FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, THE RIVERDOGS ENTER THE SANDMAN AT CHRISTIE PITS TO EARN A METALLICA EBA SELECT VICTORY OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS
Sam (2) delivers a two RBI single for TP in the second inning during an EBA Mosquito Select game against York Green at Christie Pits Diamond 2. In four at bats, Sam went 2 for 4 against the Riverdogs with a run scored and three RBI’s.
Beneath a layer of warm midsummer skies, the York Riverdogs defeated the Toronto Playgrounds Major Mosquito Selects 22-8 in five innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Select action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
The proceeding was an entertaining affair that was contested between two talented teams. In a nutshell, the game was a relatively close one until the Riverdogs pulled away with a major offensive surge in the final frame to take home the prize.
York jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the top of the first. After Ricky (1) led off the game with a double, Luca (10) singled to put two aboard. As Luca slid into second with a steal, the TP defence would commit an error that allowed Luca to advance to third and Ricky to motor home with the opening run of the game. Luca followed with a steal of home to score another run.
Following a single by Michael (4), Daniel (15) stroked a RBI double to bring him home to crow. After a single by George (7), the TP defence committed a faux pas that allowed Daniel to come home with a run.
Subsequently, with one out and two runners on base, George would come home to roost on a dropped third strike to Lucas (2).
TP starter Eitan (19) would strike out two in the first to subdue the Riverdogs uprising.
In the bottom of the first, TP would threaten by loading the bases on walks to Julius (11), Noah (3) and Daniel (7). However, York starter Michael (4) would induce a fly out, groundout and a strike out to end the threat and leave the TP base runners stranded.
The Riverdogs would tack on a run in the top of the second to widen their lead to 6-0. After drawing a one out walk, Ethan (5) stole a pair of bases to move to third. Shane (11) followed with a groundout to first that allowed Ethan to come homeward.
TP reliever Daniel (7) would ring up a pair of groundouts and a popup in the second to quell the York rebellion.
With two outs, TP first baseman Noah battled the glare of the setting sun to make a nice catch on a pop up off the bat of Michael for the third out.
The TP offence surged to life in the bottom of the second as they scored three to trim the deficit to three. After Eitan drew a leadoff walk, Nolan (13) and Simon (10) followed with respective walks to load the bases. Elliot (34) would stroke a RBI single to bring Eitan home with TP’s first run of the game.
With two outs and two mallards on the lake, Sam (2) delivered a two RBI single to bring home Nolan and Simon.
York starter Michael would strike out two in the second to extinguish the TP insurgency.
In the top of the third, the Riverdogs would tally another pair to widen their advantage to 8-3. With the bases loaded, Darren (3) delivered a two RBI single to plate George and Joseph (6).
TP reliever Daniel would strike out two in the third to douse the York mutiny.
With two outs and two Riverdogs on base at third and second, Shamar (13) slashed a liner to right field. As York’s base runners zoomed homeward, TP right fielder Elliot collected the ball and fired a rocket to first baseman Sam to ring up the 9-3 putout and end the threat.
York reliever Lucas (2) would register a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the bottom of the third to keep TP off the scoring ledger.
The Riverdogs would add three in the top of the fourth to increase their lead to 11-3. With two aboard, Luca would deliver a one out groundout to first that allowed Ethan to score.
Subsequently, with two outs, Ricky would come homeward on a TP error and Michael would come home on a dropped third strike to George.
TP reliever Sam (2) would coax a pair of groundouts and ring up a strikeout in the fourth to subdue the York rebellion.
Refusing to surrender, TP would rally with five in the bottom of the fourth to close the margin to 11-8. After Simon stroked a one out single, Elliot followed with a single that put two ducks on the pond. Upon Elliot’s steal of second base, York’s defence committed a faux pas that allowed Elliot to advance to third and Simon to blaze home with a run.
Following a walk to Julius that put two aboard, Sam delivered a two RBI single to bring Elliot homeward.
After a walk to Noah loaded the bases, Daniel and Josh (20) drew back to back RBI walks that plated Julius and Sam. As Eitan hit into an infield fly play with the bases still juiced to the gills, Noah bolted home (at his own risk) from third to score another TP run.
With two outs, York reliever Ethan (5) rung up a strikeout to bring the curtain down on the fourth frame.
With ferocity, the Riverdogs would unleash a nine hit barrage in the top of the fifth and score eleven insurance runs to salt the game away.
TP would put two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth in a final comeback bid. However, York reliever Ethan would tally a groundout, popup and fly out to seal the deal on the Riverdogs victory.
The TP Major Mosquito Selects (3-5) travel to Pelmo Park next Sunday, July 23 to battle the Weston Wolverines at 6:00 p.m.