DOWN 15-12, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS RALLY WITH FOUR RUNS IN THE FINAL INNING TO PREVAIL OVER THE A’s IN AN EPIC BATTLE AT CHRISTIE PITS TO EARN THEIR TENTH EBA SELECT VICTORY OF THE SEASON
Deadlocked 15-15 and with the bases loaded, Charlie C. (11) delivers a RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning that propels TP to a 16-15 EBA Rookie Ball Select victory over the Annette A’s at Christie Pits Diamond 3. In five at bats, Charlie C. went 3 for 5 at the dish with three RBI’s.
Adam (20) delivers a two RBI double during TP’s five run uprising in the first inning. In five at bats, Adam went 5 for 5 [double, four singles] to power the TP attack with two runs scored and six RBI’s against the A’s.
With the EBA Rookie Ball Select Tournament on the horizon, there was a playoff crackle in the air as these two evenly matched and talented teams took to the diamond. In the end, the proceeding was an epic battle and riveting nail biter that went down to the final at bat.
A gritty TP squad would rally for four in the bottom of the seventh to overtake a pesky Athletics team, which had gamely battled back with six runs in the top half of the inning to erase a 12-9 deficit and take a short lived lead.
Trailing 15-12, TP began its comeback with methodical precision in the final frame as Arlo (32), Duncan (14) and Dylan S. (10) delivered respective singles to lead off the inning and load the bases. Charlie Z. (8), Adam (20) and Keith (21) followed with a series of RBI singles that allowed Arlo, Duncan and Dylan S. to come homeward and tie the game.
Benjamin (19) eludes the tag attempt of TP catcher Charlie Z. (8) to slide home with Annette’s second run in the fourth inning.
With no outs and the bases loaded, Charlie C. (8) slashed a scorcher between first and second base. As Charlie Z. charged homeward from third, the Annette second baseman fielded the ball and made a lightning throw home. In a chitty, chitty, bang, bang play at the dish, Charlie Z. just managed to beat the tag of the A’s catcher and slide home safely with TP’s winning run.
In the top of the first, the TP defence stymied Annette’s offensive momentum via a pop up and a pair of groundouts to keep the A’s off the scoring ledger.
Unleashing a six hit fusillade, TP would stake itself to an early 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After Cooper (3) led off the frame with a single, Duncan stroked a one out single that put two mallards on the lake. Dylan S. followed with a RBI single that brought Cooper home with the opening run of the game.
With two runners on base, Charlie Z. connected for a RBI double to bring Duncan home.
Charlie Z. (8) strokes a RBI single in the second frame. In five at bats, Charlie Z. went 5 for 5 [double, four singles] at the dish to spark the TP offence with three runs scored and three RBI’s versus Annette.
Subsequently, with two outs and a runner on base, Charlie C. stroked a RBI single to plate Adam.
After Annette went down quietly in the top half of the second, TP added three more runs in the bottom of the inning to extend its lead to 8-0. Following respective singles by Cooper, Duncan and Dylan S. that loaded the bases, Charlie Z. delivered a grace under pressure two out RBI single to bring Cooper home.
With the bases still juiced, Adam followed with a clutch two RBI single that allowed Duncan and Dylan S. to come home to roost.
The Annette defence would turn in a pretty putout play during the inning when left fielder Aidan (7) made a nice over the head catch to rob Joel (2) of a hit and chalk up the first out.
Nick (9) launches a two RBI double during Annette’s four run surge in the sixth inning. In five at bats, Nick sparked the A’s by going 4 for 5 at the plate with two runs scored and three RBI’s.
Playing some solid D, the TP defence would keep the A’s off the scoresheet in the top of the third on a pair of groundouts and a pop out.
TP would tally a run in the bottom of the third to increase its advantage to 9-0. Following a pair of one out singles by Cody (4) and Joel that put two aboard, Cooper stroked a RBI single to plate Cody.
The Annette offence would awaken from their slumber in the top of the fourth as they scored a pair to trim the deficit to seven. After Brock (44) and Benjamin (19) led off the inning with respective singles that put two ducks on the pond, Aidan delivered a one out two RBI single to bring them home.
In the bottom of the fourth, TP answered back with three to stretch its lead to 12-2. Following a leadoff double by Dylan S., Charlie Z. singled to put two aboard. Adam followed with a RBI single to plate Dylan S.
After taking the throw from centre fielder Cody (4), TP second baseman Charlie C. (11) tags out Annette’s Aidan (7) to thwart his bid to stretch his single into a double in the sixth inning.
With no outs and two runners on base, Keith and Charlie C. delivered respective RBI singles that allowed Charlie Z. and Adam to come homeward.
Annette would tally three runs in the top of the fifth and close the margin to 12-5. Following back to back singles by Thomas (11) and Nick (9) to lead off the inning and put two aboard, Jack (1) stroked a RBI single to bring Thomas home. Brock would follow and hit into a fielder’s choice that erased Jack at second and brought Nick home. Subsequently, after advancing to third, Brock would bolt home on a TP error.
The A’s defence would stymie TP’s offensive momentum in the bottom of the fifth via a pop out and a pair of groundouts to keep them off the scoring abacus.
Refusing to surrender, Annette uncorked a six hit attack in the top of the sixth and scored four to trim the gap to 12-9. With two outs and a runner on base, Keaton (4) delivered RBI single to bring Kai S. (10) home.
Following a single by Thomas that put two otters on the pond, Nick stroked a two RBI double that brought Keaton and Thomas home. Jack followed with a RBI single to plate Nick.
Players from Annette and TP line it up and congratulate each other on a great game.
After TP went down quietly in the bottom of the sixth, Annette unleashed another six hit barrage in the top of the seventh to score six runs and take a 15-12 lead. With one aboard, Aidan delivered a one out RBI single to bring Benjamin home.
Following a single by Kai S. that put two runners on base, Sebastian (2) hit a ball back towards the pitching machine. An ensuing TP faux pas on the play would allow Sebastian to reach first safely, advance Kai S. to third, and bring Aidan home to roost.
With two swans on the lake, Keaton stroked a RBI single that brought Kai S. home with the tying run. Thomas followed quickly with a RBI single to deliver Sebastian home with the go ahead run.
Still, with two aboard, Nick stroked a RBI single to plate Keaton. Jack followed with a groundout that allowed Thomas to come homeward bound with another run.
And it was at this juncture in the proceedings where TP came up to bat in the bottom half of the seventh and came face to face with their moment with destiny.
The TP Major Rookie Ball Selects (10-2) continue their EBA Select homestand at Christie Pits Diamond 3 on Tuesday, August 8 when they host the Royal York (Girl) Cardinals at 6:30 p.m.