IN A FIVE ALARM BARN BURNER, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS PREVAIL OVER THE GOLD BOMBERS TO EARN ITS SEVENTH EBA ROOKIE BALL SELECT LOOP VICTORY
Fernando (1) delivers a two run home run shot in the second inning to stake TP to an early 2-0 lead over the Bloordale Gold at Christie Pits Diamond 3. With the bases loaded, Fernando would subsequently launch a Grand Slam home run blast during TP’s eleven run uprising in third inning. In three at bats, Fernando went 2 for 3 [two home runs] to power the TP attack with two runs scored and six RBI’s against the Gold Bombers.
The high octane proceeding was a very entertaining barn burner that was contested between two talented teams. In the end, a gritty TP squad fended off a furious late comeback attempt by the pesky Gold Bombers to hang on for the slender tenderloin victory.
Jamie (20) delivers a two RBI single to bring home a pair of insurance runs for TP in the fourth inning. In the end, Jamie’s big hit brought home TP’s eventual winning run over Bloordale. In three at bats, Jamie went 2 for 3 [double, single] to spark the TP offence with a run scored and four RBI’s.
Subsequently, with two outs, the TP defence would rise to occasion in the first frame to deny the Gold Bombers a run. With runners on second and first, Drew (5) slashed a liner to left. As Sam made the turn at third base to barrel homeward, left fielder Qayam (11) retrieved the ball and made a quick relay throw to third baseman Jamie (20). With Sam closing in on home plate, Jamie pivoted and made a lightning toss to catcher Beckett (2), who tagged out Sam to ring up the sweet 7-5-2 putout.
TP would answer back with three in the bottom portion of the first frame to take a 3-1 lead. With two ducks on the pond, Jamie delivered a clutch two out two RBI double to bring Qayam and Willy (6) home and give TP the lead. A Bloordale error on the play would allow Jamie to move up to third. Ethan (12) followed with a RBI single that brought Jamie home to crow.
After the TP defence shut down the Gold Bombers offence in the top half of the second, TP tallied a pair in the bottom of the inning to widen their advantage to 5-1. Following a leadoff double by Nathan (29), Fernando (1) delivered a grace under pressure two out two run home run blast.
Nathan (29) slides into second with a double in the second inning. In three at bats, Nathan went 3 for 3 [double, two singles] at the plate with two runs scored.
With authority, TP sent a conga line procession of fourteen batters to the dish in the bottom half of the third as they unleashed a eleven hit fusillade and exploded for eleven runs to increase their lead to 16-2. Following back to back singles by Rohan (19) and Ben (8) to open the inning, Qayam and Michael (9) followed with respective RBI singles to bring Rohan and Ben home.
Subsequently, with two outs and the bases loaded, Noah (10) delivered a two RBI single that brought Michael and Willy home.
After a single by Nathan reloaded the bases, Holden (25) and Theo (3) followed with respective RBI singles to plate Ethan and Noah.
With the bases still juiced to the gills, Fernando stepped into the batter’s box and launched a woolly mammoth Grand Slam home run blast that brought home four more runs.
To cap off the big inning, Beckett delivered a triple and came homeward on a Gold Bombers faux pas.
Sam (18) delivers a two RBI single during Bloordale’s two run spurt in the fifth frame. In four at bats, Sam went 3 for 4 [double, two singles] to spark the Gold Bombers attack with a run scored and four RBI’s.
In the bottom of the fourth, TP replied with three insurance runs to increase their cushion to 19-14. After Qayam singled and advanced to second on a Bloordale error, Michael (9) stroked a one out RBI single to bring Qayam home.
Following a double by Willy that put two runners aboard, Jamie delivered a two RBI single that brought Michael and Willy home to do the shimmy, shimmy, shake.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Gold Bombers scored two in the top of the fifth to close the gap to 19-16. With two runners on base, Sam delivered a clutch two out two RBI single to bring Marcus (29) and Brady home with the bacon.
After TP was held off the scoring ledger in the bottom of the fifth, Bloordale donned their rally caps in the top half of the sixth and rallied for a pair to shave the shortfall to one. With one out, Drew would take advantage of a TP faux pas to score a run. Subsequently, Charlie (27) would stroke a RBI single to plate Braden B.
However, the Gold Bombers comeback bid fell short as TP hung on by their chinny, chin, chins for the razor thin victory.
The TP Rookie Ball Selects (7-0) continue their EBA Rookie Ball Select homestand at Christie Pits Diamond 3 next Tuesday (June 19) when they host the Weston Wolverines at 6:30 p.m.
Pictures from the TP Rookie Ball Select and Bloordale Gold EBA Rookie Ball Select Loop Regular Season Game at Christie Pits Diamond 3 on June 12, 2018.