THE METS PREVAIL OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS IN A PLAYOFF NAIL BITER AT RIVER OAKS PARK
Tournament Summary and Photos courtesy of Bill Evans
Beneath a thick blanket of hot, hazy and humid skies, the Milton Mets edged the Toronto Playgrounds Bantam Selects 4-3 in a 6 ½ inning Canada Day Classic Tournament Semi-Final Elimination Round Game this morning at River Oaks Park.
The semi-final proceeding was a low scoring and well played affair where runs came at a premium. TP held the lead until the bottom of the sixth frame when Milton rallied to take a one run lead. In the top of the seventh, the pesky Mets retired a gritty TP squad to take the prize and advance to a championship game showdown against the Oakville Whitecaps.
TP starter Alden (7) used a vexing formula of eighty-six pitches to keep the potent Mets batting order in check for the vast majority of the game. Subsequently, TP reliever Aaron (54) entered the fray and contributed a strong eighteen pitch effort. Francis (2) was named TP’s MVP of the game for his leadoff fifteen pitch at bat which knocked Milton’s pitcher off his game.
Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, TP Bantam Select Assistant Coach Bill Evans was effusive in his praise for the team’s semi-final game performance: “It was the best game these young men have played in all the years that I have had the privilege to be their coach. We are all so very proud of their efforts. A one run loss to the defending provincial champions is a major accomplishment.”
TP began its journey at the Oakville Whitecaps hosted tourney on Friday night with a 16-10 victory over the Oakville A’s at River Oaks Park. TP starter Harris (12) utilized a repertoire of eighty-eight pitches to earn the win. TP reliever Jake (27) used a thirty-three pitch formulation to seal the deal and pick up the save. On the offensive ledger, Alden (7) powered the TP attack at the dish with four RBI’s on a double and a single. For his key offensive contribution, Alden was named the team’s MVP of the game.
With the wind in its sails, TP rolled to a 10-0 victory over the Sudbury Jr. Voyageurs early on Saturday afternoon at the Neyagawa North Diamond to earn its second round robin victory. TP starter Ben (4) blanked the potent Voyageurs batting order with a fifty-two pitch outing to pick up the win. Accordingly, Ben was named MVP of the game for his stellar effort on the mound.
Under the glare of a hotter than June sun, TP capped off their big Saturday with a nail biting come from behind 11-8 victory over the Peterborough Tigers at the Neyagawa North Diamond to earn their third round robin victory. Trailing all game long, TP erased an 8-4 deficit with a dramatic seven run rally in the fifth inning to take home the prize. Piper (13) sparked the TP comeback with a deep dish pizza RBI double that almost cleared the fence. TP starter Ben, along with relievers Aaron (54) and Jamie (52) combined in a 118-pitch effort to allow TP to finish the round robin portion of the tourney undefeated. For rallying the team, Piper was named the MVP of the game.
Finishing the round robin with a stellar 3-0 record, TP qualified for the playoff elimination phase of the Canada Day Classic Tournament.
The TP Baseball Committee wishes to thank TP Bantam Select Head Coaches Tim Lawrence and Aidan McClory; Assistant Coaches Bill Evans and Sadie Whitfield-Smith, for their fortitude and patience in steering these talented Bantam Selects to the semi-final round of the Canada Day Classic Tournament and through the highs and lows of the 2018 season.
The Committee also wishes to commend all the Bantam Select players, coaches, parents, and family members for representing the core values of the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond during the course of the 2018 season.
WAY TO GO, TP!