WITH ICE COLD RESOLVE, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS DEEP FREEZE THE WHITE SOX AT MARTINGROVE GARDENS PARK TO EARN THEIR FIRST EBA MOSQUITO SELECT LOOP VICTORY ON MOTHER’S DAY
Beneath an overcast ceiling of chilly willy skies, the Toronto Playgrounds Minor Mosquito Selects defeated the Martingrove Grey 27-2 in two innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Mosquito Select Loop action this afternoon at Martingrove Gardens.
As a Mother’s Day bonus, here are two game summaries of the proceedings for your reading pleasure:
AN “I STARTED SOMETHING I COULDN’T FINISH” DAY AT THE BALLPARK by Rob Ball
On a Sunday afternoon meant more for a Smiths song than a baseball game, the TP Minor Mosquito Selects showed the resiliency that seems to be their calling card so far in this season.
In the top of the first inning , the Martingrove pitchers struggled in the “Heaven I Know I’m Miserable Now” cold to throw strikes, resulting in a number of TP walks, timely hits by Ben (15) and Chase (23), and a shot to centre field by Payton (3).
Despite a couple of baserunning mistakes (due to fact that this was the boys first 2019 road game experience), the Minors staked themselves to an early 10-0 lead.
In the bottom of the first, TP starter Julian (77) took the mound under frigid weather in his Mosquito Select pitching debut, stating he might only make it through a few batters because he was unable to securely grip the ball. Despite the elements, Julian persevered, with one assist from his defence and two strikeouts, the latter with the bases loaded.
The White Sox “Oscillate Wildly” walkfest continued in the top half of the second frame, with scattered hits by TP batters Alex (65), Chase and Oliver (35). When the dust had finally settled, TP had tallied another seventeen runs and extended their lead to 27-0.
Just like Julian, TP reliever Sawyer (43), made his first ever Mosquito Select game pitching appearance in the bottom of the second. After a couple of walks, Sawyer found the groove and rang up two strikeouts.
The third out of the second frame came on pop fly hit to TP shortstop Charles (11). Charles was about to corral the ball when he collided with the Martingrove baserunner who was going to third. But Alex, who is always engaged in the proceedings, came flying in like a gazelle to grab the ball and tag the White Sox runner and bring the curtain down on the inning.
When Martingrove decided not to take the field in the third inning, the game was called.
Kudos to the diehard TP parents who stayed through the terrible weather at Martingrove Gardens. And an extra special kudos goes to the moms who made it out on Mother’s Day to cheer their boys on. Their love for the game was greatly appreciated and meant a ton to the boys!
A “COLD AS ICE” DAY ON THE FIELD OF DREAMS by Beth Areseneau
In a Mother’s Day Special, the TP Minor Mosquito Selects played two innings of EBA Select Loop Baseball versus the Martingrove Grey under frigid mid afternoon conditions at Martingrove Gardens.
Simply put: “It was sooooooooo freezing!”
TP jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the top of the first. The offense was spearheaded by a solid single by leadoff hitter Oliver (35); two key hits from Chase (23) and two RBI’s delivered by Alex (65).
The Matingrove defence made a heads up double play in the first to curb the TP momentum.
In the bottom of the first, TP starter Julian (77) blanked the Grey with two strikeouts and a 1-3 throw to first baseman Chase (23).
The TP offensive juggernaut continued in the top of the second when they added seventeen to their tally and stretched their advantage to 27-0. Payton (3) and Ben (15) keyed the attack with a pair of doubles. Both were excellent hits. Utilizing their baserunning prowess, Henry, Hudson (18) and Chase all stole home.
TP reliever Sawyer (43) entered the fray in the second frame and chalked up two strikeouts against the White Sox.
And watching Henry K (13) trying to keep warm in the outfield was very entertaining. Hudson and Alex couldn’t stop smiling!
The TP Minor Mosquito Selects (1-1) pay a return visit to Martingrove Gardens next Sunday (May 19) for an EBA Mosquito Select Loop game against the Martingrove White at 6:00 p.m.