TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS BATTLED TOOTH AND NAIL ALL GAME LONG; IN THE END, THE RIVERDOGS PULLED AWAY IN THE LATTER INNINGS FOR THE VICTORY
DOUBLE THREAT > Harris (19) of the TP Mosquito Selects went 2 for 2 at the plate with two doubles and 2 RBI’s against the York Riverdogs at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Beneath bright blue skies at Christie Pits Diamond 2 this evening, the York Riverdogs defeated our TP Mosquito Selects 12-5 in four innings of EBA West Select Loop action.
A gritty Toronto Playgrounds squad played hard all game long. However, Lady Luck shone on York in the latter innings as the Riverdogs pulled away for the victory.
In the top of the first, York made the most of their opportunities and scored three runs to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Mosquito Selects made two spectacular defensive plays in the inning to minimize the any additional damage:
- TP leftfielder Lachlan (28) made a cannon of a throw directly to third baseman Oliver (24) who deftly applied the tag on Anthony (42) of York (who was motoring for an extra base) to record the first out.
- Mosquito Select catcher Tillie (9) gunned down a baserunner when she rifled a throw to third baseman Oliver (24) who applied the facial tag on John (19) of the Riverdogs, who was attempting to steal third, to record the second out
Toronto Playgrounds answered back with three runs in the bottom of the first to even the match 3-3. Nigel (20) and Louis (16) respectively led off the inning with a walk and a single. Nigel came blazing home from third with the first run on a wild pitch by York starting pitcher John (19). After Oliver (24) drew a walk, Harris (19) followed with a clutch two RBI double that brought Louis and Oliver home.
Once again, York took advantage of what was served to them in the top of the second and parlayed that into three runs to retake the lead 6-3.
The Mosquito Selects gamely battled back with two in the bottom of the second to trim the York lead to 6-5. After Piper (13) and Leandro (10) had led off the inning with a pair of walks, both came motoring home on a series of errors and wild pitches by the Riverdogs.
York scored three in the top of the third to extend their lead to 9-5. The highlight of the inning was a great defensive play by TP catcher Oliver (6). With a Riverdogs baserunner attempting to steal third, ‘Oly’ threw a laser strike to third baseman Alden (7) who adroitly applied the tag on John (19) to record the third out.
In the bottom of the third, the TP offense were dispatched in 1-2-3 fashion by York reliever Anthony (42).
The Riverdogs offensive machine added three more insurance runs in the top of the fourth to widen their lead to 12-5.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, TP managed to put two runners on base (Harris hit a double and Tillie drew a walk) in an attempt to rally. But, Riverdogs reliever Anthony (3.2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 W, 8 K’s) struck out two Mosquito Selects to seal the deal for York.
The Mosquito Selects (2-2) play their next game on Sunday, June 2 at Christie Pits Diamond 2 as they host Martingrove at 6:00 p.m.