PEEWEE > Orioles Edge Jays 12-11 In Extra Inning Marathon

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IN AN EPIC PEEWEE DIVISION SEMI-FINAL BATTLE ROYALE THAT WENT TWO EXTRA INNINGS, THE O’s PREAILED OVER THE JAYS IN THE EIGHTH INNING TO ADVANCE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 

SEIZING THE DAY > With the score knotted at 11-11 and the winning run on base in the bottom of the eighth, ‘Fondue’ Simon (14) delivered a grace under pressure RBI double that allowed ‘Spitz’ Lukas (10) to blaze home from second and score the Orioles winning run over the Jays in the second extra inning at Christie Pits Diamond 2.

Under the lights on a serene September evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2, the Orioles edged the Jays 12-11 in an epic eight inning Peewee Division Semi-Final showdown.

In what was possibly the best Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Peewee Division semi-final game ever played, it was a titanic rock ’em sock ’em battle royale between two talented and well coached teams from beginning to end.

With the score deadlocked at 11-11 in the second extra inning, ‘Spitz’ Lukas (10) doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth.

‘Fondue’ Simon (14) followed with a clutch RBI double to bring Spitz home with the O’s winning run.

Here are the highlights:

  • Orioles starter ‘Fondue’ Simon (14) struck out two in the top of the first to keep the Jays in their cage and off the scoresheet.
  • The O’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With ‘Iceman’ Michael (3) on base, Fondue connected on an RBI double to bring the Iceman home.
  • Jays starter Alex (9) found the groove in the first and mowed down two Orioles while allowing only one run.
  • In the top of the second, Ben the ‘Matrix’ (6) struck out a pair to keep the Jays off the board.
  • Jays reliever Nathan (12) and his defense kept the O’s off the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. The inning was highlighted by a pair of consecutive 9-3 putouts made by Jays right fielder Alex to first baseman Angus (1).
  • The Jays offense took flight in the top of the third when they scored four to surge ahead 4-1. With two Jays on base, Sam (7) stroked a RBI single to bring home Yuki (4) and Karl (5). Subsequently, an Orioles error would allow Sam to score from third. With two outs and the bases loaded, Nathan hit a RBI single to bring in Jeremy (15).
  • With backing from his teammates, Nathan struck out one to keep the O’s off the board in the bottom of the third. With his “mother’s hands”, Jays shortstop Max (11) made a great throw to first baseman Jack (3) to record the first out of the inning.
  • Seizing the winds of opportunity, the Jays made hay of six walks and scored four in the top of the fourth to widen their advantage to 8-1. With no outs and two Jays on base, Yuki stroked a RBI single to bring home Jack. Then the O’s committed a major error that allowed Cam (8) and Yuki to motor home safely. Later, with one out and the bases juiced, Jeremy drew a RBI walk to bring home Karl.
  • Trailing 8-1, and with their season on the line, the dormant heartbeat of the top seeded Orioles offense finally surged to life in the bottom of the fourth as they scored four to trim the deficit to three. After a leadoff double by Spitz, Fondue delivered the Spitz home with a RBI single. After stealing third, a balk by the Jays would allow the Fondue to come home. Subsequently, with a pair of O’s on base at third and second and nobody out, ‘Scoop’ Maghnus (9) hit a RBI single to bring home Sacha the “Professor’ (5). A Jays error would allow Gutshot to saunter home.
  • In the top of the fifth, the Jays tacked on an insurance run to increase their lead to 9-5. With a Jays runner on base, Nathan stoked a RBI single to bring Beca (6) home.
  • O’s reliever ‘J-Rock’ Jamie (2) threw a strong fifth where he allowed only a run while striking out one. J-Rock also helped his own cause by completing the rarely seen 1-8 pickoff to record the second out of the inning. J-Rock made a laser throw to centre fielder Fondue (who had snuck all the way to second base from centre) to catch a wayfaring Jays base runner off base.
  • The Orioles rallied for another two runs in the bottom of the fifth to trim the shortfall to two. With one out and an O on second, Joseph the ‘Diamond Cutter’ (1) delivered a RBI single to score ‘B-Sizzle’ Brian (12). The Matrix would follow late with a RBI  sacrifice hit that brought the Diamond Cutter home.
  • Jays reliever Angus snuffed out the Orioles uprising in the fifth with a two K effort.
  • J-Roc mowed down a pair of Jays to keep them off the scoring ledger in the top of the sixth.
  • Down 9-7, with two outs and two Orioles on base, the Professor crunched a clutch two RBI double to the nether regions of the outfield in the bottom of the sixth to bring home the Iceman and Fondue and tie the proceedings.
  • With the potential winning run standing only seventy-five feet away at third, Jays closer recorded his second strikeout of the inning to keep the game tied 9-9 and send the game to extra innings.
  • The Jays made the most of their opportunities in the top of the seventh as they scored a pair to take the lead 11-9. With one out and the bases loaded, Beca took one for the team when she was hit by a pitch that allowed Max to come home from third with the go ahead run. Later, with two outs and the bases still juiced, Nathan garnered a RBI walk to score Jeremy.
  • Shaken, but not stirred, the O’s Fondue mowed down a pair in the seventh of to extinguish the Jays offensive charge.
  • With their backs to the wall, the Orioles rallied for a pair in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game 11-11. With one out and the bases overflowing with O’s, the Matrix delivered a RBI single to bring home ‘Lazer Wolf’ Astrid (11) and make it a one run game. Later, with two outs, ‘Ribeye’ Eric (13) drew a clutch bases loaded walk to bring the Diamond Cutter home with the tying run.
  • With the game on the line, the Jays turned a sizzling 5-3 defensive putout to record the third out and force another extra inning.
  • In the top the eighth, O’s reliever Professor mowed down a pair to keep the Jays off the scoreboard.
  • At this juncture, Spitz and Fondue awaited their moment with destiny in the bottom of the eighth.
  • As a footnote, Diamond 2 was plunged into pitch darkness near the end of the consolation trophy presentation to the Jays when the City of Toronto timers at Christie Pits kicked in and turned off the power to the overhead lights that illuminate the baseball diamond.

The TP Baseball Committee wishes to commend Jays Head Coach Matt Byrnes and Assistant Coaches Gordon MacLeod and Rebecca Wells Jopling, and all the Jays players on a great season.

The Orioles advance to the Peewee Division Championship Game on Thursday, September 12 [Christie Pits Diamond 2 at 7:45 p.m.] to play against the winner of  Tuesday’s Lizzies and Royals semi-final game.