THE MAJESTIC ROYALS PREVAIL OVER THE NITTY GRITTY HALOS TO TAKE THE PRIZE AT CHRISTIE PITS
The victorious Royals raise the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Mosquito Division Championship Trophy at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Beneath a picturesque canvas of glorious blue and sunny skies, the Royals defeated the Angels 5-2 in five exciting innings this morning at Christie Pits Diamond 2 to win the 2015 Toronto Playgrounds Mosquito Division Championship.
After taking the throw from catcher Taio, Angels third baseman Cooper (2) tags out Royals base runner Callum (13) in the first inning,
The proceeding was a very entertaining and well played affair contested between two talented and well coached teams. In their quest for the prize, both the Angels and Royals displayed strong pitching (both bullpens combined for a total of twenty strikeouts) and stellar defense in a relatively low scoring game where runs came at a premium.
In the end, the difference in the contest was the ability of the Royals to convert on the offensive opportunities presented to them at key junctures of the game that allowed them to prevail over the Halos for the win.
The Angels defense shone in the top of the first when they retired the Royals in 1-2-3 fashion to keep them off the scoresheet. Halos starter Maggie (4) coaxed the first two Royals into a pair of 6-3 groundouts that were chalked up between the dynamic tandem of shortstop Jona (15) and first baseman Jack (10).
After a two out single and a stolen base, Callum (13) made a bid to steal third. However, Angels catcher Taio (1) made a rocket throw to third baseman Cooper (2), who applied the tag on a sliding Callum to chalk up the third out of the inning.
After taking a throw from pitcher Cooper (2), Angels catcher Maggie (4) tags out a sliding Kaenoa (3) of the Royals in the second inning.
The Angels would jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After drawing a lead off walk and moving to second on a wild pitch, Jack would steal third. On the play, the Royals would commit an error that allowed Jack to motor home with the opening run of the game.
With two Halos on base, Royals starter James (6) would find the groove and strike out three to leave them stranded and quell the Angels insurgency.
Angels reliever Cooper (2) would strike out one in the top of the second to keep the Royals off the scoring ledger and in the throne room.
The Halos D would also shine brightly on two plays in the inning. After reaching base on a Halos error, Kaenoa (3) would steal second. However, an Angels overthrow on the play would allow Kaenoa to advance to third and make a bid to motor homeward. After he retrieved the wayward ball, Cooper would make a laser throw to catcher Maggie, who applied the tag on a sliding Kaenoa record the first out.
On the next play, Angels first baseman Matthew (11) would battle the glare of the morning sun to make a nice catch of a mile high pop up off the bat of Jackson (8) in foul territory to ring up the second out of the inning.
Mekai (14) delivers a RBI single in the third inning gives the Royals a 2-1 lead. Subsequently, Mekai would come around and steal home to give the Royals their winning run over the Angels. In two at bats, Mekai sparked the Royals offense by going 2 for 2 with two runs scored and a RBI.
Royals southpaw reliever Lewis (11) would strike out a pair in the bottom of the second to keep the Angels off the scoreboard and ensconced at the pearly gates.
The Royals D shone in the second when shortstop Jashan (9) and first baseman Kaenoa hooked up on a pretty 6-3 putout to chalk up the first out of the inning.
In the top of the third, the Royals offensive machine stirred to life as they scored three to take a 3-1 lead. After Jashan and Jade (1) drew back to back walks to lead off the inning, the Royals executed a double steal to move them respectively to third and second. Subsequently, the Angels would uncork a wild pitch that allowed Jade to move up to third and Jashan to blaze home with the tying run.
At this juncture, Mekai (14) delivered a RBI single that allowed Jade to motor home with the go ahead run.
After reaching third on a wild pitch and a stolen base, Mekai would brazenly steal home to give the Royals another run.
Angels reliever Max (12) would strike out the next three batters to diffuse the Royals insurrection.
Royals reliever Jashan (9) would strike out two in the bottom of the third to keep the Halos off the scoring abacus and in the pews.
After taking the throw from pitcher James (6), Royals catcher Jackson (8) tags out Taio (1) at home plate to thwart his bid to steal home and score the tying run in the fourth inning.
The Royals would threaten in the top of the fourth by loading the bases on a pair of singles and a hit batsman. However, Angels reliever Cooper found his rhythm and struck out three to leave the bases stranded and the Royals off the scoresheet and in the gallows.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Angels would score one to trim the margin to 3-2. After Maggie reached base on a one out single, Taio powered a RBI triple to bring her home and make it a one run game.
After Royals pitcher James recorded his second strikeout, Taio bolted from third in a bold bid to steal home and tie the game. However, James made a lightning throw to catcher Jackson, who tagged Taio out in a chitty chitty bang bang play at the plate to bring the curtain down on the inning.
The Royals would pad their treasury with a pair of insurance runs in the top of the fifth to stretch their lead to 5-2. With two outs and runners at third and second, the Royals pulled off a daring double steal that advanced Mekai to second and brought Jashan home to roost. Subsequently, Mekai would bolt home with grand theft flair to plate another run.
Angels pitcher Maggie would strike out two in the fifth to extinguish the Royals insurrection.
Royals reliever Lewis would strike out three in the bottom of the fifth to seal the deal on the Royals championship victory.