IN A BARNBURNER, THE ATHLETICS FEND OFF TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS IN THE FINAL INNING TO PREVAIL FOR THE EBA SELECT VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
Under a blanket of warm and hazy summer skies, the Annette A’s defeated our Toronto Playgrounds Minor Peewee Selects 14-12 in three innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Select action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Annette sent eleven batters to the plate in the top of the first to score a half dozen runs and stake themselves to an early 6-0 lead. The A’s offensive attack was keyed by a RBI single by Seamus (20), a RBI double by Cole (23), a run scoring sacrifice hit from Kyle (22), and a 3 RBI bases loaded triple from Colin (6).
In the bottom of the first, TP sent a conga line of fourteen batters to the dish to feast upon a Mandarin buffet serving of seven walks doled out by the A’s, as they replied with eight runs to take an 8-6 lead.
After Lucas (47) and Jude (3) drew back to back walks to put two aboard, Javert (19) stroked a one out RBI single that allowed Lucas to scoot home with TP’s first run of the game. With two ducks on the pond, Felix (9) followed with a RBI single to plate Jude.
With two outs and the bases loaded [after Dylan’s (24) single and Max’s (20) fielder’s choice], a hit batsman and five walks [respective bases loaded RBI walks from Jackson (8), James (6), Lucas, Jude & Javert, plus Rory who was hit by pitch] allowed TP to score another six to close out the frame.
However, the gritty Athletics would answer back with three in the top of the second to retake the lead 9-8. After Charlie (17) singled and Seamus drew a walk to put two A’s aboard, Cole delivered a one out 2 RBI double that allowed them to come homeward bound and deadlock the proceedings.
Subsequently, with the bases loaded, Kyle would hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Cole to scoot home from third with Annette’s go ahead run.
With a little help from his fiends, Annette reliever Noah (21) would strike out one in the bottom of the second to keep TP off the scoreboard.
On a mission, the A’s would tally another five insurance runs in the top of the third to widen their lead to 14-8. After Ryan (2) tripled to lead off the frame, Liam (15) drew a walk to put two mallards on the lake. Luca (24) followed with a run scoring sacrifice hit that plated Ryan. Charlie would follow with a RBI single that allowed Liam to come homeward bound.
Following a single by Cole that put two Athletics on the basepaths, Morgan (35) would crank a two out 2 RBI single that allowed Liam and Charlie to come home to roost. Subsequently, with two aboard, Kyle delivered a RBI single to bring Morgan home.
TP reliever Lucas (47) would strike out two in the third to quell the Annette insurrection.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, TP would gamely rally for four in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to two. After James, Lucas and Jude opened the frame with consecutive walks to load the bases, Javert delivered a RBI single that allowed James to come home. With the bases still juiced to the gills, Felix would follow with a run scoring sacrifice hit to deliver Lucas home.
After Dylan drew a walk to reload the bases, Max and Jackson followed with respective one out RBI walks to bring Jude and Javert home and make it a two run game.
However, with the bases loaded, Annette closer Colin (6) would ring up a strikeout and induce TP to hit into a fielder’s choice to bring the curtain down on the inning and seal the deal on a hard fought victory.
The TP Minor Peewee Selects (3-6) will play their next EBA Select game on Wednesday, July 13 when they host the York Gold at Christie Pits Diamond 2 at 6:30 p.m.