A FUN 2017 SEASON FOR TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS IS CAPPED OFF WITH A MAGICAL PLAYOFF JOURNEY AT THE TOURNEY
The 2017 TP Minor Mosquito Selects proudly display their runner up hardware after their 2017 EBA Mosquito Select Tournament Championship Game versus the Annette (Black) A’s at Ravina Gardens.
The TP Minor Mosquito Selects and Annette Black line it up at the 2017 EBA Mosquito Select Tournament Championship Game postgame ceremonies.
Tournament Photos courtesy of Steve Yacht
Beneath a blanket of warm and sunny summer skies, the Annette (Black) A’s defeated the Toronto Playgrounds Minor Mosquito Selects 9-2 in 6 ½ innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Mosquito Select Tournament Championship Game action this afternoon at Ravina Gardens.
Here is a recap of the championship game courtesy of Vincent Lynch:
- Annette starter Cam (4) retired TP in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the first on three groundouts.
- The A’s would jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first. Following a leadoff single by Max (7), Cam delivered a RBI double to bring him home with the opening run of the game. After TP starter KJ (5) coaxed a pop out, the TP defence turned a double play to subdue the Annette insurgency.
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The TP Minor Mosquito Selects donning their runner up medals from the 2017 EBA Mosquito Select Tournament Championship Game.
With 1-2-3 efficiency, Athletics starter Cam would set down TP in the top of the second on a line out, fly out and a groundout.
- In the bottom of the second, the Black would explode for four runs and widen their lead to 5-0. After a pair of singles by Josh (8) and Russell (20) to open the inning, Carter (11) launched a two RBI triple to bring them homeward. Following a one out walk and stolen base by Adam (12), Carter would mosey home with a run. Subsequently, with two outs and a runner at third, Conor (19) stroked a RBI single to plate Adam. TP starter KJ would strikeout two and garner a fly out to subdue the A’s rebellion.
- After a scoreless third and fourth frame, TP scored a run in the top of the fifth to trim the deficit to four. After a leadoff walk by KJ, Jordan (1) and Sam (2) followed with back to back singles to load the bases. Emmett (19) delivered a RBI single to bring KJ home with TP’s first run. With no outs and the bases still loaded, Annette reliever Riley (3) struck out three in a row to end the threat and leave the bases stranded.
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The TP Minor Mosquito Selects celebrate the end of a fun 2017 season.
The A’s would reply with a run in the bottom of the fifth to increase their lead to 6-1. After reaching base after being hit by pitch, Conor advanced to third on a stolen base and error. Zack (9) followed with a RBI single to plate Conor. TP reliever Marshall (20) would quell the Black A’s mutiny with a groundout and a pair of strikeouts.
- TP would threaten in the top of the sixth by putting two runners on base. However, Athletics reliever Max (7) would chalk up a fly out and a two strikeouts to end the TP threat.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Annette added three insurance runs to stretch their lead to 9-1. After a one out walk, Russell stole a pair of bases to advance to third. With two outs, Dylan (6) stroked a RBI single to plate Russell. Following a walk by Adam that put two ducks on the pond, Jordan (18) powered a two RBI triple to bring Dylan and Adam home to roost. After a pair of walks that loaded the bases, TP reliever Tommy (27) would ring up a strikeout to bring the curtain down on the inning.
- Refusing to surrender, TP scored a run in the top of the seventh to trim the margin to 9-2. With two outs and a runner on second, Emmett stroked a RBI single to plate Jordan. A’s reliever Max would strike out the next batter to seal the deal on the championship.
After a rough 15-1 loss to the Annette (Black) A’s on Friday evening at Ravina Gardens to open the playoff round, TP was thrust into a do or die situation to continue their journey at the tourney. [Teams participating in this year’s EBA playoffs are operating under the double knockout formula, whereby a team with two losses would be eliminated from further contention in the tournament.]
The TP Minor Mosquito Selects chill out after their EBA Mosquito Select Tournament Championship Game at Ravina Gardens.
With grit and passion, TP answered the clarion call on Saturday morning with a nail biting 5-4 win over the TP Major Mosquito Selects to earn their first playoff victory. With the wind in their sails, TP defeated the Royal York Girls 17-4 and the Royal York Boys 14-2 in a pair of afternoon proceedings to advance into the semi-final round.
In the semi-final showdown this morning, TP defused the Bloordale Bombers 14-8 to punch a ticket into the championship final versus the Annette Black.
Despite falling short in the championship game, the TP Minor Mosquito Selects had a fun and productive regular season on the EBA Select circuit with a 5-8 record.
In addition, the TP Minor Mosquito Selects had rewarding tournament experiences competing against elite teams at the Richmond Hill Tournament, BMBI Tournament, and the Muskoka Cup tourney during the course of the 2017 season.
The TP House League Baseball Committee wishes to thank TP Minor Mosquito Select Co-Head Coaches John Gordon and Jason Koskela, and Assistant Coach Dave Badham, for their fortitude and patience in steering these talented Minor Mosquito Selects to the EBA Championship Final, and through the highs and lows of a fun and productive season.
The Committee also wishes to commend all the Minor Mosquito Select players, coaches, parents, and family members for representing the core values of the Toronto Playgrounds House League Baseball program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond during the course of the 2017 season.
WAY TO GO, TP!