FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, THE CARDINALS PREVAIL OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS IN A DOG DAYS OF SUMMER EBA 13U SELECT LOOP AFFAIR AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath the shimmer of blue midsummer skies, the Royal York Girls defeated the Toronto Playgrounds 13U Red Selects 18-1 in four innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 13U Select Loop action this afternoon at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
In the top of the first, the Royal York Girls staked themselves to an early 5-0 lead. After a leadoff walk by Kylie (11), Logan (10) singled to put two aboard. With runners on third and second, Alejandra (22) delivered a two RBI hit to bring Kylie and Logan home with the opening runs of the game.
After Alejandra had brazenly swiped her way around the horn to third base, Meg (6) hit into a one out groundout that allowed Alejandra to score.
Following a two out double by Bea (74), Alyssa (9) stroked a clutch RBI single that brought Bea home to the nest.
With Alyssa on third base following a pair of derring-do steals, Effie (4) connected for a RBI hit that allowed Alyssa to fly home with the Cardinals fifth run.
In a nitty gritty effort, TP starter Will (5) tallied a groundout, strikeout and fly out to end the Royal York Girls rebellion in the first inning.
Toronto Playgrounds replied with a run in the bottom portion of the first to trim the margin to 5-1. After a leadoff single, Will turned on the afterburners as he stole second base. Following a groundout by Finn (11) that advanced Will to third, Reuben delivered a RBI hit that brought Will home with TP’s first run.
Unfazed, Royal York Girls starter Effie chalked up a pair of groundouts and a strikeout in the first frame to pacify the TP insurgency.
The Royal York Girls scored a pair in the top of the second to extend their lead to 7-1. Following back to back two out singles by Logan and Alejandra, Meg (6) delivered a grace under pressure two RBI hit that allowed Logan and Alejandra to motor home with two runs.
With true grit, TP starter Will rang up a strikeout, fly out and groundout to cease the Cardinals insurgency in the second inning.
Taking care of business, Royal York Girls reliever Ava (14) retired TP in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the second courtesy of a pair of groundouts and a sparkling defensive play from her friends.
With two outs, TP baserunner Lucas (24) made a cheeky attempt to steal second base. Cognizant of his thievery, Cardinals catcher Meg made a bullet throw to second baseman Alejandra, who slapped an emphatic tag on a sliding Lucas to ring up a pretty 2-4 putout for the third out.
The Cardinals exploded for five runs in the top half of the third to increase their upper hand to 12-1. After a leadoff walk by Bea, Alyssa stroked a single that put two ducks on the pond. Effie followed with a RBI hit that brought Bea home.
As she made the turn at third, Alyssa made a bold as brass decision to charge homeward and try to score another run. However, TP second baseman Reuben made a laser throw to catcher Jacob (37), who stretched himself to the limit to tag out Alyssa in an exquisite chitty chitty bang bang 4-2 putout play at the dish to ring up the first out.
With one out and a runner on base, Ava connected for a RBI single that allowed Effie to motor home with a run.
Following a pair of defiant Grand Theft steals by Ava that advanced her to third base, Kylie stroked a clutch two out RBI hit that brought Ava home to roost.
After Logan singled to put two aboard, Alejandra followed with a two RBI double that brought Kylie and Logan home with another pair of runs that gave the Royal York Girls an eleven run lead.
With Rome burning, TP reliever Reuben entered the fray from the bullpen to tally a groundout to end the Cardinals coup d’état in the third inning.
With 1-2-3 efficiency, Royal York Girls reliever Bea dispatched TP in the bottom of the third with a line out back to the mound and two riveting strikeouts.
In the top of the fourth, the Cardinals added six insurance runs to their haul as they widened their lead to 18-1. After garnering a leadoff walk, Bea boldly swiped her way to third base. A TP error would allow her to hustle home with a run.
Following a one out single by Effie, Ava and Ellie (24) drew back to back walks to load the bases. Kylie followed with a bases loaded RBI walk to bring Effie home.
With the bases still juiced to the gills, Logan garnered a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Ava to come home with another Royal York run.
A subsequent TP error with the bases loaded would allow Ellie to motor homeward with a run.
With runners on third and second, another TP faux pas advanced Logan to third and allowed Logan to score a Cards run.
Alejandra followed with a RBI hit that brought Logan homeward with another run.
It was at this juncture where the TP defence rose to the occasion to extricate itself from a sticky wicket. With a runner on first, TP shortstop Finn battled the glare of the bright sun to catch a pop fly off the bat of Meg to tally the second out. Noticing that Alejandra had wandered afar from first base, Finn made a rocket toss over to first to complete the 6-3 double play that quelled the Cardinals insurrection in the fourth inning.
Donning their rally caps, TP refused to go quietly into the afternoon sun in the bottom of the fourth as they continued their battle to stay alive. After Thomas reached base on a hit by pitch to open the inning, Pierce (7) drew a walk that put two swans on the lake.
Cool as a cucumber, Royal York Girls closer Alyssa found the groove and rang up three strikeouts to vanquish the TP rally bid and seal the deal on the Cardinals victory.
EXTRA INNINGS
