IN A HOT TIN ROOF AFFAIR, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS PREVAIL OVER THE CARDINALS IN AN EBA 11U SELECT LOOP AFFAIR AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a Saran wrap covering of hot and humid summer skies, the Toronto Playgrounds 11U Blue Selects prevailed 9-5 over the Royal York Boy Cardinals in a 5 ½ inning Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 11U Select Loop game this afternoon at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
With 1-2-3 finesse, TP 11U Blue starter Owen (9) utilized a repertoire of two strikeouts and a groundout to retire the Royal York Boys in order in the top of the first to keep the Cardinals off the scoring ledger.
After surrendering a leadoff double to Max (65), Royal York starter Rayne (21) retired the TP batting order in 1-2-3 fashion with a pop out, strikeout and fly out to keep them off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first.
Taking no prisoners, TP 11U starter Owen tallied two strikeouts and a fly out [reeled in on a sweet catch by centre fielder Sydney VK (14)] in the top of the second to keep Royal York ensconced in their nest and off the scoresheet.
In the bottom of the second, Toronto Playgrounds jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
After stroking a one out single, Jordan (16) advanced to second base on a Royal York error. Sidney (7) followed with a RBI hit that allowed Jordan to motor home with the opening run of the game.
Subsequently, with a runner on third, Sydney VK stepped up to the plate and delivered a scorching RBI double that brought Sidney home with another TP run.
Nonplussed, Royal York starter Rayne reeled off three strikeouts in the second frame to diffuse the TP insurgency.
While riding atop a 42″ John Deere X330 22-HP Lawn Tractor, TP 11U Blue starter Owen mowed down Royal York in 1-2-3 fashion with three sizzling strikeouts in the top of the third that kept the Cardinals off the scorebook.
With the wind in their sails, Toronto Playgrounds added two doubloons to their treasure trove in the bottom of the third that extended their upper hand to 4-0.
After a leadoff hit and stolen base by Max, Dash (00) stroked a RBI single that brought Max home with a run.
Following a walk by Grover (11) that put two ducklings on the pond, a subsequent Royal York error allowed Dash to motor home from third with another TP run.
Unfazed, Royal York starter Rayne chalked up an infield flyout, strikeout and groundout in the third frame to extinguish the TP mutiny.
Taking a modicum of umbrage at their situation, Royal York answered back with a pair of runs in the top vector of the fourth to trim the gap to 4-2.
After a leadoff hit, Ashton proceeded to steal second base. A TP error on the play would allow Ashton to advance to third. Ashton would subsequently take advantage of a TP wild pitch to motor home with the Cardinals first run.
Following a walk by Rayne, Evan (27) hit into a 6-3 groundout. A TP error on the play allowed Rayne to fly homeward with another Cardinals run.
After issuing a one out walk to Brandon (91), TP reliever Sidney found the groove and proceeded to ring up two strikeouts to vanquish the Royal York Boys uprising in the fourth.
Putting the pedal to the metal, Toronto Playgrounds replied with three in the bottom of the fourth to widen their plurality to 7-2.
With one out, Alex (13) hit a dramatic triple to spark the TP attack.
After Owen reached base on a hit by pitch that put two swans on the lake, Max stoked a RBI single that moved Owen to third and brought Alex home with a run.
With runners on third and second, Dash hit into a groundout that advanced Max to third and allowed Owen to score.
Max would subsequently take advantage of a Royal York wild pitch to score another TP run.
With two outs, Royal York Boys reliever Evan entered the fray in the fourth to tally a strikeout that ended the TP civil disobedience.
TP reliever Sydney VK retired Royal York in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the fifth with a scintillating pair of strikeouts and a little help from his friends that kept the Cardinals off the scoring abacus.
After drawing a one out walk, Zachary (11) stole second base with unabashed aplomb. Subsequently, with two outs, Zachary swiped third. As throw from TP catcher Ethan sailed wide of third baseman Sidney, Zachary charged homeward in a brazen move to score. However, TP shortstop Alex quickly retrieved the ball like a gazelle and made a lightning throw to Ethan, who tagged out Zachary to ring up a sweet 2-6-2 gem for the third out!
In the bottom of the fifth, Toronto Playgrounds added two insurance runs to increase their advantage to 9-2.
After drawing a leadoff walk, Ethan proceeded to swipe his way around the horn to third base. Jordan delivered a RBI double that brought Ethan home.
Following a steal of third by Jordan, Sidney delivered him home with a run scoring groundout.
Royal York Boys reliever Evan tallied a groundout and two strikeouts in the fourth to end the TP insurrection.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, Royal York donned their rally caps in the top of the sixth as they made one last bid to change their fate.
After Ashton reached base on a hit by pitch, Rayne drew a one out walk that put two Cardinals on base. With two outs and runners on third and first, a errant TP pickoff attempt allowed Rayne to advance to third and bring Ashton home with a run that trimmed the shortfall to six.
Following back to back walks by Brandon (91) and Gianluca (36) that loaded the bases, Luca (9) drew a bases loaded RBI walk that brought Rayne home with a run.
Subsequently, with the bases still jammed tighter than rush hour traffic on the Don Valley Parkway, Brandon took advantage of a TP error to scoot home with another Royal York run that closed the gap to 9-5.
Shaken, but not stirred, TP 11U Blue reliever Sydney VK found his Mojo Jojo in the sixth and chalked up two strikeouts and a groundout to put a kibosh on the Cardinals last gasp rally and seal the deal on a hard fought victory.
EXTRA INNINGS
