DESPITE AN EARLY EXIT FROM THE ETOBICOKE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION 11U PLAYOFF TOURNEY, THE TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS 11U SELECTS STILL HAD A FUN AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCE ON THE FIELD OF DREAMS DURING THE 2022 SEASON
Beneath a warm ceiling of cloudy and hazy summer skies, the Bloordale 11U Bombers defeated the Toronto Playgrounds 11U Red Selects 12-1 in a five inning Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 11U Select round robin qualification game this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Here is a brief recap of the proceedings:
- With a Bloordale runner on third base, TP 11U Red starter Harrison (42) chalked up a groundout and two strikeouts to keep the Bombers off the scoring ledger in the top of the first inning.
- In the bottom half of the first, Bloordale starter Markus (31) tallied a strikeout, groundout and pop out to keep TP off the scoresheet.
- The Bombers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on respective RBI doubles from Christian (24) and Adin (7).
- Unfazed, TP 11U Red starter Harrison reeled off three consecutive strikeouts to vanquish the Bloordale insurgency in the second frame.
- Toronto Playgrounds threatened in the bottom of the second following a walk by Gabe (13) and a single by Henry (27) that put two ducklings on the pond.
- Finding his mojo, Bloordale starter Markus chalked up a strikeout, groundout and pop out to terminate the TP rebellion in the second frame.
- Bloordale exploded for four runs in the top of the third to extend their advantage to 6-0. After delivering a RBI triple that brought Marcus (18) home, Alexander E. (9) subsequently scored a run after the Bombers executed a double steal. Anthony’s (29) fielder’s choice and Adin’s bases loaded RBI walk brought home two more runs.
- In the bottom of the third, Bloordale starter Markus dispatched TP in 1-2-3 fashion with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to keep TP off the scoresheet.
- The Bombers added four doubloons to their treasure trove in the top of the fourth to stretch their plurality to 10-0. Alexander F. (11) and Adrian (23) took advantage of two TP errors to score a pair of runs. Alexander E. and Markus connected foe respective RBI singles that brought home two more Bloordale runs.
- Refusing to quietly into the night, TP 11U Red rallied back with a run in the bottom of the fourth to trim the margin to 10-1. Following a one out triple by Billy (23), Brayden (9) delivered him home with a RBI single.
- Nonplussed, Bloordale starter Markus rang up three strikeouts in the fourth to extinguish the TP rally bid.
- The Bombers tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the fifth to extend their upper hand to 12-1. Anthony delivered a RBI single and Adin brought home a run on a fielder’s choice.
- With one out and a TP runner on base, Bloordale closer Adin entered the fray to chalk up two strikeouts to seal the deal on their round robin game win.
Along with an opening round robin game 15-6 loss to the Annette A’s on Sunday afternoon at Ravina Gardens, the TP 11U Red have an overall 0-2 tournament record. As such, under the tourney’s double knockout rule, TP 11U Red has been officially eliminated from any further tournament play.
Despite their early departure from the tourney and a 5-5 EBA regular season record, the Toronto Playgrounds 11U Red Selects nevertheless had a fun and enriching 2022 season on the field of dreams.
In addition to their play on the EBA circuit, TP 11U Red also found time to participate in the Brantford Tournament in June. The TP 11U Red Selects gave it their all at Burney Park in a pair of razor thin one run losses to Burlington and the North London Nationals.
The Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) wishes to extend their thanks to Head Coach Wes Ahrens; Assistant Coaches Max Baranovskii; Paul Ungerman; Jack Peterson and Benjamin Young; and Team Manager Lisa Davidson, for their hard work; patience and dedication in steering these talented 11U Red Select players through the highs and lows of a long 2022 EBA Select campaign..
The TPBA also wishes to commend all the 11U Red Select coaches, players, parents and family members for representing the core values of Toronto Playgrounds Baseball program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond during the course of the 2022 season.
WAY TO GO, TP!