IN A FUN AND ENTHRALLING NAIL BITER, THE RAYS FEND OFF A VALIANT RALLY BY THE EXPOS IN THE FINAL INNING TO PREVAIL FOR THE SLENDER TENDERLOIN 11U MOSQUITO CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a cool ceiling of mid September skies, the Rays edged the Expos 13-12 in a five inning final game tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 2 to win the 2022 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) House League Tournament 11U Mosquito Division Championship Game.
In the top portion of the first, the Rays jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage.
After a pair of back-to-back walks to open the inning by Rami (22) and Cliff (2) that put two runners on base, Jack (28) stepped up to the plate and powered an immaculate two RBI triple that allowed Rami and Cliff to hustle home with the opening runs of the game.
Subsequently, with one out and a runner on third, Austin (27) stroked a RBI single that allowed Jack to motor home with another run for the Rays.
The Rays continued to ramp up the pressure after Gabe (31) and Carson (10) garnered consecutive walks to load the bases.
Cool as a Klondike Rocky Road ice cream bar, Expos starter Maddie (14) found her mojo and rang up two searing strikeouts that put a kibosh on the Rays insurgency in the first frame.
Not to be outdone, the Expos quickly answered back with four in the bottom of the first to take a 4-3 lead.
After a leadoff double by Maddie, Theo (3) followed with a one out double that allowed Maddie to zoom home with the Expos first run of the game.
Following a steal of third by Theo, Billy (13) stroked a single that put two ducklings on the pond. With runners at third and second, Jack (2) connected for a two RBI hit that brought Theo and Billy home with the Expos tying runs.
After Jack advanced to third base with a pair of derring-do steals, Gabriel (15) delivered a clutch two out RBI single that allowed Jack to score the Expos go ahead run.
In a spirited foray on the hill, Rays starter Rami tallied a groundout and strikeout against the Expos in the first inning.
Like supreme gladiators in the throes of a do or die battle, the Rays replied with a two spot in the top of the second to retake the upper hand 5-4.
After Rami reached base on a fielder’s choice, Willem (26) hit a two out single that put runners at third and first. Cliff followed with a grace under pressure RBI hit that allowed Rami to blaze home with the Rays tying run.
With two runners on the dance floor, Jack delivered a clutch RBI double that brought Willem home with the Rays go ahead run.
Nonplussed, Expos reliever Mateos (1) sandwiched a pair of strikeouts between a groundout in the second inning to diffuse the Rays mutiny.
The Expos threatened to deadlock the proceedings in the bottom half of the second after Eli (9) drew a leadoff walk and swiped two bases with unbridled aplomb to get into scoring position at third base.
With no desire to pussyfoot around, Rays reliever Cliff rang up three consecutive strikeouts that kept the Expos off the scoring ledger in the second inning.
With the wind in their sails, the Rays added three to their haul in the top of the third to increase their plurality to 8-5.
After a leadoff single by Austin, Gabe garnered a walk that put two aboard. Following a two out walk by Sydney VK (24) that loaded the bases, Oliver (15) and Max (21) drew respective bases loaded RBI walks that allowed Austin and Gabe to shuffle hp,e with a pair of runs.
A subsequent wild pitch by the Expos would allow Sydney VK to hustle home from third base with another Rays run,
Expos reliever Billy chalked up three strikeouts in the third frame to end the Rays civil disobedience.
Taking a measure of umbrage at their situation, the Expos stormed back with four in the bottom of the third to tie the affair at 8-8.
After Maddie reached base on a hit by pitch with one out, Sidney (7) garnered a walk that put two runners on base. Theo followed with a dramatic three run inside the park home run that allowed the Expos to pull within one run of the Rays.
Following a single, Billy utilized his Grand Theft acumen to advance to third base. Jack stepped into the batter’s box and stroked a RBI hit that brought Billy home with the game tying run.
Rays reliver Willem had a spirited sojourn on the mound during the third frame.
Answering the clarion call, the Rays responded with a run in the top of the fourth to take a 9-8 lead.
After a leadoff walk by Willem, Cliff stroked a single. An Expos error on the play would allow Willem and Cliff to advance respectively to third and second base. Following a walk by Jack that loaded the bases, the Expos uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Willem to hustle home with the Rays go ahead run.
Unperturbed, Expos reliever Theo notches a pair of strikeouts and a groundout in the fourth to extinguish the Rays insurgency.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Expos answered back with a run in the bottom half of the fourth to tie the proceedings 9-9.
After a leadoff walk by Mateos, Gabriel would reach base on a Rays error that also permitted Mateos to move over to third base. Following a walk by Eli that loaded the bases, the Rays committed another faux pas that allowed Gabriel and Eli to advance respectively to third and second base, and bring Mateos home with the Expos tying run.
Reelin’ and rockin’, Rays reliever SydneyVK found the groove and struck out the next three batters to extinguish the Expos putsch in the fourth inning.
With the game deadlocked, the Rays exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth to retake the lead 13-9.
After a one out walk by Duncan (23), Sydney VK hit a single that put two mallards on the lake. With runners on third and second, Oliver delivered a RBI double that moved Sydney VK to third base and brought Duncan home with the Rays go ahead run.
Following a two out walk by Rami that loaded the bases, Willem would reach base on a catcher’s interference call that allowed Oliver and Rami to respectively shuffle over to third and second and bring Sydney VK home with a run.
With the bases packed tighter than a can of sardines, Cliff drew a bases loaded RBI walk that brought Oliver home with a run.
And with the bases still juiced to the gills, Jack stroked a RBI single that allowed Rami to score another insurance runs for the Rays.
In a steely eyed foray on the hill, Expos reliever Sidney rang up two strikeouts against the Rays in the fifth frame.
Proudly donning their rally caps, the plucky Expos took to the diamond in the bottom half of the fifth determined to change their circumstance.
Following a leadoff single by Simon (5), Maddie crunched a RBI triple that allowed Simon to score and trim the margin to 13-10.
With one out and a runner on third, Theo stroked a RBI single that brought Maddie home and close the gap to two.
After a groundout by Billy, Theo turned on the afterburners to move over to third base. A Rays error on the play allowed Theo to motor homeward with a run that made it a one run game.
Jack followed with a clutch two out double and stolen base to keep the Expos hopes alive.
With the tying run standing only sixty-five feet away on third base and the game on the line, Rays closer Jack chalked up a strikeout to terminate the Expos valiant final inning rally and seal the deal on the Rays 11U Peewee championship victory.
