IN A FUN AND WELL PLAYED AFFAIR, THE HOMESTEADS PREVAIL OVER THE CRAWFORDS AT DOMINICO FIELD AT CHRISTIE PITS TO TAKE HOME THE 18U VARSITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE
Beneath a genteel ceiling of picturesque mid-September skies, the Homesteads top the Crawfords 9-1 in a six inning final game tonight at Dominico Field at Christie Pits to win the 2022 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) House League Tournament 18U Varsity Division Championship Game.
In the top portion of the first, the Homesteads jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage.
After leadoff batter David (4) reached base on a dropped third strike, Lucas (13) garnered a walk that put two runners on the dance floor. Following a steal of third and second respectively by David and Lucas, Guillermo (8) muscled a one out RBI groundout that allowed David to motor home with the opening run of the proceedings.
Nonplussed, Crawfords starter Jack (12) sandwiched two pop outs between a groundout to subdue the Homesteads malfeasance in the first frame.
Not to be outdone, the Crawfords quickly answered back with a run in the bottom of the first to deadlock the affair at 1-1.
Following a leadoff single by Vincent (4), Josh (20) reached base on a hit by pitch. With runners on second and first, Tyler (8) slashed a double to left centre field. As Vincent made the turn for home at third base, Homesteads left fielder Lucas retrieved the ball and made a laser throw to catcher Kingsley (7), who tagged out Vincent on a sparkling 7-2 defensive play for the first out.
However, the Crawfords would not be denied. With one out and runners on third and second, the Homesteads uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Tyler to advance to third and bring Josh home with the tying run.
Subsequently, with two outs and a man on third, the Homesteads dispensed another wild pitch. Seizing the moment, Tyler mase a bold as brass bid to come home. As Tyler hustled down the line, catcher Kingsley retrieved the ball and made a lickety-split throw to Homesteads starter David, who slapped an emphatic tag on a sliding Tyler to thwart his grand thievery on a chitty chitty bang bang 2-1 gem for the third out.
Along with two big defensive plays that stymied the Crawfords, Homesteads starter David also chimed in with a strikeout in the first inning.
The Homesteads replied with a run in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead.
After reaching base on a dropped third strike to open the inning, Liam (3) rattled the Crawfords defence with two derring-do steals that allowed him to get into scoring position at third base. With two outs, David delivered a clutch RBI double that brought Liam home with the Homesteads go ahead run.
Unfazed, Crawfords starter Jack tallied two strikeouts and a pop out in the second inning to diffuse the Homesteads insurgency.
The Crawfords threatened in the bottom half of the second. After a leadoff walk, Luc (6) utilized his Grand Theft acumen to swipe his way around the horn to third base.
Refusing to accede to any pussyfooting, Homesteads reliever Guillermo rang up three consecutive strikeouts in the second inning that put a kibosh on the Crawfords rally.
In the top of the third, the Homesteads added a one spot to their tally to widen their plurality to 3-1.
Following a leadoff walk, Kingsley turned on the afterburners and stole his way to third. With two outs, Truman (12) stroked a grace under pressure RBI single that allowed Kingsley to score.
Crawfords reliever Luc chalked up a groundout and two pop outs in the third frame to pacify the Homesteads rebellion.
Cool as a cucumber, Homesteads reliever Guillermo kept the Crawfords off the scoresheet in the bottom of the third by retiring the m with a 1-2-3 recipe consisting of a lineout, strikeout and groundout.
Kudos to Homesteads third baseman Truman for snagging a smokin’ hot tamale line drive off the bat of Adam (11) to ring up the first out.
Reaching into his bag of tricks, Crawfords reliever Luc returned the favour in the top of the fourth by keeping the Homesteads off the scoreboard with a groundout, pop out and strikeout.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Crawfords threatened again in the bottom portion of the fourth. After striking a one out single, Vincent swiped a pair of bases to reach third base.
Free and easy, Homesteads reliever Kingsley chalked up three strikeouts in the fourth frame to vanquish the Crawfords uprising.
The Homesteads added two more in the top half of the fifth to extend their upper hand to 5-1.
Following back-to-back singles by Kingsley and Guillermo to open the inning, Savannah (14) delivered a two RBI sinfle that brought Kingsley and Guillermo homeward with a pair of runs.
After Truman reached base on a hit by pitch that put two ducks on the pond, Crawfords reliever Vincent found his mojo and reeled off three scintillating strikeouts to extinguish the Homesteads civil disobedience in the fifth frame.
Taking care of business, Homesteads reliever Kingsley blanked the Crawfords in the bottom of the fifth with a 1-2-3 mixture consisting of a pop out, groundout and strikeout.
With their eyes on the prize, the Homesteads added four insurance runs in the top half of the sixth to stretch their lead to 9-1.
Following a pair of walks by David and Lucas to begin the inning, Kingsley delivered a RBI single that allowed David to zoom home with a run.
With runners on third and second, Guillermo cleared the bases with a two RBI double that brought Lucas and Kingsley home to roost.
For the icing on the cake, Savannah hit a RBI groundout that allowed Guillermo to score another Homesteads run.
Proudly donning their rally caps in the bottom of the sixth, the Crawfords went up to bat with their usual never say die resolve. Despite an eight run deficit, the Crawfords comeback hopes were set alight following Jacob’s (13) leadoff walk and advancement to third base via stolen base and walk.
However, Homesteads pitcher David returned to the fray in the sixth frame to ring up three sizzling strikeouts to bring the curtain down on the Crawfords and seal rhw deal on the Homesteads championship victory.
