TAKING FLIGHT WITH ORNITHOLOGICAL RESOLVE, THE WHITE CARDINALS PREVAIL OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS IN A 2023 EBA 9U SELECT LOOP CONTEST AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a gentle layer of warm and sunny skies, the Royal York 9U White Cardinals defeated the Toronto Playgrounds 9U Selects 14–3 in a five inning Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 9U Select Loop game this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 3.
In the top half of the first, Royal York jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
After back to back singles by Levi (78) and Nicholas (44) to lead off the inning, Toby (27) delivered a RBI single that brought Levi home with the opening run of the game.
With one out and two red birds perched on the birdbath, Matthew (99) muscled a RBI hit that allowed Nicholas to fly home with the White Cardinals second run.
Toronto Playgrounds quickly replied with a run in the bottom of the first inning that sliced the gap to 2-1.
Following a leadoff single by Kaden (0), Cordell (9) delivered a clutch two out single that brought Kaden home from second base with TP’s first run of the game.
Flexing their wings, Royal York 9U White exploded for seven runs in the top of the second inning that extended their upper hand to 9-1.
After a leadoff hit by Anna (19), Luke (10) stroked a one out single that put two runners on base. Cristiano (1) followed with a RBI hit that brought Anna home with a run, A TP error on the play would allow Luke and Cristiano to advance respectively to third and second base.
Putting the pedal to the metal, the White Cardinals continued their hit parade with a six hit onslaught that added six more runs to their tally.
Forming a conga line, Alex (8), Beau (11), Nicky (4), Levi, Nicholas and Toby connected for respective RBI hits that brought Luke, Cristiano, Alex, Beau, Nicky and Levi home to the nest.
After Toronto Playgrounds went down quietly in the bottom portion of the second, Royal York White added another run to their haul in the top of the third to increase their upper hand to 10-1.
With two outs and runners on third and first, Evander (16) hit a RBI single that allowed Finn (26) to some home to roost.
After holding a team meeting prior to their at bats in the bottom half of the third, the TP 9U Selects offence stirred to life.
Following back to back singles by Nicola (5) and Emmett (4) to begin the inning, Sean (4) slashed a bullet to right field. As Nicola made the turn at third base and barreled homeward, Royal York 9U White right fielder Alex retrieved the ball and made a rocket throw to catcher Nicky, who quickly made a dramatic lunging tag to erase Nicola and ring up asupercalifragilisticexpialidocious 9-2 defensive putout that thwarted TP’s effort to score.
In the top portion of the fourth, Royal York 9U White tallied another run to increase their plurality to 11-1.
After a leadoff double by Cristiano, Alex delivered him home with a RBI single.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, Toronto Playgrounds rallied with a pair in the bottom of the fourth to trim the margin to 11-3.
Following a leadoff hit by Whit (16), Kaden stroked a single that put two runners on the dance floor. With two outs, Cordell and Carson (27) delivered respective grace under pressure RBI singles that brought Whit and Kaden home.
The Royal York 9U White added three insurance runs in the top of the fifth to solidify their lead at 14-3.
Following a pair of two out singles by Matthew and Ryan (9) that put two aboard, Anna stepped into the batter’s box and crunched an immaculate three run inside the park home run blast that brought the fans in the bleacher seats to their feet.
Donning their rally caps, the TP 9U Selects gave it their all in the bottom of the fifth inning as they put a pair of runners on board in the hopes of a comeback. However, the Royal York 9U White defence turned in three solid defensive plays to bring the curtain down on proceedings and seal the deal on a dominating victory.
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