IN A NITTY GRITTY SEE SAW AFFAIR, THE WOLVERINES PREVAIL OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS FOR THE 2023 EBA 13U SELECT LOOP VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a warm and genteel ceiling of heavenly skies, the Weston 13U Wolverines prevailed 12-7 over the Toronto Playgrounds 13U Red Selects in a four inning 2023 EBA 13U Select Loop game tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
With cunning voracity, Weston staked itself to an early 5-0 advantage in the top portion of the first inning.
After Lucas (15) and Giuseppe (3) garnered back to back walks to begin the inning, Matthew D, (18) drew a walk to load the bases. Javi (24) followed with a 4-3 groundout that moved Giuseppe and Matthew D. respectively to third and second base, and brought Lucas home with the opening run of the game.
Following a one out walk by Ethan (10) that reloaded the bases, Darius (16) drew a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Giuseppe to shuffle home with a Weston run.
With the bases still jammed tighter than a can of sardines, Nathaniel (20) reached base on a hit by pitch that forced Matthew D. home from third base with another Wolverines run.
Subsequently, as the TP defence erased wayfaring Weston baserunner Nathaniel at first base, Darius advanced to third base and Ethan hustled homeward to tally a run.
With two outs, Wolverines baserunner Darius blazed down the third baseline to score a dramatic run on a bold as brass theft of home.
In a gritty effort on the hill, TP 13U Red starter Liam (28) tallied a pair of groundouts to end the Weston insurgency in the first frame.
Licking their chops, Toronto Playgrounds answered back with a six spot in the bottom of the first to take a 6-5 lead.
After Liam, Harrison (42) and Jack (16) drew consecutive walks to load the bases, Tristan (19) exercised patience at the dish to earn a one out bases loaded RBI walk that brought Liam home with TP’s first run.
With two outs and the bases still jammed tighter than Lakeshore Boulevard East, Kale (6) drew a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Harrison to scoot home with another TP run.
At this juncture in the proceedings, Jackson (22) stepped up to the plate and delivered a grace under pressure two RBI double that advanced Kale to third base and brought Jack and Tristan homeward with a pair of TP runs that trimmed the deficit to one.
With runners on third and second, Billy (24) connected for a clutch RBI hit that moved Jackson to third and allowed Kale to motoe home with TP’s tying run.
Seizing the opportunity with aplomb, Brayden (9) delivered a RBI single that brought Jackson home with TP’s go ahead run.
With true grit, Weston starter Giuseppe chalked up a groundout and two strikeouts to extinguish the TP insurgency in the first inning.
Not to be outdone, Weston replied with two lickety-split runs in the top of the second to retake the upper hand 7-6.
After a two out double by Domenic (8), Lucas and Giuseppe garnered back to back walks to load the bases. Matthew D. and Javi followed with a pair of bases loaded RBI walks that allowed Domenic and Lucas to come home with the Wolverines go ahead runs.
TP 13U Red reliever Jackson rang up a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to terminate the Weston unrest in the second inning.
And a tip of the cap to TP 13U Red first baseman Calvin (11) for his solid defensive effort in the second frame. Calvin was involved in all three of Weston’s outs during the inning.
After turning a 4-3 play for the first out, Calvin took receipt of a rocket throw from TP 13U Red catcher Jack on a dropped third strike to erase Wolverines batter Matthew G. (21) on a pretty 2-3 play for the second out.
With the bases loaded and Weston ahead by a run, Calvin reeled in a lightning toss from TP 13U Red shortstop Billy on a sharp cheddar cheese groundball off the bat of Ethan to tally a nifty 6-3 gem for the third out.
In the bottom portion of the second, TP 13U Red quickly answered back with a run to deadlock the proceedings at 7-7.
After reaching on a hit by pitch, Calvin moseyed into scoring position with a Bennie and the Jets theft of second base. Liam followed with a one out RBI double that brought Calvin home with TP’s tying run.
With the game at a crucial crossroad, Weston 13U reliever Matthew D. entered the fray to chalk up a strikeout and a pop out that quelled the TP insurrection in the second inning.
Flexing their nocturnal scavenging resolve, Weston grabbed the bull by the horns in the top of the third inning as they scored a four spot to take a 11-7 lead.
After drawing a leadoff walk, Darius swiped his way to third base with unbridled zeal. A TP error during his steal of third allowed Darius to shuffle homeward with the Wolverines go ahead run.
Following a walk, Nathaniel took advantage of a wild pitch and a steal to move over to third base. Nicolas (5) drove Nathaniel home with a scorching RBI double.
With his eye on the prize, Evin (13) followed with a RBI hit that brought Nicolas home with a Wolverines run.
After Evin reached third base on a steal, Damon (7) capped off Wolverines big inning with a RBI single that allowed Evin to come home and give the Wolverines a four run plurality.
Shaken, but not stirred, TP 13U Red reliever Brayden found the groove and rang up a pair of strikeouts and a groundout that put a kibosh on the Wolverines dissent in the third frame.
Toronto Playgrounds threatened in the bottom of the third after Cliff (23) reached second base on a dropped third strike and stolen base.
Refusing to pussyfoot around the bush, Weston 13U reliever Matthew D. racked up a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to end the TP resistance in the third frame.
In the top half of the fourth, Weston tacked on an insurance run to stretch its advantage to 12-7.
Following a one out double by Matthew D., Javi delivered a RBI double that allowed Matthew to zoom home with a Wolverines run.
With a dab of relish and a dollop of mustard, TP 13U Red reliever Billy chalked up three sizzling strikeouts to send the Wolverines packing in the fourth inning.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, Toronto Playgrounds donned their rally caps in the bottom of the fourth in one final bid to change their fate.
After Billy reached base on a catcher’s interference call to begin the inning, Brady drew a walk that put two TP runners on the dance floor.
With ice in his veins, Weston 13U reliever Matthew D. rang up a groundout, strikeout and pop out to extinguish the TP insurrection and seal the deal on the Wolverines victory.
EXTRA INNINGS
