TAKING NO PRISONERS, THE A’s PREVAIL OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS FOR THE 2023 EBA 13U SELECT GAME VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a pea soup blanket of hazy and humid skies, the Annette 13U A’s defeated the Toronto Playgrounds 13U Blue 19-3 in a five inning 2023 Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 13U Select Loop game tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
In the top half of the first, Annette threatened after Carter (7) led off the inning with a single and two derring-do stolen bases that got him into scoring position at third base.
With true grit, TP 13U Blue starter Emeric (34) vanquished the threat with a pair of pop outs and a strikeout to keep the A’s off the scoring ledger in the first frame.
Toronto Playgrounds threatened in the bottom of the first following a pair of walks by Christian (33) and Jack (1) that put two ducks on the pond.
With runners on third and second base, Annette 13U starter Elliot (19) put a kibosh on the imminent threat with three sparkling strikeouts that kept TP Blue off the scoresheet in the first inning.
The Annette 13U A’s threatened again in the top of the second. After a leadoff single, Henri (41) swiped his way around the horn with Grand Theft aplomb to get into scoring position at third base.
Unfazed, TP 13U Blue starter Emeric rang up two strikeouts and a sparkling 6-3 groundout [courtesy of TP shortstop Ellis (88) and first baseman Varun (24)] to keep the A’s off the scoring abacus in the second inning.
Taking advantage of their opportunities, TP 13U Blue took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Following a leadoff hit and stolen base by Andrew (17), Nathan H (18) reached base on an Annette error that also allowed Andrew to hustle home from second base with the opening run of the proceedings.
With steely resolve, Annette 13U reliever Elaina (11) tallied a strikeout and double play lineout in the second frame that ended the TP uprising.
In the top half of the third, Annette 13U sent a conga line procession of thirteen batters to the plate and exploded with a nine run tsunami to take a 9-1 advantage.
Following a one out single by Jackson (15) and a walk by Simon (1) that put two runners on the dance floor, Carter delivered an immaculate two RBI triple that allowed Jackson and Simon to hustle home with the A’s go ahead runs.
With a runner on third, Elaina stroked a RBI single that brought Carter home with an Annette run.
After Elaina advanced to second with a stolen base, Dakin (19) connected for a RBI double that allowed Elaina to motor home with another A’s run.
Following a theft of third base by Dakin, Kedar (54) muscled a RBI double that brought Elaina homeward with an Annette run.
After Henri drew a walk that put two runners on base, Ryan (8) stroked a two RBI hit that allowed Kedar and Henri to zoom home with two more runs for the A’s.
Following Ryan’s advance to third base courtesy of a pair of steals, Henry (4) connected for a RBI hit that brought Ryan home with another Annette run.
With a runner on second base, Elliott capped off the A’s big inning with a RBI single that allowed Henry to score.
With Rome burning, TP 13U Blue reliever Varun entered the fray in the top of the third to ring up a groundout and a strikeout to extinguish the Annette 13U insurrection in the third frame.
Taking umbrage at their situation, TP 13U Blue refused to concede an inch as Louis (27), Emeric and Christian garnered consecutive walks to load the bases.
Shaken, but not stirred, Annette 13U reliever Kedar found his inner groove and chalked up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to keep TP Blue off the scoresheet and terminate their rally bid in the third frame.
Kudos to A’s left fielder Ryan for making an all star catch on a deep fly off the bat of TP Blue batter Peter (23) for the third out.
With the wind in their sails, Annette 13U added a three spot to their treasure trove in the top of the fourth to extend their upper hand to 12-1.
Following a one out hit and stolen base by Carter, Elaina connected for a RBI single that brought Carter home with an Annette run.
After Elaina advanced to third base on a stolen base and passed ball, Dakin delivered a RBI hit that allowed Elaina to motor homeward with another A’s run.
Following a pair of steals that allowed Dakin to reach third base, Kedar hit a RBI single that brought Dakin home to roost.
Free and easy, TP 13U Blue reliever Varun chalked up a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to pacify the Annette 13U attack in the fourth frame.
Refusing to go quietly into the abyss of the night, Toronto Playgrounds rallied back with a pair in the bottom portion of the fourth to close the gap to 12-3.
After a one out hit and stolen base by Dante (10), Ellis (88) garnered a walk that put two mallards on the lake. Andrew followed with a RBI single that moved Ellis to second base and allowed Dante to zoom home with a TP run.
With runners on second and first, Nathan H (18) delivered a RBI hit that advanced Andrew to third base and brought Ellis home with another TP run.
As TP’s rally bid began to gather steam, Annette 13U reliever Carter slyly extinguished the TP comeback effort by coaxing Varun into a Say Hey 6-3-2 double play that erased Varun at first base and Andrew at home plate on a chitty chitty bang bang tag out play at the dish by A’s catcher Cameron (18)!
Putting the pedal to the metal, Annette 13U added seven insurance runs in the top of the fifth to solidify their plurality at 19-3.
After a leadoff walk and stolen base by Elliott, Cameron stroked a RBI single that allowed Elliott to score a run for the A’s.
Following Cameron’s advance to third base on a pair of smooth and easy steals, Jackson reached base on a dropped third strike. On the play, Cameron took advantage of the opportunity to hustle home with another Annette run.
With one out and a runner on third base, Carter hit into a 6-3 groundout brought Jackson home with an A’s run.
After a two out single and stolen base by Elaina, Dakin brought her home with a clutch RBI double.
Following a walk by Kedar that put A’s runners on the corners, Henri powered a pristine two RBI triple that allowed Dakin and Kedar to charge home with two more Annette runs.
For the icing on the cake, Ryan followed with a grace under pressure RBI single that brought Henri home with the A’s nineteenth run.
Reelin’ and rockin’, TP 13U Blue reliver Andrew entered the proceedings to tally a groundout and fly out to end the Annette 13U coup d’état in the fifth inning.
Proudly donning their rally caps, TP 13U Blue made one final bid to change their fate in the bottom half of the fifth inning.
With never say die resolve, TP kept their comeback hopes alive when Nathan K (2) garnered a leadoff walk and Ethan (4) followed with a single that put two runners on the discotheque floor.
With no desire to pussyfoot around the bush, Annette 13U reliever Dakin found his mojo jojo and mowed down the next three TP Blue batters with three electrifying strikeouts to seal the deal on the A’s dominating victory.
EXTRA INNINGS
