TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS EARNS FINALIST HONOURS AFTER THE BANDITS TAKE HOME THE PRIZE BY FENDING OFF A VALIANT FINAL INNING TP 15U REP RALLY BID AT THE NIAGARA FALLS (N.Y.) HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPLEX
Tournament Post composed with files from Anaud Ganpaul. Collage Photos courtesy of Dora Yeoh. Team Photo courtesy of Sean Lee.
Beneath a genteel blanket of warm summer skies, the Mathewson McCarthy (MMB) 15U Rep Black Bandits edged the Toronto Playgrounds 15U Rep 6-5 in a nail biting seven inning 2023 Thunderwolves Can-Am 15U Rep Invitational Championship Game this evening at the Niagara Falls High School Athletic Complex in New York.
Here is a brief recap of the 2023 Can-Am 15U Rep championship game:
- Mathewson McCarthy (MMB) 15U Rep jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top half of the first inning.
- In lickety-split fashion, Toronto Playgrounds answered back with a pair in the bottom of the first frame to trim the deficit to 4-2. After a leadoff single by Winer-Takabatake, Sze stroked a single that advanced Winer-Takabatake to third base. Following a steal of second by Sze that put TP runners on third and second base, Zilcosky hit a groundout that advanced Sze to third base and brought Winer-Takabatake home with TP 15U Rep’s first run of the game. Houser followed with a RBI single that allowed Sze to motor home with another TP run.
- TP 15U Rep kept the pressure on MMB as they scored a run in the bottom of the fifth frame to close the gap to 4-3. With two outs and a runner on second base, Winer-Takabatake delivered a clutch RBI single to bring Mitchell home with a TP run that made it a one run affair.
- In the top of the sixth inning, the Black Bandits added a two spot to their tally as they extended their upper hand to 6-3.
- In a nitty gritty foray on the hill, TP 15U Rep starter Atticus Sze exited the proceedings in the sixth frame after pitching five workmanlike innings, while giving up six runs (four earned) on nine hits. Sze issued a pair of walks while striking out two MMB batters.
- Refusing to go quietly into the night, the pesky TP 15U Rep continued to chip away at the shortfall as they scored a run in the bottom portion of the sixth inning to trail 6-4. With one out, Houser took full advantage of a grievous MMB error to reach base and advance into scoring position at third base. Lee followed with a groundout that allowed Houser to zoom homeward with a TP run.
- In a solid effort, TP 15U reliever Lee kept the potent Bandits batting order off the scoring ledger for two stellar innings. Lee allowed three hits while ringing up one strikeout.
- Donning their rally caps, Toronto Playgrounds refused to concede an inch as they made one final charge to change their fate in the bottom of the seventh frame. After an immaculate leadoff triple by Parks, Mackenzie delivered a RBI single that brought Parks home with a run that trimmed the margin to 6-5.
- With a no outs and a TP runner on base, Mitchell and Gregson followed with back to back singles that loaded the bases. It was at this juncture where the MMB defence executed a Say Hey double play. As Winer-Takabatake’s fly ball landed in the mitt of MMB right fielder H. Mathieson for the first out, TP baserunner Mitchell tagged up at third base and charged homeward with a full head of steam. H, Mathieson made a lightning throw to MMB catcher L. Mathieson, who tagged out Mitchell to ring up a chitty chitty bang bang 9-2 double play.
- With two outs and TP’s potential tying and go ahead runs standing at third and second base, MMB reliever Voccaro induced a groundout that ended the TP comeback bid and sealed the deal on the Bandits championship victory.
Toronto Playgrounds journey at the Can-Am invitational tourney commenced on Friday evening with a take no prisoners 13-3 opening invitational game victory over the DP Canes 15U Americans. TP 15U Rep unleashed an eight run tsunami in the second inning and never had to look back in the rearview mirror. TP 15U Rep pitchers Lee, Mitchell and Sze combined to limit DP to only three runs and three hits over five innings.
On Saturday morning, TP 15U Rep suffered a setback in their second invitational game when they were blanked 9-0 in a five inning proceeding versus the Thunderwolves.
In a low scoring tooth and nail nine inning battle earlier this morning, TP 15U Rep edged the Aces 2-1 in their third invitational game to earn their second Can-Am victory. With the game deadlocked 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth frame, TP baserunner Ganpaul took advantage of a one out wild pitch to blaze homeward from third base and score TP’s dramatic winning run over the Aces. With the victory, TP 15U Rep advanced into a championship game showdown versus MMB 15U Black.
On behalf of our entire baseball community, the Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the coaches for their acumen, energy, resolve, time and patience in guiding the talented players of the TP 15U Rep Team to their finalist showing at the 2023 Thunderwolves Can-Am 15U Rep Invitational Tournament.
The TPBA also wishes to commend all the TP 15U ‘AA’ Rep coaches, players, parents and family members for representing the core values of Toronto Playgrounds Baseball program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond at the Can-Am tourney and during the course of the 2023 season.
WAY TO GO, TP!