WITH TWO OUTS AND DEADLOCKED 10-10, THE HOMESTEADS SCORE A DRAMATIC RUN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FINAL INNING TO PREVAIL OVER THE CRAWFORDS IN A THRILLING CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AT DOMINICO FIELD AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a genteel ceiling of warm and solemn skies, the Homesteads edged the Crawfords 11-10 in a thrilling six inning 2023 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) House League Tournament 18U Varsity Division Championship Game tonight at Dominico Field at Christie Pits.
With the game deadlocked 10-10 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Isaac (16) drew a leadoff walk for the Homesteads, After successfully swiping second, Isaac made the bold as brass decision to steal third base. As Isaac charged towards third, Crawfords catcher Amadeo (13) made a lightning throw to third baseman Truman (7), who slapped an emphatic tag on Isaac to ring up the first out on a nifty 2-5 play.
After garnering a one out walk, Kosh (8) proceeded to steal second base. During the Homesteads next at bat, Ben (4) took one for the team when he reached base on a hit by pitch.
With runners on second and first, Kosh unleashed his Grand Theft desires as he brazenly bolted towards third base. In a case of déjà vu, catcher Amadeo made a quicksilver toss to Crawfords third baseman Truman, who applied a Say Hey tag on a sliding Kosh to ring up yet another 2-5 putout for out number two.
Following a steal of second by Ben, Vince (3) took a couple of pitches and delivered a grace under pressure two out RBI double that brought Ben home with the Homesteads championship winning run.
The Crawfords threatened in the top half of the first inning. After reaching base on a single, Zac (10) advanced into scoring postion courtesy of a stolen base and a groundout.
Refusing to pussyfoot around the Camellia bush, Homesteads starter Vince (3) rang up two strikeouts and a pop out to quell the Crawfords unrest in the first frame.
In the bottom of the first, Crawfords starter Amadeo (13) dispatched the Homesteads in 1-2-3 fashion with a fly out and two strikeouts that kept them off the scoring ledger.
The Crawfords jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
After garnering a leadoff walk, Truman advanced to third base courtesy of a stolen base and a Homesteads error. With one out, Alex (4) delivered a RBI single that brought Truman home with the opening run of the proceedings.
Following a walk by Amadeo that put two ducks on the pond, Homesteads reliever Adam (5) chalked up three strikeouts to end the Crawfords resistance in the second frame.
Not taking things lying down, the Homesteads quickly answered back with a four spot in the bottom half of the second inning to take a 4-1 upper hand.
Exercising patience at the dish, Kosh, Vince, Kingsley (14) and Graham (10) drew respective walks that allowed them to reach base. All four of the aforementioned Homesteads utilized their Bennie and the Jets skills to swipe their away around the horn into scoring position at third base. From that perch, Kosh, Vince and Kingsley took advantage of a series of wild pitches by the Crawfords to hustle home with three runs for the Homesteads.
With two outs and a runner on third base, Liam (1) stroked a RBI single that allowed Graham to zoom homeward with another Homesteads run.
In a nitty gritty effort, Crawfords reliever Matthew (8) tallied a pop out and a lineout against the Homesteads in the second frame.
Like a bruised prizefighter, the Crawfords punched back with four runs in the top of the third inning to retake the lead 5-4.
After Matthew reached base on a hit by pitch to open the inning, Zac stroked a single that put two aboard. Following a one out walk by Gianluca (15) that loaded the bases, Truman delivered a two RBI double that moved Gianluca to third base and brought Matthew and Zac home with a pair of runs for the Crawfords.
With runners on third and second base, Gianluca took advantage of a wild pitch to barge home with a Crawfords run that tied the game.
Following back to back walks by Vincenzo (11) and Alex that loaded the bases, Truman threw caution to the wind and blazed homeward to score the Crawfords go ahead run with a Grand Theft of home.
In a gritty effort on the mound, Homesteads releiver Lennox (13) tallied a strikeout and a fly out versus the Crawfords in the third frame.
The Homesteads threatened in the bottom half of the third inning following a leadoff walk and stolen base by Adam. Yearning to get the tying run closer to home, Adam absconded to third base on a steel eyed steal attempt. Noticing Adam’s swashbuckling ways, Crawfords catcher Alex made a cannon throw to third baseman Truman, who applied the baggage tag on Adam to erase him on a pretty 2-5 play for the first out.
With the wind in his sails, Crawfords reliver Amadeo rang up two strikeouts to keep the Homesteads off the scoring ledger in the third frame.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Crawfords added a gold doubloon to their Bit Coin account, and extended their plurality to 6-4.
Following a leadoff walk, Holden (1) made his way to third base courtesy of a stolen base and a wild pitch. With one out, Matthew hit a sacrifice groundout that allowed Holden to dart home with a Crawfords run.
Homesteads reliever Liam chalked up a strikeout and a pair of groundouts to end the Crawfords insurgency in the fourth frame.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Homesteads rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 7-6 lead.
After drawing a one out walk, Malcolm (6) advanced to third base on a pair of what me worry steals. With two outs, Malcolm took advantage of a wild pitch and hurtled homeward. In a chinny chinny chin chin play at the dish, Malcolm beat the tag of Crawfords reliever Matthew to score a rowdy run for the Homesteads.
Following a walk, Isaac (16) swiped two bases to get into optimal scoring position at third base. Not bothering to check his text messages from the Great-West Life insurance company, Isaac sprinted homeward on a wild pitch wand scored a rough and tumble tying run for the Homesteads.
After garnering a walk, Kosh turned on the afterburners and advanced to third base with a pair of venturesome steals. Sensing his opportunity, Kosh dashed home on a wild pitch to score the Homesteads go ahead run.
In a plucky effort on the hill, Crawfords reliever Matthew tallied a groundout, strikeout and a 2-5 throw out to terminate the Homesteads civil disobedience in the fourth frame.
Not to be outdone, the pesky Crawfords answered back with four runs in the top of the fifth to regain the upper hand 10-7/
After a leadoff walk by Michael (6), Gianluca singled to put two runners on the dance floor. A Homesteads error on the play allowed Michael and Gianluca to move respectively to third and second base. Truman followed with a two RBI double that brought Michael and Gianluca home with the Crawfords go ahead runs.
Following a theft of third base by Truman, Alex delivered a one out RBI hit that allowed Truman to come home with a Crawfords run.
After Alex had advanced to third base with a couple of deft steals, Holden (1) connected for a RBI single that brought Alex home with another Crawfords run.
In a spirited effort on the mound, Homesteads reliever Adam tallied two strikeouts against the Crawfords in the fifth frame.
With their postseason on the line, the Homesteads rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to deadlock the proceedings 10-10.
After Vince reached base on a dropped third strike to lead off the inning, Kingsley drew a walk that put two mallards on the lake, With runners on third and second base, the Crawfords uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Kingsley to move to third base and brought Vince home with a Homesteads run.
Following a walk and stolen base by Graham that put two runners on base, Liam was erased on a dropped third strike at first base that allowed Graham to advance to third base and brought Kingsley home with another Homesteads run that made it a one run game.
After a one out walk by Adam that loaded the bases, Lennox delivered a clutch two out RBI hit that brought Graham home with Homesteads tying run.
With the bases loaded, Crawfords reliever Gianluca rang up three strikeouts to preserve the tie and put a kibosh on the Homesteads coup d’état in the fifth frame.
The Crawfords threatened in the top portion of the sixth inning. After reaching base on a fielder’s choice, Matthew advanced to third base courtesy of a pair of intrepid steals.
With the potential go ahead run standing only ninety feet away, Homesteads reliever Vince rang up two groundouts and a strikeout to put an end to the Crawfords insurrection in the sixth frame.
And it was at this juncture in the proceedings where the Homesteads went up to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning and came face to face with their moment with destiny.
