IN A NITTY GRITTY AFFAIR, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS PREVAIL OVER THE CARDINALS IN THEIR 2024 ETOBICOKE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (EBA) 11U MOSQUITO SELECT LOOP SEASON OPENER AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a Cracker Jack blanket of overcast and sunny skies, the Toronto Playgrounds 11U Blue defeated the Royal York 11U Girls 16-9 in a 4 ½ inning 2024 Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 11U Select Loop season opener tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 3.
In the top half of the first frame, the Royal York 11U Girls jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
After a leadoff walk and stolen base by Mackenzie (12), Erin (8) garnered an one out walk that put two Cardinals on base. Sierra (11) followed with a two RBI double that brought both Mackenzie and Erin home with the opening runs of the game.
Subsequently, with two outs, Sierra flexed her Grand Theft aspirations when she made a bold as brass decision to steal third base. As Sierra took flight from second base, TP Blue catcher Dominic (24) made a lightning in a bottle throw to third baseman Julian (26), who tagged Sierra out on a chitty chitty bang bang 2-5 play that ended the Cardinals threat.
In a ready steady outing on the hill, TP 11U Blue starter Dylan (8) tallied a strikeout and a fly out against Royal York in the first frame.
With lickety-split urgency, TP 11U Blue answered back with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-2 lead.
After a Say Hey! leadoff triple by Dylan, Sydney (9) drew a walk that put two ducks on the pond. Following a one out walk by Ellis (44) that loaded the bases, Cole (23) muscled a RBI hit that brought Dylan home with TP Blue’s first run.
With the bases still packed tighter than a can of StarKist tuna, Casey (27) delivered a two RBI single that advanced Cole to second base and allowed Sydney and Ellis to motor home with TP Blue’s go ahead runs.
Following a walk by Eli (7) that reloaded the bases, Julian (26) stroked a RBI hit that brought Cole home with another TP Blue run.
In a nitty gritty foray on the mound, Royal York 11U Girls starter Mackenzie tallied one strikeout versus TP Blue in the first frame.
Not to be outdone, the pesky Cardinals quickly replied with a four spot in the top of the second inning to retake the upper hand 6-4.
After a leadoff walk by Sloane (6) and a single by Koyuki (10), Vivienne (9) garnered a walk to load the bases. Evelina (15) followed with a two RBI single allowed Sloane and Koyuki to blaze home with the Royal York 11U Girls tying runs.
Following a walk by Nadia (2) that reloaded the bases, Savanne (88) exercised patience at the plate to earn a RBI walk that brought Vivienne home with the Cardinals go ahead run.
Subsequently, with two outs and the bases still juiced to the gills, Mackenzie garnered a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Evelina to shuffle home with another Royal York run.
In a stout effort on the mound, TP 11U Blue starter Dylan rang up two strikeouts against the Cardinals in the second frame.
Licking their wounds, TP 11U Blue answered back with four runs in the bottom portion of the second inning to regain the lead 8-4.
Following a leadoff walk by Emile (5), Dominic (24) delivered a scorching RBI double that brought Emile home to roost.
After back to back walks by Ewan (28) and Owen (14) that loaded the bases, Dylan stroked a two RBI single that allowed Dominic and Ewan to hustle home with TP Blue’s go ahead runs.
Sydney capped off TP Blue’s big second inning with a RBI hit that brought Owen home with another run.
Taking care of business, TP 11U Blue reliever Ellis chalked up a groundout and two electrifying strikeouts in the top of the third inning to keep the Cardinals offence ensconced in the bird bath,
Going for the jugular, TP 11U Blue added four more runs to their treasure trove in the bottom portion of the third inning as they increased their plurality to 12-6.
After a leadoff single by Wilt (2), Ellis garnered a walk that put two runners on base. Cole followed with a two RBI double that allowed Wilt and Ellis to come home with a pair of runs for TP Blue.
With Casey on base after a hit by pitch, Eli drew a walk that loaded the bases. Julian followed with a bases loaded RBI walk that brought Cole home with the peameal bacon.
Subsequently, with one and the bases still loaded to the max, Dominic garnered a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Casey to shimmy home with another TP Blue run.
In a hardy sojourn on the hill, Royal York 11U reliever Erin tallied one strikeout against the TP 11U Blue in the third frame.
With unbridled resolve, TP 11U Blue reliever Ellis utilized two scintillating strikeouts in the top of the fourth inning to stymie the Royal York 11U Girls.
Ellis was also the recipient of a nice gift from his D during the inning. Following a one out walk, Cardinals baserunner Koyuki completed a successful theft of second base. However, the TP Blue throw to nab her sailed high and into the outfield.
Craving additional pay dirt, Koyuki threw caution to the wind as she made the daring decision to also advance third base on the play. As Koyuki charged towards her goal with a full head of steam, TP Blue centre fielder Dylan retrieved the ball and made a thunderous throw to third baseman Eli, who slapped an emphatic tag on Koyuki to ring up the third out on an exquisite 8-5 defensive gem.
Toronto Playgrounds added four insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to secure their lead at 16-6.
Exercising patience at the dish, Ewan, Owen and Dylan garnered respective walks to load the bases. Sydney followed with a bases loaded RBI walk that brought Ewan home with a TP Blue run.
With opportunity knocking, Wilt stepped into the batter’s box and stroked a RBI hit that allowed Owen to score.
With one out and the bases still loaded down like a premium Chicago styled deep dish pizza, Cole capped off the TP Blue’s bountiful inning with a two RBI double that brought Dylan and Sydney home with two cartons of Baskin-Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream.
In a heavy-duty foray on the mound, Royal York 11U reliever Vivienne chalked up a pop out against TP Blue in the fourth frame.
Trailing 16-6, the Royal York 11U Girls proudly donned their rally caps in the top half of the fifth inning as they made one final bid to change their fate.
After Evelina and Nadia drew back to back walks to open the inning, Savanne garnered a walk to load the bases. Kelly (3) followed and hit into a 1-3 fielder’s choice that advanced Nadia and Savanne respectively to third and second base, and brought Evelina home with a Cardinals run.
Following a walk to Elli (14) that reloaded the bases, Mal (29) delivered a clutch two out RBI hit that allowed Nadia and Savanne to fly homeward with two more Royal York runs that trimmed the shortfall to seven.
Shaken, but not stirred, TP 11U Blue closer Emile found the groove and rang up a groundout and two strikeouts to seal the deal on TP Blue’s season opening victory.
