IN A THRILLING NAIL BITER, THE EXPOS FEND OFF A VALIANT FINAL INNING RALLY BID BY THE MARINERS TO TAKE HOME THE CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a genteel ceiling of warm September skies, the Expos edged the Mariners 8-7 in a 4 ½ inning thriller to win the 2024 Toronto Playgrounds Baseball Association (TPBA) 11U Mosquito Division House League Tournament Championship Game tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Navigating their seafaring course of action, the Mariners jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
After a two out single by Eli (9), Finn (8) chipped in with a single that put two ducks on the pond.
Subsequently, with Mariners runners on third and second, Eli threw caution to the wind and blazed homeward from third base to score the opening run of the proceedings on a daring steal of home.
Sensing opportunity, the Mariners continued to ramp up the pressure on the Expos as Owen (5) singled and Miro (10) drew a walk to load the bases.
However, the curtain came down on a potential big inning for the Mariners following a no slide ruling on a M’s baserunner by the home plate umpire.
Shaken, but not stirred, Expos starter Sabry (17) reeled off two strikeouts to help diffuse the Mariners uprising in the first frame.
Not to be outdone. the Expos quickly answered back with a four spot in the bottom half of the first inning to take a 4-1 advantage.
With resolve, Emmett (9) sparked the Expos attack with a leadoff double.
Atticus (14) followed with a RBI single that brought Emmett home with the game tying run. Atticus would advance to second base on the play.
With his eye on the prize, Sabry delivered a RBI double that allowed Atticus to zoom home with the Expos go ahead run.
Exercising due patience at the dish, Mason (16) and Ewan (5) garnered respective walks that loaded the bases for the Expos.
Finn (7) and Ezra (4) followed with a pair of bases loaded RBI walks that brought Sabry and Mason homeward with two more Expos runs.
In a lionhearted effort, Mariners starter Sydney (3) rang up two strikeouts against the Expos in the bottom of the first frame.
With no desire to be left behind in the rearview mirror, the Mariners responded with a pair in the top of the second inning to trim the margin to 4-3.
After hustle bustle one out single by Sam (1), Edward (16) stroked a two out single that put two Mariners on the dance floor.
Following a walk by Ellie (17) that loaded the bases, Alex (14) drew a bases loaded RBI walk that allowed Sam to come home with a Mariners run.
With the bases still packed tighter than a tin of StarKist Tuna, Yejun delivered a clutch RBI single that brought Edward home with a run that made it a one run game.
With determination, Expos reliever Mason rang up three strikeouts to subdue the Mariners insurgency in the top of the second frame.
The Expos threatened again in the bottom of the second inning following a leadoff single by Ethan (1).
Refusing to pussyfoot around the mulberry bush, Mariners reliever Owen rang up three consecutive strikeouts to put the kibosh on the Expos insurrection in the second frame.
With backbone, the Mariners scored four runs in the top of the third inning to take a 7-4 lead.
After a searing leadoff single by Eli, Finn drew a walk that put a pair of Mariners on the high seas.
With runners on third and first, Owen delivered a RBI double that advanced Finn to third base and allowed Eli to blaze home with the Mariners game tying run.
Making the most of his opportunity, Miro followed with a RBI single that brought Finn home with the M’s go ahead run.
Following a walk by Sydney that loaded the bases, Nate (6) drew a RBI bases loaded walk that brought Owen home with a Mariners run.
With the bases still loaded, Sam (1) muscled a RBI hit that allowed Miro to zoom home with another Mariners run.
In a spirited foray on the hill, Expos reliever Ethan faced seven Mariners batters in the top of the third frame.
Refusing to go quietly into the night. the Expos punched back with a run in the bottom half of the third inning to trim the margin to 7-5.
Following a rough and tumble two out double by Emmett, Atticus stroked a single that put two Expos on the discotheque floor.
With runners on third and second, Sabry delivered a RBI single that allowed Emmett to motor home with an Expos run.
Utilizing a degree of guile, Mariners reliever Yejun chalked up two strikeouts to end the Expos dissent in the bottom of the third frame.
The Mariners threatened to add to an insurance run to their Bitcoin portfolio in the top portion of the fourth inning.
After fouling off a couple of pitches, Edward delivered an immaculate triple to spark the Mariners attack.
Throwing down the gauntlet, Expos reliever Emmett answered the clarion call and rang up three Nasty Canasta strikeouts to keep the M’s off the scoresheet and stamp out the Mariners defiance in the fourth frame.
With their season on the line, the Expos rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take an 8-7 lead.
After a leadoff single by Mason, Robbie (2) and Ewan garnered back to back walks to load the bases.
Subsequently, Jude (8) stroked a one out bases loaded RBI single that allowed Mason to score a run that trimmed the Expos deficit to one.
With the bases still packed to the gills, Ezra drew a bases loaded RBI walk that brought Robbie home with the Expos game tying run.
With the proceedings deadlocked 7-7 and the bases loaded, Ethan hit into a 1-5 fielders choice that erased Jude at third, advanced Ezra to second, and allowed Ewan to hustle home with the Expos go ahead run.
Focused on adding some insurance, Cameron (1) kept the pressure on the Mariners by stroking a two out single to reload the bases for the Expos.
However, Mariners reliever Miro rose to the occasion and sandwiched a groundout between two strikeouts to quash the Expos insurrection in the fourth frame.
Trailing 8-7, the Mariners donned their rally caps as they came up for their potential final at bats of the season in the top of the fifth inning.
After Expos closer Ewan had rung up two lickety-split outs against the M’s with a 1-3 groundout and a strikeout, Eli delivered a do or die single to keep the Mariners hopes alive.
Following a pair of debonair steals by Eli that advanced him to third base, the Expos uncorked a wild pitch in the dirt that allowed Eli to zoom homeward in a bold as brass bid to tie the game.
As Eli barreled towards home plate, Ewan retrieved the short hop toss from Expos catcher Emmett and tagged out Eli before he could reach the plate for the dramatic third out that sealed the deal on the Expos slender tenderloin championship victory over the Mariners.
