Go BCC Blue Jays!: Hard work rewarded amid High Drama

The Blue Jays delivered another fantastic team effort in their match-up with the Phillies Sunday, September 29, at Avenel Park.

This one was intense throughout. You could see it on the players' faces.

Parents appeared to feel it, too.

By day's end, patience and perseverance had paid off handsomely. The final score was Blue Jays 13, Phillies 9.

September 29 Game Report

Gavin Ferguson delivered a key base hit at a crucial moment. His bases-loaded line shot to right field in the top of the fourth inning was the centerpiece of the deciding rally. Gavin put together quality at-bats throughout the game, spoiling good pitches and drawing walks in the third and sixth innings. For the season, Gavin's on-base percentage is a robust .667. Defensively, he played well at 2nd base and in the outfield.

Jaden Smith came up with a strong offensive effort in the game with the Phillies. Above, he pops up after stealing 2nd base in the fourth inning. Jaden knocked a single to right field in the sixth, walked in the fourth, and scored two runs. Defensively, he did an outstanding job at catcher in the fifth and sixth and played quality baseball at 3rd base in the early innings.

Chris Pernie plays with an aggressive style that befits a guy with a mohawk. He played a crucial role in the Blue Jays' fourth inning rally, smacking a run-scoring single to the outfield. Chris drew a walk in the third, scored two runs, and delivered an RBI. Defensively, Chris did a fine job in left field and at 2nd base.

Ethan Yu gave the Blue Jays solid work on the mound in the bottom of the third. He threw strikes and allowed his teammates to make the plays behind him. Ethan came up with a defensive gem at 2nd base, cleanly fielding a hard grounder and throwing to 1st for the second out in the bottom of the second. Offensively, Ethan walked in the fifth, reached on a fielder's choice in the third, and scored a run.

Jake Lang helped the Blue Jays put the game on ice in the bottom of the sixth. Playing at 3rd base, he tracked a high pop-fly, drifted several feet into foul territory, and made the catch to complete the penultimate out of the game. Jake also did an outstanding job at 1st base. Offensively, Jake participated in the fourth inning rally, drawing a lead-off walk and scoring a run.

Jack Raymond was a run-scoring machine for the Blue Jays. After getting hit by a pitch in the top of the third, Jack stole second and subsequently scored. Then, in the top of the fourth, Jack delivered an RBI single and scored again. Jack ranks among the team leaders with four RBIs this season. Defensively, he put in quality work in the outfield.

Rayan Nair loves to be in the middle of the action. After requesting another stint at catcher, he did a great job keeping the ball in front of him in the first two innings. Rayan also made an incredible play at shortstop in the bottom of the third, handling a bouncer and firing to 1st for the out. Offensively, Rayan singled in the first and sixth, walked in the fourth, scored a run, and collected two RBIs.

Sam Berman battled his way through three innings on the mound. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters. Sam earned an infield assist in the bottom of the second, snaring a grounder and firing a rocket to 1st base that not only completed the out, but also broke the 1st baseman's mitt! Offensively, Sam singled in the fourth, walked in the first, scored a run, and generated two RBIs.

Max Ferguson gives the Blue Jays another reliable pitching option. He worked the first two innings of Sunday's game, striking out one batter and allowing just two hits and two walks. Max added an infield assist in the bottom of the third, gathering a ground ball and tossing to 1st base for the out. A force in the middle of the batting order, Max belted singles in the first and third, reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth, scored two runs, and added two RBIs.

John Wyatt put it all together at the plate in the top of the fourth. With his team clinging to a small lead, John roped a line drive to left field that drove in a run and sparked what would prove to be the deciding rally. He would later score. Defensively, John did an excellent job at catcher in the third and fourth innings, blocking pitches in the dirt and getting the ball back to the pitcher.

George Roggie is entering bona fide slugger territory. His third inning blast cleared the right fielder by at least 30 feet. George was credited with a triple because the five-runs per inning limit ended the play, but it sure looked like a legitimate home run. George then demonstrated opposite field power with a double to left field in the fifth. Defensively, George completed four unassisted put-outs and assisted on five more at 1st base.

When the game was over, the Blue Jays congratulated the Phillies, a very good team indeed. These guys are a lot like us - friends and classmates who have played together for a long time, worked hard, improved a lot, and benefited from strong parent participation.

These teams first met in the fall season of 2009. Four years later - almost half a lifetime for the kids- they treated us to an outstanding baseball game.

Strong Support

Tom Yu kept the carousel going at 1st base, assisted with pregame batting practice, carried equipment, and offered helpful advice from the bench.

Brian Ferguson coached at 3rd base, warmed up pitchers, offered prescient advice to the head coach, and prevented baseballs from going into the woods during pregame batting practice.

Fred Knowles demonstrated the awesome team spirit of the Blue Jays. Charlie was sick and unable to play, but Fred came anyway and served as bench coach.

It's a good thing, too. The Blue Jays are scoring 2.8 runs per inning this season with Fred in attendance. In the five innings he missed, the scoring rate dropped to 0.4 per inning.

We might assign someone to drive Fred to the season's final two games.

Steve Berman converted the day's activities into usable data in the score book. In addition to feeding the coach's addiction to stats, Steve provided the raw material for this game report.

Two for the Show!