Go BCC Blue Jays!: Almost Home!

The Blue Jays delivered another outstanding performance in their game with the Marlins Sunday, October 6, at Avenel Park.

From start to finish, this was a fun and competitive game on a perfect day for baseball. The final score was Blue Jays 14, Marlins 8.

October 6 Game Report

Good baseball begins with the type of pitching and defense that Ethan Yu provided in Sunday's game. Keeping his pitches around the strike zone, Ethan allowed just one hit and one walk and struck out three in 1.1 innings of work. His defensive gem at 2nd base was another major highlight. Ranging to his left and dropping to his knees, Ethan snagged a bouncer on a tough hop and flipped the ball to 1st base to complete the final out in the top of the third inning. Offensively, Ethan walked and scored in the fifth.

Charlie Knowles is a key cog in the potent middle of the Blue Jays' lineup. He drew a walk in the second, smacked a single to left field in the fourth, and courageously absorbed an errant pitch in the fifth. Charlie was rewarded for his trouble with three runs scored and an RBI. Defensively, he recorded an infield assist at 1st base in the first inning and an assist at 2nd base in the fourth.

Chris Pernie made efficient use of his limited plate appearances. He looped a clean single over the 2nd baseman's head to lead off the bottom of the third. One inning later, he drew a bases-loaded walk. Chris ended the day with a 1-for-1 batting line, a run scored, and an RBI. Defensively, he played well at 2nd base, 3rd base, and in the outfield.

Max Ferguson continued his habit of tormenting opposing defenses. He ripped a triple to left center field in the second inning and added singles in the fourth and fifth. His 3-for-3 day included three runs scored and an RBI. Max leads the team with eleven runs and ranks second with eleven ribbies this season. Defensively, he did an outstanding job behind the plate in the first two innings and played heads-up baseball at 3rd base and in the outfield.

Jake Lang is quietly putting together an outstanding season in every facet of the game. Jake drew walks to load the bases in the second and third innings and delivered a run-scoring single that drove in his team's final tally of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Jake's 1-for-1 day included a run scored and an RBI. Defensively, he fielded a tricky dribbler and stepped on 1st base to notch the first out of the second inning. That play gave Jake three unassisted put-outs this season.

John Wyatt contributed to the cause with his arm, glove, and bat. Pitching throughout the middle innings, John recorded three strikeouts and just one walk. Defensively, he made a huge catch on a fly ball to center field in the top of the fifth. Offensively, John's 2nd inning base hit to left field drove in a run and continued a rally that had to be stopped by the five-run rule.

Jaden Smith's bat appears to be gaining life with each passing week. In Sunday's game, Jaden ripped a single in the second and drew a walk in the fourth. His day at the plate included a run scored and two RBIs. In addition to doing excellent work at catcher, Jaden stepped to the pitching rubber to put the finishing touches on the final inning. He demonstrated improved command, striking out one batter and walking only two.

Sam Berman's excellent all-around play is becoming a matter of routine. He pitched the first two innings, allowing just one run on no hits and two walks. Defensively, Sam notched an infield assist in the first inning. Later, he ranged from the shortstop position into shallow center field to catch a fly ball that ended the game. Offensively, Sam blasted a double in the fifth, knocked a single in the third, scored a run and delivered an RBI.

Rayan Nair completed a very active weekend of baseball with a great performance Sunday afternoon. Offensively, he singled in the first, walked in the fifth, scored one run and drove in another. Defensively, Rayan provided a reliable target from behind the dish in the fifth and sixth innings. He nearly threw out a runner at home plate with a great throw from left center field.

Jack Raymond is assembling an impressive body of work with the bat this season. In the game with the Marlins, Jack cracked an RBI single in the bottom of the second that drove in his team's fifth and final run of the inning. He's now the third-leading run producer on the team with five runs batted in this fall. Defensively, Jack played well at 2nd base and very nearly made a spectacular catch in center field in the game's final stanza.

After breaking out with a big hit in last week's game, Gavin Ferguson continued to demonstrate some serious aggressiveness at the plate. He took several big rips in two trips to the batter's box. Defensively, Gavin did well to limit the damage when he fielded the ball in left field and delivered a good throw to the cut-off man. He also played well at 2nd base.

George Roggie is on a hot streak for the ages. Sunday, he clobbered three more singles to the outfield, raising his season's batting average to a ridiculous .923. George scored two runs and drove in four, bringing his five-game RBI total to 14. A traditionally steady glove at 1st base, George caught a liner in the third and added two infield assists in the fourth. George leads the team with nine assists and five unassisted put-outs this season.

The Marlins proved to be an outstanding young team that can look forward to a very bright future.

Look out, BCC - these guys are going to be very good for a long, long time!

Big Help

Tom Yu did his thing at 1st base, helped out with pregame batting practice, and lugged equipment wherever it needed to go.

Brian Ferguson sent 'em home from 3rd base all afternoon long. He's enjoyed an unusually busy season this fall.

Fred Knowles is now contractually obligated to attend all games and serve as bench coach. He gets his weekends back in one more week. For the fourth time in four games, the Blue Jays' run total reached the teens with Fred in attendance.

We know this because Steve Berman again handled score keeping duties with aplomb. Even better, our game did not conflict with the Ravens this week, allowing Steve to give the Blue Jays his undivided attention.