Go BCC Blue Jays!: BCC Baseball at its Best!

The Blue Jays and the Astros treated everyone to an example of BCC Baseball at its best Sunday, May 20, at Westland Middle School.

Dylan Edwards, Dylan Yoon, Braden Poon, Jeremy Robertson, George Roggie, Ethan Yu, Sam Berman, Charlie Knowles, John Wyatt, Ryan Groban, Gavin Ferguson and Justin Conner all contributed to an outstanding team effort.

The Blue Jays overcame a slow start with a gutty performance and a fantastic finish in a highly competitive game that featured two outstanding teams.

The final score was Blue Jays 9, Astros 7.

May 20 Game Report

John Wyatt provided the late game heroics for the Blue Jays. Above, he rips a line drive past the shortstop and into left field for a three-run walk-off home run that ended the game and attracted a flock of Blue Jays at home plate to congratulate him. John went 3-for-3 on the day, scored two runs and collected three RBI.

Always eager to play the catcher position, John did a fabulous job behind the plate in the sixth inning. He also fielded two bouncers in left field in the first inning.

The smooth fielding of Gavin Ferguson kept the Blue Jays' comeback hopes alive. Gavin stopped a ground ball at pitcher's helper in the third inning, threw accurately to Charlie Knowles at 1st base to get the out, and then watched as Charlie threw home to catcher Braden Poon for a tag out on a rare 1-3-2 double play. In the fifth inning, Gavin again stopped a bouncing grounder at pitcher's helper and threw to Charlie for the out at 1st base.

Gavin followed up his hit in Saturday's practice with another significant step forward at the plate in Sunday's game. In his second at bat, Gavin fouled off two tough pitches. He is improving his swing and increasing his contact every week.

Once again, Braden Poon came up big at key moments. Above, Braden gets the offense rolling with an RBI double in the second inning. Braden also delivered a single, hit into a fielder's choice, scored three runs, and produced three RBI.

Braden completed the 1-3-2 double play at the catcher position in the third inning. But he saved his best fielding moment for the most crucial point of the game. Playing in left field, Braden stood ready as the Astros attempted to add to their one run lead with two on and two out in the sixth inning. The batter sent a high fly ball to short left field. Braden pursued, but so, too, did shortstop Sam Berman.

You see the result. Somehow, Braden managed to hang on to the ball as both players hit the deck. Braden's circus catch prevented two runs from scoring and set the table for the Blue Jays in the bottom half of the final inning. Great job, Braden!

After a rough first inning in the field, the Blue Jays got off to a great start in the second frame thanks to Dylan Edwards. The photo above captures the difficulty of the play. Dylan fielded a high bouncer at 2nd base and delivered a FedExer - on time, correct location - to Sam Berman at 1st base for the first out of the inning. The Blue Jays' defense tightened considerably from that point.

Dylan put in additional work both before and after Saturday's practice to improve his swing. The extra effort paid off in Sunday's game. Above, Dylan stands at 1st base after lofting a single to the right side of the infield in the second inning.

George Roggie has been a clutch performer all season long. Here, George stands on 3rd base and breaks into a grin after cracking a triple to center field in the fourth inning. George also added a single, reached on a fielder's choice, scored two runs and generated an RBI.

George continued to rack up infield assists in the game with the Astros. Playing at 1st base, he hauled in a great throw from pitcher's helper Dylan Yoon to complete an out in the fourth inning. George helped the Blue Jays get off to a good start defensively in the top of the sixth, stretching to his right and inhaling a laser from shortstop Sam Berman to log the first out of the inning.

Charlie Knowles was the middle cog in the 1-3-2 double play combination in the third inning. A consistently solid fielder, Charlie started the fifth inning by catching a throw from Gavin Ferguson to complete an assisted out at 1st base. He then ended the inning when he stopped a bouncing grounder and stepped on the bag.

Charlie bolstered the Blue Jays' offensive output with singles in the first and fifth innings. He leads to team with 14 hits and an .875 batting average through five games.

Sam Berman continued to hit the ball with authority, knocking a solid single in the first inning. His line drive in the bottom of the fifth was likely the best contact of the day. Unfortunately, the ball somehow found the glove of the Astros' 2nd baseman, who made an incredible shoestring grab to rob Sam of an extra base hit.

Sam appeared to be right at home in his first tour of duty at catcher in the fourth inning. We liked how he bolted from behind the plate, picked up a dribbler, and threw to 1st base in an effort to get an out. He earned an assist in the second inning when he nabbed a throw from Dylan Edwards at 1st base. Sam's ground ball pickup and throw from the shortstop position to 1st baseman George Roggie to start the sixth inning was simply magnificent.

Ryan Groban added to his long list of defensive exploits at shortstop. He moved to his left and snatched a hard line drive for a quick out in the third inning. Ryan also stopped two grounders in left field and returned the ball to the infield to prevent extra bases. Those are very important contributions in a close game.

Playing against quality competition has enabled the Blue Jays to learn that collecting hits requires some good luck. Ryan could have used a bit more of it in Sunday's game. He made good contact in each of his three trips to the plate, only to be thrown out on solid plays by the right side of the Astros' infield.

Justin Conner continues to produce at a rapid clip offensively. In Sunday's game, Justin went 3-for-3 with a double, two singles, and a run scored. The Blue Jays struck offensively in the second, fourth, and sixth innings. Justin was in the middle of every rally.

Preventing runs is every bit as important as scoring. Justin's heads-up play in right field stopped a potential rally in the fourth inning. He alertly backed up the 1st baseman and returned an errant throw to the infield, ensuring that the base runners could not advance.

Jeremy Robertson jump-started the Blue Jays' defense in the top of the first inning. Playing at 3rd base, he stopped a high bouncer and stepped on the bag for an unassisted force out. That was the last of several difficult grounders that Jeremy handled at the hot corner in the opening frame.

Jeremy is another player who could have used better luck at the plate. He smacked a hard line drive in the fourth inning that appeared to be headed for left field. Unfortunately, it was an at 'em ball that went directly to the Astros' highly skilled shortstop.

Dylan Yoon had only two at bats in Sunday's game, but he certainly made the most of them. Dylan ignited the Blue Jays' offense with a three-run home run to left field in the second inning. Returning to do more damage in the bottom of the fourth, Dylan knocked a crisp single up the middle. His 2-for-2 day included five total bases, a run scored, and a team best four RBI.

Dylan has developed into a consistent out maker at the pitcher's helper position. He added to his season total with a good stop and throw to George Roggie at 1st base in the fourth inning. That was just one of many tough grounders that Dylan fielded at close range.

Ethan Yu knocked down bouncing grounders throughout the afternoon at the 2nd base and shortstop positions. He also prevented hits from getting past him in the outfield and limited the opponents' scoring opportunities.

A reliable batsman, Ethan stroked a solid single in the fifth inning. For the season, he is hitting at a .688 clip with seven runs scored. Those marks put Ethan among the team's offensive leaders.

What it's all About!

The Blue Jays wrapped up the celebration of their dramatic comeback and congratulated the Astros for a truly terrific game. Both teams hit the ball well and made great plays in the field. Both teams deserved to win. And both teams should be recognized for the way that they handled themselves before, during and after a close and competitive game.

The Astros' coaches have our thanks and respect. Their team had fun, did its best, and demonstrated outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship. This game was indeed an example of BCC Baseball at its best!

Great Chemistry!

The Blue Jays are fortunate to have so many great coaches and volunteers. It all begins with Tom Yu. He provided sound advice to runners at first base and executed his umpiring duties with fairness and accuracy.

Chuck Edwards stepped up and did a fantastic job in the 3rd base coaching box. He also assisted in calibrating the pitching machine between innings.

Like her son, Jeremy, Trista Robertson embraces difficult tasks with a smile on her face. The Blue Jays could not ask for a better bench coach.

Susan Poon's score keeping acumen is unrivaled. In effect, she is the one who wrote this game report.

Kristina Wyatt often takes it upon herself to help the catchers get suited up. This week, we finally caught her in the act. Thanks, Kristina!

Kevin Conner is a jack of all trades. In the photo above, Kevin explains to Chuck Edwards how he planned to take in Justin's game, watch his other three kids, keep the Gatorade cold, help the catchers with the gear, and look after our baby so that Sarah could shoot photographs. Thanks to Kevin and Dina Zupnik for providing the post game refreshments!

Game to Remember!