Go BCC Blue Jays!: Total Team Effort

The Blue Jays overcame an early rain shower and a late rally with a complete team effort against the Pirates Sunday, April 28, at Glen Hills Park.

Each player made a significant contribution at the plate, on the base paths, in the field, or on the mound.

The final score was Blue Jays 7, Pirates 6.

April 28 Game Report

Charlie Knowles led the way with his splendid all-around play. He led off the game with a line drive single to left field, walked and scored in the third, and blasted an RBI single in the fourth. Charlie was a defensive fiend in the field, assisting on five outs at 1st base and snaring a hard line drive that ended the game and capped a superb performance.

The Blue Jays employed a platoon system at 2nd base with great success, thanks in large part to the efforts of Gavin Ferguson. Ranging to his left in the fifth inning, Gavin kept the ball in front of him, cleanly fielded a grounder, and threw a strike to 1st base to register the penultimate out of the game. Offensively, Gavin's grounder up the middle drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the fourth. He also reached base on a walk in the second inning.

Chris Pernie is making a habit of throwing out opposing runners from the 2nd base position. He did it again Sunday, scooping up a grounder and delivering a perfect throw to complete the final out in the bottom of the first. Chris's hustle on the bases gave his team the lead in the top of the fourth. After drawing a walk, he stole 2nd and 3rd on consecutive pitches, putting himself in position to score on a two-out single.

Dylan Edwards was another key cog in the defensive rotation at 2nd base. He moved to his left, snatched a grounder, and unleashed an accurate throw that just beat the runner at 1st base to end the bottom half of the third inning. Earlier, Dylan's heady play in center field brought the second inning to a close. He grabbed a bouncing base hit and quickly delivered the ball to the cut-off man who subsequently threw to 1st for a rare 8-1-3 tag-out. Offensively, Dylan walked and scored his team's final run in the top of the fourth.

Sam Berman entered the catching rotation and provided a good target, a live arm, and sound decision-making behind the dish. Starting the game on the mound, Sam overcame a wet baseball and a 50-foot pitching distance to strike out three batters in two innings. He was the cut-off man that gunned down the runner on the 8-1-3 put-out. Offensively, Sam ripped two singles and tied for team honors with two RBI.

John Wyatt was a revelation in his career pitching debut. He threw lots of strikes, struck out two batters, and gave up just one run in two innings of work. He also fielded his position well, collecting a grounder and throwing to 1st base for an out in the bottom of the third. At the plate, John continues to look for better luck. He launched a fly ball to right field in the fifth inning and was robbed on an outstanding defensive play.

Ethan Yu's consistency with the bat has made him a mainstay at the number-three spot in the order. In Sunday's game, he knocked two solid singles and drove in a run. Ethan continued to impress on the mound, throwing strikes and notching three outs to close the game in the fifth inning. He, too, made a big defensive play to help his own cause, moving to his right, snagging a grounder, and throwing to 1st base for the out.

Jaden Smith fought threw a few bruises to take solid turns at catcher in the first, second, and fifth innings. His quick moves behind the plate appeared to curb the aggressiveness of the opposing base runners. Offensively, Jaden bounced a single through the infield and scored a run to extend the Blue Jays' deciding two-out rally in the top of the fourth.

Jake Lang proved that a steady batting eye and good base running can lead to valuable production. He drew walks in the third and fourth innings, stole two bases and scored two runs, leading the team in the latter category. Defensively, Jake made a fantastic play on the ball in right field and delivered a great throw to 1st base that nearly took away a hit in the bottom of the fourth.

Rayan Nair is rapidly becoming an extra-base hit machine. His fifth inning double down the 3rd base line marked the fifth time that he's gone for extra bases this season. He also drove in a run when he grounded into a fielder's choice in the top of the third. Defensively, Rayan gives the Blue Jays another reliable option at shortstop, where he caught two line drives for outs in the bottom of the fourth.

Jack Raymond took one for the team when he was hit by a pitch in the top of the fifth. He subsequently turned on the jets and stole 2nd base. Jack played his typical solid game defensively, handling left field in the first and second innings and right field in the fifth.

George Roggie gave the Blue Jays a boost at the bottom of the order, drawing a walk in the third and knocking a single in the fourth. He also scored a run and produced an RBI. Defensively, George was the final cog in the 8-1-3 play that ended the bottom half of the second inning. He also recorded an unassisted put-out on a grounder at 1st base in the same frame.