Go BCC Blue Jays!: Baseball Bonanza ends with a Bang

Any way you look at it, the busiest weekend in Blue Jays history was a big hit.

It began with Saturday's game with a good Curveballs team at the pristine Cabin John Regional. The final in that one was Blue Jays 5, Curveballs 1.

Practice was light and fun.

The headliner, Sunday's game with the Phillies, was the perfect way to wrap things up.

The final score was Blue Jays 11, Phillies 7.

April 27 Game Report

When the Blue Jays needed to bolster their catching depth, Will Dash volunteered. No one could have anticipated the dynamic debut that Will turned in behind the dish in Sunday's game. With one out in the top of the third, Will positioned himself perfectly to block the plate, catch the throw from the left fielder, and tag out a runner who was attempting to score. Then, on the very next play, he did the same thing AGAIN. Will also chipped in offensively, knocking an infield grounder and collecting an RBI.

Gavin Ferguson is daring base runners to try to score when he patrols left field. After throwing out a runner at the plate in the season opener, Gavin delivered an encore performance not once, but twice in the game with the Phillies. First, he scooped up a well hit double and delivered a dart to home, erasing a potential score. Then, he alertly backed up 3rd base on a steal attempt, picked up the errant throw, and eliminated what had appeared to be a certain run. Offensively, Gavin drew a walk and scored a run.

Michael Hardie launched a memorable blast in the bottom of the third inning. Just one week after making a couple of minor adjustments to his swing at an optional practice, Michael uncorked a missile that was still rising when it cleared the left fielder. It was his first career home run, but probably not his last. Michael also drew a walk, scored a run, and collected two RBIs. Defensively, Michael played well at 2nd base and in the outfield.

Cole Hughes is a bona fide Renaissance Man on the baseball field. Cole demonstrated his versatility throughout Sunday's game. His work at catcher - providing a great target, securing the ball, and firing excellent throws on stolen base attempts - was outstanding. When he took the mound in the top of the fifth, he proved to be an effective finisher, striking out two and closing the game with a fastball down the middle. Cole didn't get many pitches to hit in his two trips to the plate, but he showed patience, drawing two walks, scoring twice, and contributing an RBI.

Jake Lang is a gamer who continues to earn opportunities with hard work and rising production. Jake proved to be a reliable glove at 1st base, catching a zinger from the shortstop to complete an assisted put-out that ended the bottom half of the fourth inning. He had already notched his first assisted put-out of the season earlier in the same frame. Offensively, Jake earned a walk, hit into a fielder's choice, scored a run, and led the team with three RBIs.

Xander Yu exhibited impressive mental toughness on the mound in the first two innings. Battling a tight strike zone, patient opposing batters, and a couple of fielding errors behind him, Xander continued to pound the strike zone and challenge hitters. The result was one unearned run to go along with four strikeouts. Playing at shortstop in the fourth, Xander first caught a fly ball for one out and then fielded a grounder and delivered a dart to 1st base to secure the final out of the inning. Batting in the lead-off spot, Xander singled in the first, walked in the fourth, and scored a run.

Andre Schnider is quickly evolving into a stellar all-around player. Not expecting to pitch in Sunday's game, Andre nevertheless answered the bullpen telephone and accepted the challenge. He retired three consecutive batters to thwart what appeared to be a promising Phillies rally in the bottom of the fourth. Andre helped his own cause defensively, stabbing a come-backer and flipping to 1st base for an out. At the plate, Andre waited for strikes that never came, walking twice, scoring a run, and adding an RBI.

Derek Sappenfield is a developing player who demonstrated outstanding instincts and improved mechanics in the game with the Phillies. Derek needed no prompting to cover the bag from the 2nd base position when the ball was hit to the left side of the infield, catching a throw from the shortstop to notch a force-out in the second inning. In the bottom of the fifth, he fielded a grounder and fired a dart to 1st base that ended the game. Widening his batting stance, Derek walked in the first and belted a hard grounder to the shortstop in the third.

Jack Raymond reconfirmed his standing as an RBI machine for the Blue Jays. Batting in the bottom of the fourth, Jack cracked a hard grounder to the opposing 2nd baseman. He nearly beat the throw to 1st, but more importantly, he drove in the runner who had started at 2nd base. Jack had already put his keen batting eye to work, drawing a walk in the bottom of the second. Defensively, he played heads-up baseball at both corner outfield positions.

Sam Berman found himself in some rugged battles with surprisingly aggressive Phillies hitters in the top of the third. He refused to budge, giving up zero runs and striking out one. But it was his early defensive highlight that really set the tone. Playing at shortstop with two on and two out in the bottom of the first, Sam drifted back and to his left to corral a dangerous Texas League single in the making and convert it into an out. Offensively, Sam walked in the first, singled in the second, scored two runs, and delivered an RBI.

Eli Kroskin was challenged throughout the day by some well hit grounders at various infield positions. Showing resiliency and an excellent sense of timing, Eli fielded a grounder on a tough hop at shortstop and threw a strike to 1st base that ended a potentially big rally. Eli didn't see many pitches to his liking in three trips to the plate, drawing two walks, scoring a run, and nearly beating out a play at 1st base for an infield hit.

George Roggie enjoyed a relatively quiet game, walking in the first inning, knocking a single in the second, scoring a run and driving in two. He also assisted on a put-out at 1st base in the bottom of the fifth. Content to watch his teammates excel, George offered his opinion of the game in the waning moments.

Thumbs up, indeed!

Preparation & Production

Brian Ferguson worked to get the team ready at Saturday's practice and at both weekend games. The fact that every Blue Jays player and coach arrived at least 30 minutes prior to Sunday's game should not be overlooked. This team was ready to play.

Steve Berman enjoyed a couple hours away from his weekend workload to come work for us, keeping score. Thanks, Steve!

Wade Hughes made his Blue Jays coaching debut at 1st base, bringing energy and enthusiasm to each offensive stanza. Our photos of him didn't turn out, so we Googled him and found the picture above.

He still looks just like that!