The Blue Jays broke out the bats and caused heads to turn throughout the contest with the Athletics Sunday, June 1, at Newport Mill Middle School. This was a stellar offensive performance on a perfect day for baseball.
The Blue Jays bashed a team record 23 hits. Every player, at minimum, either scored or drove in a run.
Good pitching and fielding helped, too. The final score was Blue Jays 17, Athletics 7.
June 1 Game Report
Michael Hardie squared one up in the bottom of the fourth and rocketed a line drive triple to left field that would have been a home run had it not been slowed by outfield grass that was last mowed during the Truman Administration. That was the best hit we've ever seen in a BCC recreational league game! Michael also ripped a single and a double, scored two runs, and plated an amazing five RBIs. He played heads-up defense at 3rd base, nearly completing a put-out on a bang-bang stolen base attempt.
Sam Berman made noise with his bat and silenced those of the opposition. His 3-for-3 day at the plate included a trio of opposite field line drives, a run scored, and an RBI. On the mound, Sam was dominant, striking out six and allowing no runs, no hits, and just one walk in two quick and quiet innings of work. He has rung up 21 strikeouts in 9.1 innings through six games. For good measure, Sam added an infield assist, charging from the shortstop position to field a dribbler and beat the runner to 1st base with an excellent throw.
Gavin Ferguson saw the ball BIG on this day. His extra-base hit explosion began with a double to right center field in the bottom of the second inning. Gavin then put the game on ice in the bottom of the fifth, driving another double to right that drove in two runs. He also scored twice. Defensively, Gavin didn't get many chances but played alert baseball at 2nd base and in left field.
Cole Hughes boosted his batting average to .667 with a 3-for-3 performance that included shots to the outfield in the first, third and fifth innings. The team leader in runs scored, Cole motored around the bases to put two more tallies on the board. He also delivered his ninth RBI of the season. Defensively, Cole continued to impress at catcher, blocking pitches in the dirt and making great throws to 2nd and 3rd on stolen base attempts. He proved to be an effective closer on the mound, as well, allowing no runs and just one hit in the game's final inning.
Jack Raymond brought a hot bat to the game with the Athletics. First, he scorched a liner up the middle for a base hit in the bottom of the second inning. He then repeated that performance, crushing a run scoring single to center field in the home half of the fourth. Jack's offensive exploits included a run scored and an RBI. Jack almost pulled off the defensive play of the game, scooping up a grounder in right field and making a good throw to 1st base that very nearly arrived ahead of the runner.
Eli Kroskin was one of eight Blue Jays to come through with a multi-hit game. He grounded a solid single to the left side in the second inning and lined a laser to left field in the fifth. In both instances, Eli subsequently flew around the bases and scored. Defensively, he made a nice catch at 3rd base on a throw from center field to prevent a runner from scoring in the top of the second.
Derek Sappenfield received congratulations upon joining the hit parade in the bottom of the third. His liner to right field drove in a run. He would later deliver another quality at-bat, spoiling good pitches, drawing a walk, and eventually scoring a run. Defensively, Derek was kept busy at 2nd base in the first and fifth innings. He also played well in the outfield.
Will Dash enjoyed a solid pitching debut in the game with the Athletics. He went all the way on the mound in the top of the fifth, allowing just two runs and three hits and striking out two. Will's defensive contributions extended all the way to 2nd base, where he fielded a grounder and threw to 1st for an easy put-out to start the sixth inning. Offensively, Will walked, reached on a fielder's choice, and scored two runs.
Xander Yu is a plug-and-play guy; you can plug him into the lineup anywhere, and he'll give you great effort and fundamentally sound baseball. In Sunday's game, Xander turned in the kind of dependable catching performance the Blue Jays have come to expect. He pitched the first two innings, striking out three, walking just two, and contributing an infield assist. Offensively, Xander continued to thrive in the lead-off role, knocking three base hits, scoring twice, and delivering two RBIs.
Jake Lang gave the Blue Jays a much needed boost in the bottom of the first inning. Batting with two out and his team trailing by a run, Jake smacked a grounder through the hole between 1st and 2nd for a base hit and an RBI, his eighth run driven in this season. Defensively, Jake helped his team get out of a jam in the top of the second, gathering a throw from the pitcher to complete a bases loaded, rally ending put-out at 1st base.
Andre Schnider contributed to the 1st inning rally with a well hit single up the middle. His day also included a walk and two runs scored. Defensively, Andre continued to excel on the left side of the infield, nabbing a grounder and delivering an excellent throw across the diamond to 1st base to retire the side and end a scoring threat in the top of the fifth.
George Roggie belted two line drive singles and drove in three runs, raising his team leading RBI total to 15. He collected three assists and handled a grounder unassisted at 1st base. George's contributions also included team photographer duties! He took almost all of the photos in this Game Report!
All-In!
Brian Ferguson struck an unusual pose for our ten year old photographer. He also assisted with warm-ups, coached at 1st base, and aided the head coach in every way possible.
Derrick Raymond kept the drain circling from the 1st base coaching box and ensured that no players were lost in the tall outfield grass at Newport Mill.
Steve Berman had little time for conversation. He was too busy recording hits and filling in the little diamonds on the home team side of the ledger.
This performance induced ear-to-ear grins for much of the afternoon.
Two games remain, both with the Pirates.
The mutiny begins next week!
Coach Steve
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