The Way to Finish!

The Blue Jays tied a bow on a great season with a sublime performance in their rematch with the Pirates Sunday, June 15, at Lynnbrook Park.

These guys know how to honor their parents.  Having played their best game of the season on Mothers' Day, the Jays somehow managed to match it on Fathers' Day.

The final score was Blue Jays 20, Pirates 1.

June 15 Game Report

Gavin Ferguson's development as a hitter mirrored that of his team in the second half of the season.  In Sunday's game, he not only extended a hitting streak but also generated a perfect 3-for-3 batting line.  Gavin's exploits included a double in the sixth inning, singles in the second and fourth, a run scored and an RBI.  Collecting seven hits in the final three games, Gavin raised his batting average to a personal best .412.  Defensively, Gavin worked hard and earned more time at 2nd base throughout the spring.  The ball never found him in Sunday's game, but he was ready.

Cole Hughes put his name in the team record book with an offensive explosion for the ages.  He warmed up with a double in the first inning, cranked a home run in the third, and blasted another double in the fifth.  Cole scored one run and would have had more if not for the 5-run limit.  Most impressively, he tied a single-game Blue Jays record with seven RBIs.  On the mound, Cole was accurate and efficient, logging a 1-2-3 inning that included a strikeout in the bottom of the third.  He then donned the gear and gave his team three excellent innings at catcher.

After breaking out at the plate in Saturday's scrimmage, Eli Kroskin flashed some serious leather in Sunday's game with the Pirates.  Playing at 2nd base, Eli gathered a tough bouncer and flipped the ball to 1st base to complete the second out of the third inning.  On a day when his team committed no errors, Eli nabbed another grounder on the right side and threw to 1st to complete another out in the bottom of the fifth.  It was his fifth assist of the spring.  Offensively, Eli drew two walks and scored a run.

Sam Berman was dominant on the mound in the first two innings.  He allowed just one hit, walked none, and struck out five of the seven batters he faced.  For the season, Sam recorded 30 strikeouts, breaking the team record of 27 strikeouts that he set last fall.  Sam also made two outstanding plays at shortstop, fielding grounders near the 2nd base bag and firing missiles that easily beat the runners at 1st base.  At the plate, Sam was one of five Blue Jays to sport a perfect batting line, going 3-for-3 with a triple, two singles, three runs scored, and three RBIs.

After making several quality starts on the mound, Xander Yu proved to be a lights-out closer.  Taking the hill in the sixth inning, Xander struck out one en route to retiring the side in order.  It was one of three 1-2-3 innings for the Blue Jays.  He alertly fielded a dribbler near the 3rd base line and fired to first to earn his eleventh assist of the year, the highest total of any non-1st baseman.  A fantastic lead-off hitter, Xander set the table again in the finale, hustling his way to a double in the fifth, belting a line drive single to right field in the first, drawing a walk, and reaching on a fielder's choice.  Xander scored three runs to boost his team-leading total to 14.

Can there be any doubt that Michael Hardie is the Blue Jays' Comeback Player of the Year?  He once again did some serious damage with the bat in Sunday's finale, crushing a ground ball base hit down the 3rd base line in the top of the first and chopping a bouncer through the hole on the left side for another knock in the fifth.  Michael reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth, scored twice, and drove in two.  Defensively, he scooped up a grounder at 1st base and stepped on the bag to record an unassisted put-out to end the second inning.

Derek Sappenfield just missed in his bid for extra bases in the top of the second.  He smashed a low line drive that landed just inches outside the foul line in left field.  He played a key role in the Blue Jays' final rally of the day, drawing a walk and scoring in the top of the sixth.  Defensively, Derek continued to develop as a corner infielder, getting good position and covering the 3rd base bag on stolen base attempts.  He saved a possible run with a leaping grab in the fifth inning.

Jake Lang was a consistent run-producer throughout the spring season.  He started hot in Sunday's game, clobbering a line drive base hit to right field in the top of the first.  Unfortunately, he didn't see many hittable pitches after that.  He walked in the fifth and was hit by a pitch in the third.  Jake ended the day with a run scored and an RBI.  Defensively, he gave his team the solid effort it's come to expect at 1st base, 3rd base and left field.

 After a brief stint on the Disabled List, Will Dash returned to the lineup for the season's final weekend.  He was ready to go at left field, 2nd base and 3rd base, respectively, but the ball never seemed to come his way.  The story was much the same when Will ventured to the plate - the ball rarely found the strike zone.  He drew two walks - his fifth and sixth of the season in just 17 plate appearances - and scored a run.

Jack Raymond also came back from injury and returned to work this weekend, seeing time at 1st base in Saturday's scrimmage and playing alert baseball in left field and right field in Sunday's game.  Offensively, Jack participated in the Blue Jays' culminating rally in the top of the sixth, drawing a walk and scoring a run, his fourth tally of the season.

Andre Schnider's development as a pitcher bodes well for the Blue Jays in the fall.  In Sunday's game, Andre enjoyed a long awaited opportunity to pitch two complete innings without having to worry about the time limit.  He did not disappoint, allowing just two hits and striking out four.  He also enjoyed a stellar day at the plate, generating a flawless 3-for-3 batting line that included a double to right field in the fifth and singles in the first and third.  He scored three runs and drove in three.

George Roggie demonstrated appropriate enthusiasm throughout another productive day at the ball field.  Defensively, he completed five assisted put-outs at 1st base and overcame some wicked direct sunshine to stab a line drive that he could barely see.  George was also up to his usual tricks at the plate, generating a 3-for-3 line that included a triple in the sixth, singles in the third and fifth, a walk in the first, three runs scored and three RBIs.

Supporting Roles

What better way to enjoy Fathers' Day than watching your son compete in a youth baseball game?

Ken Dash coached at 1st base when the Blue Jays were at the plate.  The sheer volume and frequency of the hits left him needing a rest between innings.

Don't be fooled by Derek Sappenfield's relaxed pose.  He worked hard Sunday afternoon, handling 3rd base coaching duties.

Steve Berman finished off a complete season of keeping score.  These pages were fun to read.

Great Season!

We enjoyed witnessing the evolution of this team over the course of the last three months.

Thanks to everyone for making Spring 2014 such a fun and successful season!

Steve