Go BCC Blue Jays!: Worth the Wait

After waiting a week to start the season, the Blue Jays opened the fall campaign with an excellent performance Sunday, September 14, at Ritchie Park Elementary School.

Great pitching and sound defense kept it close until the bats came to life.

The final score was Blue Jays 10, Red Sox 2.

September 14 Game Report

Sam Berman turned in a complete effort on the mound, at the plate, and in the field. He retired the side in order in the first and second innings, striking out five of the six batters he faced. A standout at shortstop, Sam caught a throw for a force out at 2nd base in the third and completed a spectacular unassisted force play in the fourth. He pounded a double in the fifth and singles in the third and sixth, scored three runs and drove in one.

Will Dash opened his eyes and sparked the slow-starting offense in the top of the second inning. His RBI double to right field drove in the first run of the season and gave the Blue Jays a lead they would not relinquish. Will's perfect 3-for-3 day included a solid single in the fourth, an infield hit in the fifth, and an RBI. Defensively, he did a great job at catcher, helping his battery mate retire all six opposing hitters in the first two innings.

Andre Schnider was another triple-threat for the Blue Jays, providing excellent pitching, hitting and defense throughout the afternoon. Pitching the middle innings, Andre allowed just two runs on two hits, struck out three and walked two. He helped his own cause in the bottom of the third, fielding a grounder and flipping to 1st for an easy 1-3 put-out. Playing at shortstop, Andre recorded the first out in the bottom of the sixth with a great unassisted force out at 2nd. His 2-for-2 batting line included a double, a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly, three runs scored and an RBI.

Eli Kroskin sparkled defensively at 2nd base. His diving stop and quick throw to 1st on a well hit grounder near the hole in the first inning might have been the game's top defensive highlight. In the bottom of the third, he dove to his right to stop another hot grounder and threw from his back to get the force at 2nd. Offensively, Eli ripped an RBI single to right field in the third and drew a walk in the second.

Jake Lang contributed a big hit in a high-leverage moment in the top of the fifth. Batting with two on and his team needing some insurance runs, Jake grounded a shot past the 1st baseman and into right field for a two-run single. Defensively, Jake gave great effort on a tough fly ball to short left field in the fourth and assisted on a put-out at 1st base in the first.

Xander Yu is a key contributor to the Blue Jays' deep and talented pitching staff. In Sunday's game, Xander worked around four hits - including three of the infield variety - and closed the game with two scoreless innings. He struck out four, issued just one walk, and caught an infield pop-up for good measure. At the plate, Xander drew two walks and scored a run.

Jack Raymond enjoyed an efficient day, earning two walks that had a lot more to do with the hitter than the pitcher. In both cases, Jack fouled off good pitches, worked the count, and laid off pitches out of the zone to earn his pass to 1st base. Jack put the bat on the ball in the fourth, moving a base runner to 3rd on a productive ground out. He also played heads-up baseball at the corner outfield positions. The photo of Jack did not turn out, so we had to go with the file photo above.

Cole Hughes played a key role in the Blue Jays' five-run rally in the third inning. Operating with a tenuous one-run lead, Cole belted a line drive to right field and motored all the way to 2nd base for a two-run double. His two RBIs put him in a tie for team high honors. Defensively, Cole demonstrated his typical wizardry at catcher, throwing brilliantly to 3rd base on stolen base attempts. His snap throw to 1st base nearly picked off another runner. It's just a matter of time!

Gavin Ferguson demonstrated an aggressive hitting approach that will pay dividends. Gavin hit the ball solidly in the 3rd inning on a come-backer to the mound that drove in a run. Defensively, Gavin played well at 2nd base, coming very close to completing outs on two slow rollers that left little time to get the ball to 1st base ahead of the runners.

George Roggie enjoyed a steady afternoon, knocking singles in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring a run and notching an RBI. Defensively, George collected an assisted put-out at 1st base in the bottom of the third.

Back in the Saddle

Brian Ferguson handled pregame warm-ups, coached at 3rd base, and offered sage advice to the manager. Pat Corrales and the late, great, Don Zimmer have nothing on this guy!

Derrick Raymond directed traffic from the 1st base coaching box as few others can.

Steve Berman kept score while watching Livvy on the playground and following the NFL scores on his phone. Amazingly, this master of multitasking did not miss a single bit of data!

Michael Hardie came to the game, showed off his ankle boot, and assumed the role of team photographer. He didn't take a selfie, so we're using this file photo from last year. If we're really lucky, then Michael might come off the DL for the final game or two.

Great Start!