SELECT > TP 11U Top Annette 11U 9-6 in 2025 EBA 11U Select Tournament Semi-Final Game One
IN A NITTY GRITTY CONTEST, TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS TAKE DOWN THE UNDEFEATED A’s TO FORCE A SECOND ETOBICOKE BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (EBA) 11U SELECT TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL ROUND GAME AT CHRISTIE PITS
Beneath a midday ceiling of overcast and warm skies, Toronto Playgrounds 11U prevailed 9-6 over Annette 11U in a thrilling six inning 2025 Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) 11U Select Tournament Semi-Final game at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
In the top portion of the first inning, Annette 11U threatened following a leadoff single by Luke (7).
Luke (7) strokes a leadoff single to spark the Annette 11U in the top of the first inning.
However, crafty TP 11U starter Valentine (99) and his trusty defense combined to chalk up a pretty 4-3 double play and a groundout to subdue the A’s in the first frame.
Toronto Playgrounds threatened in the bottom of the first inning.
After a one out single by Kai U (2), Eli (8) drew a walk that put two ducks on the pond.
Kai U (2) ignites the TP offense with a one out single in the bottom half of the first inning.
Unfazed, Annette 11U starter Liam (56) tallied a line out, pop out and a strikeout to subdue the TP revolt in the first frame.
Annette drew first blood in the top of the second as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
After stroking a leadoff single, Nolan (19) moved into scoring position at second with a down and dirty of second base.
Nolan (19) sparks the Annette 11U attack with a leadoff hit in the top of the second inning.
Annette 11U baserunner Nolan (19) completes a down and dirty slide to get into scoring position at second base in the second frame.
Elliot (99) drives home the A’s first run of the game with a RBI single in the second inning.
Elliot (99) followed with a RBI single that brought Nolan home with the opening run of the proceedings.
Ratcheting up the pressure on the TP 11U defense, Elliot proceeded to swipe his way around the horn with a pair of derring-do steals that advanced him over to third base.
Annette 11U baserunner Elliot (99) beats the tag of TP 11U shortstop Max (03) to complete a theft of second base in the second frame.
Freddie (39) brings home a run for the A’s with a one out 6-3 groundout in second inning.
Elliot (99) blazes home with a run for the A’s in the second frame.
With one out, Freddie (39) hit into 6-3 groundout that allowed Elliot to hustle home with another A’s run.
Unperturbed, TP 11U starter Valentine chalked up a pop out and two groundouts to diffuse the Annette insurgency in the second frame.
Not to be outdone, Toronto Playgrounds answered back in lickety-split fashion in the bottom of the second inning with four runs to take a 4-2 advantage.
After Robbie (9) drew a leadoff walk, Nolan (22) would reach base on an Annette error that put two TP runners on the basepaths.
An errant Annette pickoff attempt at first base would go awry, as Nolan hustled over to third on the A’s faux pas, and Robbie blazed around the home like a gazelle to score TP’s first run of the game.
TP 11U baserunner Nolan (22) [right] beats tag of Annette 11U catcher Nolan (19) to bring home TP’s tying run on a ballsy grand theft of home in the bottom half of the second inning.
Following back to back two out walks by Liam (10) and Santiago (25) that put two canaries on the birdbath, Kyler (13) delivered a clutch RBI double that brought Liam home with TP’s go ahead run.
Kyler (13) powers a RBI double to bring home TP 11U’s 3-2 go ahead run in the second frame.
With two outs nad the bases loaded, TP 11U baserunner Santiago (25) takes advantage of an Annette wild pitch to score a run in the second inning.
After Annette intentionally walked Kai H. (7) to load the bases, the A’s uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Santiago to zoom home with another TP run.
In a lionhearted effort, Annette 11U starter Liam tallied two strikeouts against TP 11U in the second frame.
With 1-2-3 authority, TP 11U starter Valentine retired Annette in order with a pop out, groundout and a strikeout in the top of the third inning.
Brimming with carpe diem urgency, TP 11U added a four spot in the bottom of the third inning to increase their upper hand to 8-2.
Following a two out hit by Kai U. and a walk by Eli, Oliver B. (17) reached base on a hit by pitch to load the bases.
Kai U. (2) strokes a leadoff single to kickstart TP 11U’s four run assault in the bottom portion of the third inning.
With the bases loaded, Max (03) crunches a bases clearing three RBI triple during TP 11U’s four run tsunami in the third frame.
Oliver B. (17) slides home with a run to give TP 11U a 7-2 lead in the third inning.
Licking his chops, Max (03) crushed an immaculate grace under pressure three RBI triple that brought Kai U., Eli and Oliver B. homeward with a TP trifecta.
After a walk and stolen base by Robbie that put runners at third and second, Nolan delivered a RBI single that allowed Max to motor home with another TP 11U run.
Nolan (22) caps off TP 11U’s big four run party in the third frame with a RBI single.
Max (03) hustles home with a TP 11U run in the third inning.
In a gallant effort, Annette 11U starter Liam (56) three dauntless innings against TP, while striking out four.
In a spirited effort, Annette 11U starter Liam recorded a strikeout and a groundout against TP in the third frame.
TP 11U Head Coach Tom Gingras (19) [left] and his Assistant Coaches Lee Brack (21) [middle] and Emeka Ubani (18) [right] discuss strategy in the top half of the fourth inning.
Following a single by Nayan (14), Liam powered a double that put A’s at third and second.
Nayan (14) strokes a two out single to spark the Annette attack in the top half of the fourth inning.
With unbridled zeal, TP 11U starter Valentine (99) pitched four consecutive undaunted innings against Annette 11U where he surrendered only two runs to the A’s.
Cool as a Silver Slicer cucumber, TP 11U starter Valentine reeled off three groundouts to put an end to Annette’s sedition in the fourth frame.
Annette 11U reliever Elliot quickly dispatched TP 11U in the bottom of the fourth inning with a strikeout and a pair of groundouts that kept TP off the scoresheet.
Refusing to go quietly into the afternoon sun, Annette scored three in the top portion of the fifth to trim the margin to 8-5.
After Elliot led off the inning with a leadoff single and stolen base, Felix (27) followed with a single that put two A’s on the discotheque floor.
After stroking a leadoff single, Annette 11U baserunner Elliot (99) steals second base with chocolate eclair flair in the top portion of the fifth inning.
Felix (27) hits a key single that puts a pair of A’s runners on base in the fifth frame.
Freddie (39) delivers a majestic two RBI triple during the Annette 11U’s three run rally in the fifth inning.
A’s baserunner Felix (27) completes a smooth and easy slide to score a run for the A’s in the fifth frame.
Taking advantage of TP’s throw to home, Freddie (39) advances to third base following his two RBI double in the fifth inning.
Taking the bull by the horns, Freddie (39) delivered a two RBI double that brought Elliot and Felix home with a pair of Annette runs. Freddie would advance to third on the play.
Lachlan (29) followed with a RBI single that allowed Freddie to score another run for the A’s that made it a three run game.
Lachlan (29) delivers a RBI single to cap off the A’s three run rally in the fifth inning.
With Annette 11U staging a comeback rally, TP 11U reliever Eli (8) entered the fray to wheel and deal two strikeouts and a groundout to quell the A’s rebellion in the fifth frame.
TP 11U reliever Eli would enter the fray to chalk up two strikeouts and a groundout that ended the Annette coup d’état in the fifth frame.
In the bottom of the fifth, Toronto Playgrounds tacked on an insurance run to solidify their lead at 9-5.
After a leadoff walk by Kyler, Kai H. (7) hit into a 1-3 groundout that advanced Kyler over to second base. Kyler would subsequently take advantage of an Annette wild pitch to move over to third.
Following a two out walk by Valentine that put runners at the corners, Kai U. stepped up to the dish and delivered a clutch RBI hit that brought Kyler home with a TP run.
With two outs, Kai U. (2) drives home a clutch insurance run for TP 11U in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kai U. sparked the TP attack by going 3 for 3 at the plate [three singles], with two runs scored, a RBI and three stolen bases.
TP 11U baserunner Kyler (13) slides home with a TP 11U insurance run in the fifth frame.
In a stalwart effort, Annette 11U reliever Elliot (99) threw two strong innings against TP 11U. Elliot allowed two runs, while striking out three TP batters.
Annette 11U reliever Elliot utilized a groundout and two strikeouts to terminate TP 11U’s subversion in the fifth frame.
Donning their rally caps, Annette came up for their last at bats in the top of the sixth determined to change their circumstance in the time continuum.
Rarin’ for a fight, Nayan and Liam delivered back to back singles that put two swans on the lake.
Trailing 9-5, Nayan (14) and Lian (56) connect for back to back singles to keep Annette 11U’s comeback hopes alive in the top of the sixth inning.
Nolan (19) delivers a RBI hit for the A’s in the sixth frame.
Nolan followed with a RBI hit that allowed Elliot to hustle home with a run that cut the shortfall to 9-6.
Shaken, not stirred, TP 11U reliever Kai H. registered two succinct groundouts and a pop out to curtail the A’s last gasp comeback bid in the sixth frame and seal the deal on the TP victory.
With steely eyed resolve, TP 11U reliever Kai H. (7) tallied two groundouts and a pop out in the sixth frame to terminate Annette 11U’s last gasp rally bid and seal the deal on TP’s semi-final game win.
After upending the previously undefeated A’s, TP 11U (3-1) forced the necessity for a second EBA 11U Select semi-final elimination game against Annette 11U (3-1), with the winner advancing to face the Royal York 11U White Cardinals in the championship game.