2008 MSFL Finals - Etobicoke Royals Threaten To Sweep Mississauga Sox, Lead 2-0!
September 12, 2008
Brampton, ON
September 11, 2008
Brampton, ON
The Etobicoke Royals held on for an exciting 2-1 win over the Mississauga Sox on a cool Thursday night at Norton Place Park. The win pushed the Royals to a commanding 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five finale. The win also puts them one step close to reclaiming the MSFL Championship they lost a year ago to the very same Sox.
Game 1:
Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to Game 1, but here is a "kitchen-sink" summary from various sources:
The Royals jumped out to early to take a 8-0 lead on the strength of CF Dom Demasi's double followed by RF Mikey Cristobal homerun. The 2-run HR trend would continue as SS Jason Young walked only to be batted in by 3B Howie's 2-run blast.
The Sox, however, clawed their way back, with SP Glen Dorrington and 1B Fred Klyke factoring large into that comeback. Dorrington went a perfect 4-4 at the plate. The Sox were almost within one run when Dorrington attempted to steal home. The catcher was away from the plate, leaving Royals' SP Marv Smith with the responsibility of beating Glennie to the plate. Smith made an athletic play, diving towards the plate and just catching Dorrington's leg, to the disbelief of several Sox players prompting an exit for coach and Dorrington. With Dorrington out and the momentum destroyed, the Royals were able to close out for the win. No one said it wouldn't be intense!
Game 2:
Fortunately, I was able to make this one. Right from the hop, this was a different ballgame. Though there were several threats it wasn't until the bottom of the 3rd that Royals RF Matt Smith scored the first run of the game - a result of 2 Sox errors. Sox SP Marty was able to stop the bleeding, getting LF Mikey Cristobal and Young to ground out. The Sox answered back on RF Richie's RBI double in the bottom half but the inning was cut short via running error.
No scoring until Young goes down a strokes a solo HR in the top of the 6th. It would prove to be the deciding run in the end. But not without a fight however, as the Sox rally with a 2-out walk to RF Richie. But that's as far as it would get, and Smith induced a ground ball for the out, steering them to one win away from clinching the title for the 2nd time in 3 years.
WP: Marv Smith, 8K
LP: Marty, 6K
Game 3 gets underway on Monday September 15th at Dunton Atletic Fields in Mississauga (Kennedy Road & 401/Courtney Park). Start time: 730PM I think there's also a sausage/hotdog vendor there also that makes a sweet hot sausage.
See you on Monday, should prove to be another very exciting game with the series on the line.
Adam Smith
