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Mississauga, ON
September 22, 2008
The Etobicoke Royals beat the Mississauga Sox last night at Dunton Athletic Fields by a score of 7-3 to take the best-of-five series 3 games to 2. This is the Royals' second time as MSFL Champions in 3 years, and also marks the fifth time the Sox have figured into the league finals in as many years (they won it last year).
It was pretty uncomfortable for the fans at the start of the game, but as time went by and more and more fans showed up, they thankfully blocked most of the wind (for me anyways). It was a good crowd and well-behaved too, considering it was game 5 after all. Approximately 80 fans came out to watch the two top teams settle some bragging rights.
The first two innings were essentially three-up, three-down, interrupted only by Sox 1B Klyke slicing double to the outfield in top 2nd and Royals C Rob Fields single to center in bottom half. Both Royals' SP Marv Smith and Sox SP Glen Dorrington were throwing darts to start.
Top 3rd Sox 3B Love HBP and advances to 2nd base on wild pitch. With runner in scoring position, SS Hendry is unable to cash him in, grounding out to SS Young to end the half. Royals get something going in their half when utility player Justin draws a one-out walk, followed by CF Demasi slap-single up the middle. Runners on 1st and 2nd will advance on wild pitch; Justin steals home on another wild pitch. Royals up 1-0. LF Cristobal strikes out but another wild pitch allows him to get to 1st base safely, runners on 1st and 3rd. SS Young strikes out. Yet another wild pitch from Dorrington cashes in 2 runs as both Demasi and Cristobal score, making the score 3-0 Royals. 3B Howie would ground out to end the threat.
The Sox would answer back in the 4th. A leadoff Glen Dorrington walk would start things off but Sox CF JDorrington unable to get on base or move the runner. GDorrington advances to 2nd base on wild pitch before Klyke hits an absolute no-doubt about it homerun to left-center, making the score 3-2. C Frankie Farrel follows up with a smack up the middle for a single, and would move to 2nd on wild pitch. But that's as far as he'd get as the next two batters unable to muster anything off of Smith, both striking out.
Royals three-up, three-down.
Top of 5 sees three-up, three-down for Sox.
Royals' Justin having a great game so far and lays down a beauty for a single. Demasi follows with single up middle. Cristobal smashes hard grounder to Sox 2B Moe but unable to handle it cleanly and would prove costly as 2 runs would score with Cristobal on 2nd base, making the score 5-2. Royals weren't done yet however, taking advantage of some control problems between Sox battery, advancing and eventually stealing home on wild pitches. 6-2 Royals lead..
In the 6th, Sox start 2-out rally with Klyke walk, followed by hard liner by Frankie that scores the speedy Klyke from 1st base. On the play however, Frankie is tagged out on running error. Score: Royals 6 Sox 3.
Pitching change - Sox Marty in for Glen.
Marty comes in to relieve Glen and is immediately tagged for a solo shot to center by Royals 2B Birch. 7-3 Royals.
Top of 7, Sox able to get SP Marty on via long infield single, followed by LF Davey's single. Both runners advance and both in scoring position. But it wasn't to be tonight as Moe grounds into a double play. Love would strikeout to end the game.
Final score:
Royals - 7
WP - Smith, 7IP, 6H, 3ER, 15K
Sox - 3
LP - GDorrington, 6IP, 4H, 6R, 12K
Relief - Marty, 1IP, 1H, 1ER, 2K
Sox unable to get runners across against Smith, who had a game-high 15 strikeouts on the night to lead the Royals to victory. Sox battery not able to get on same page, and ended up costing them the game.
Congratulations to the Sox for playing tough and coming back from a 2-0 Series deficit to make it close.
Congratualtions to the Royals for also playing a tough, gritty Series; the best team won the trophy, that's for sure.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams and players in the league for playing this great game and making the MSFL a success in many ways. I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the umpires and officials who did an outstanding job under the circumstances. To the players' friends, wives, girlfriends for showing their support of the league and the game by coming and watching games - wouldn't be the same without you all.
Finally, I'd like to thank MSFL Peter Sands for his dedication and commitment to the league and to fastball in the Brampton and Mississauga area. The MSFL is an expanding league and there is a good chance the number of teams will increase next year - if you are a player, or have a team, don't hesitate to get in touch with Peter as soon as possible.
Thanks to Al Doran for allowing me to put up these reports on his website.
See you all next year
Adam Smith
man_of_action13@hotmail.com
