Tile Source chalks up a couple of solid wins in senior rookie action | www.kingsentinel.com

First up, they travelled to Pottageville Park to face Aurora's Home Hardware. Both teams scored their maximum five runs in their first at bats, but only the Cobras continued this trend, scoring 17 more in the next three innings. Every player on the Tile Source team reached base, with the big hitters being Scott Reeves, who was four-for-four, Matthew Lancaster, threefor three, and Sara Valentini, three-for-three.

The second game of the week was a much more defensive affair, as Tile Source played Bradford in King City. Andrew Dinopoulos as pitcher and Zachary Long at first base were a dynamic duo, recording all three outs in the open inning on the way the win. The big hitters of the night were Josh D'Urzo, who brought home the all important fifth run in the first inning, and Jake Hansen, who cashed in three RBIs before being thrown out trying to stretch his double into a triple.

The Schomberg IGA senior rookies have also been busy on the diamonds, as they played three games on the road in Aurora. All three games were close, as each team took turns taking the lead and making great defensive plays, and belting out the big hits. Defensively, Rose Falzone and Christian Leone lead the team. Rose was a one-woman defensive show as anything hit in her direction resulted in an out. She finished the road trip with six assisted/unassisted outs. Offensively, Adam Cipollone continued to be perfect at the plate, and Thomas Beckley and Alexander Topp connected for three homers in three games. Christian Leone and Tyler Radell brought in six RBIs each.

Offensive player of the week was Cassidy Tomlinson, who was an outstanding 10-for-10 at the plate, driving in nine RBIs.

Mosquito

Greenside Drive Landscaping played two games last week in Aurora. The first, against DBM Contracting, got off to a promising start as Jack Mull took to the mound in the first two innings, allowing only one run and striking out three. The King Team matched Aurora's one run in the inning as Aydden Almadi crossed the plate on Daniel Macgregor's walk. Nick Bell took over pitching duties in the third and did not allow a run, as he struck out two batters. Hits from Mull and Blair Monahan started the offence for Greenside folks and with the bases loaded, Daniel Pignataro showed great patience at the plate by walking, giving the visitors the lead. The walk was followed by RBI singles by Alexander Brunato and Aydden Almadi, bringing home Monahan and Zachary Wortzman. The King team finished the inning with a 4- 1 lead. Brunato took over on the mound in the fourth, and after striking out one batter, and getting an out at first base, the wheels fell off, and DBM Contracting had seven runners cross the plate. The deficit was just too much for Greenside to overcome.

Player of the game was Mull who was two-for-two at the plate. Greatest play of the game was executed by Macgregor, who caught a pop fly and turned it into a double play as the Aurora runner left the base too early.

Greenside did not fare much better on their second trip to Aurora last week, losing 15-9 to John Eek and Son.

Nicholas Sully, coming off a great finish in the previous game, could not find his rhythm on the mound and allowed five runs on three hits, two walks and one strikeout. When it was King's turn to bat, it seemed their fate was about to change when Mull led off with a double. Michael Rokas had his first hit of the season with an infield single and stole second to get into scoring position. It was not to be as both Mull and Michael were left stranded at second and third. Greenside was not able capitalize on their opportunities, and left runners on base in each inning, including the bases loaded in the fourth.

Player of the game for Greenside was Rokas, with two hits on four at bats, two RBIs and a stolen base.

Bantam

With the threat of thunderstorms and a light rain coming down, Rhind Electric bantams travelled to Bradford for a rematch with Bray's Fuels (B1) last week.

As the visiting team, King came to the plate first, and started off the game scoring five runs in the top of the inning. Christian Shortill showed why he is the lead-off batter as he stepped up to the plate and belted out a triple. With two out, Danton Brinovec reached base on a walk, stole the next two bases and was brought home on Scott Rhind's double. Stephen Leonard reached on a walk, and with runners on second and third, Travis Brinovec came to the plate and scored Rhind and Leonard with a double to centre field. The hitting continued, as Taylor Joseph sent Travis home when he connected for a double. Rhind Electric's team defence, as well as outstanding pitching, was the difference in the game. Joseph Perone took to the mound in the bottom of the first, and after giving up a lead-off triple, he found his grove, striking out the next batter, and forcing two ground ball outs as Leonard, playing third, charged a ground ball and made a perfect throw to Kelli Beer on first, who also made the final out of the inning unassisted. Bradford managed just one run in the second and King led the game 5-2 before the skies opened up, forcing a short rain delay.

Later, the Cobras scored three more runs in the top of the third. Marshall Perone started off with a single, stole second and third, and stole home when Dennis Orr was walked, catching the Bradford team napping. Rhind was also walked and once again with runners in scoring position, Travis stepped up to the plate and brought home two more with a single. Orr took over pitching, and struggled a bit, walking the first two batters before striking out the next. Bradford loaded the bases on another walk, before short stop Danton Brinovec helped out his pitcher by catching a pop-up and stepping on second base for the double play. Danton made his pitching debut and with his brother catching behind the plate, they shut down Bradford's attempt at a comeback. Danton struck out the first batter he faced, but walked the next. Travis threw out this runner as he tried to steal third as Leonard applied the tag. Danton struck out the final batter, and Rhind Electric won by a decisive 10-4 score, recording their third straight win to start the season.

Player of the game was Travis Brinovec, two-fortwo at the plate, with four RBIs and a great throw to third to get an out.

In previous bantam action, Rhind Electric won a close game 11-10 against Bray's Fuels from Bradford last Thursday night in Nobleton on the strength of efficient pitching and great team defence.

Shortill started the game on the mound for the Cobras, striking out two batters and surrendering just one run. J.P. Saxe, new to King this year, took over pitching duties in the second, and after giving up a double and a single, found his grove striking out the next two batters. Bradford managed to load the bases and this gave first baseman Beer a chance to show his baseball smarts as he snagged a slow rolling ground ball and made a great throw to catcher Orr at home who stood his ground tagging out the runner advancing form third.

After an outpouring of Bradford runs in the fourth, Joseph came to the mound in relief to record the final out of the inning, striking out Bradford's lead-off batter. Patience at the plate led to a total of nine walks in the game for Rhind Electric, but there was also some timely hitting to bring in those 11 runs. The Cobras scored six runs in the first inning with 11 players coming to the plate before Bradford managed to get three out. Danton Brinovec brought in two RBIs with a single, Aidan Romero, Saxe and Luke Robertson all cashed in runs on their singles. The batters in the second inning kept the runs coming in, as five more King players scored. The big hit of the game for Rhind Electric came off the bat of their youngest player Brinovec when he blasted a solid double to the outfield bringing in two runs for the Cobras.

Players of the Week

Due to technical difficulties the players of the week are a little delayed getting to the papers, but here they are:

Week of May 14, Tyler Allison from the Tile Source senior rookie team.

Week of May 21, Austin Anderson, from the Luxury Coach junior rookie team

Week of May 28, Jonathan Mele from the King City Auto peewee team

Week of June 4, Joseph Brown, from the Armstrong Petroleums mosquito team.

Congratulations to all the players, and continued success this baseball season.