Black Edges Red
Peewee AA
Abbotsford Angels Black 6
Abbotsford Angels Red 5
The annual grudge match that is the Abby Red v. Abby Black game in Peewee AA went on Thursday night, with Black edging Red in an entertaining 6-5 victory.
The past few days had been unseasonably hot, but temperatures began to cool in the evening so that the conditions were excellent for the much anticipated showdown.
Carlin Dick got things started right for Black, giving up no runs on just one hit in the top of the first. Josh Siemens countered for Red in the bottom half, and did one better, dispatching the first three Black batters.
Red scored one in the top of the 2nd and looked to be in good shape. However, things came undone in the bottom half, as a disastrous 5 run inning ensued. Carlin Dick’s leadoff double was followed up by multiple errors and passed balls, blowing the game wide open for the black-sleeved Abby boys.
Unfortunately for Red, that would prove to be the ball game. Carlin added another couple of shutout innings before giving way to the flame-throwing Luke Szmutko. Red managed to score three in the 5th to make a game of it, but some sloppy defence, including more passed balls, led to a 6th run for Black., Another run for Red in the 6th off closer Dayton Peters wouldn’t be enough as that was as close as they could get. Dayton shut the door in the 7th to close out the game,and Black emerged victorious.
Red couldn’t overcome that debacle in the 2nd, despite some excellent individual performances. Tyler Nelson was nearly flawless on the mound during his two innings of work. Conall Sexton was also dominant in his two innings, striking out five Abby Black batters, including the top of the order in the 6th inning, giving Red a chance. Conall also went 2 for 3 at the plate, to earn a shared Pita Pit Player of the Game Honour with Jordan Epp. Jordy turned in his best game of the season, reaching base all three times he was up, including a clutch hit.
Other notable plays of the game included big hits from Hunter Klassen for Red, and John Boulanger for Black, while a long fly ball from Dayton Peters would have been out of the park in many fenced diamonds. Parker Wakelyn of Black showed great range to track down a fly ball and steal a hit from Tyler Nelson.
As hard as the two teams battled each other, it was awesome to see players and coaches alike get together after the game in a wonderful display of sportsmanship and camaraderie. After all, these are friends, with former, and future team-mates competing hard and having fun, just as Abbotsford Angels should.
