Atlantic edges Prairies 1-0 in T12 opener

Mario Zabala (batting above) hit an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning to account for the only run in Atlantic Maroon’s 1-0 win over Prairies Purple in the T12 tournament opener Thursday at Rogers Centre. Photo Credit: Nikolas Marsiglio

By Anthony Amador

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- Mario Zabala’s RBI single in the top of the sixth pushed Atlantic Maroon over Prairies Purple 1-0 in the T12 tournament opener Thursday at Rogers Centre.

Micah McDowell reached on an error in the sixth and later scored from third to give the Atlantic team their first and only run of the game, which proved enough for the win.

Team Atlantic’s Micah McDowell, who honed his skills with the Okotoks Dawgs, had four stolen bases in the opening game of T12. Photo Credit: Nikolas Marsiglio

McDowell was also able to register four steals, giving him one of the best base-running games of his young career.

“I don’t really keep track about how many stolen bases I have, but it’s definitely up there with four,” said McDowell, after celebrating their first win of the tournament. “Just trying to take advantage of anyway I can to help the guys win.”

For the Prairies team, Jordan Lussier tossed four scoreless innings, while allowing only two hits and striking out nine.

This is Lussier’s second year at the tournament. Coming back, he felt better about his overall pitching ability and the different types of pitches he had to offer.

Right-hander Jordan Lussier struck out nine while hurling four scoreless innings for the Prairies squad in the T12 opener. Photo Credit: Nikolas Marsiglio

“This year I felt a lot better, more confident, and calm when it came to my pitches, “said Lussier after the game. “I feel like my curveball has been a lot better than the start of last year. It felt really good today, so I stuck with it for most of the game.”

Atlantic Maroon pitcher Evan O’Toole pitched a solid three innings, only allowing one hit with three walks and striking out six.

O’Toole started off with a rocky first inning, when he hit back-to-back batters, but the right-hander was able to recover quickly with a strikeout and a fly out.

In the third inning, O’Toole found himself in another jam with the bases loaded, but he was able to escape without any damage as he got the next three batters out.

Both teams will be taking the field again this weekend after Friday’s scouting day. Prairies Purple will play their second game Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. ET against the Futures Navy team, and Atlantic Maroon takes on Quebec Blue later that day at 3:00 p.m. ET.