Leaside grad SS Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) of the Toronto Mets batted .867 (13-for-15) at a Perfect Game event in Georgia.

August 18, 2024

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Five Toronto Mets and four Team Ontario Astros earned all-tournament honours at the Perfect Game WWBA 16U National championship in Marietta, Ga

Yet, one hitter was even ranked higher than being given the honour of making the all-tourney team: SS Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) ... no relation.

Lascelles had a month of hits in the five-game tourney going 13-for-15 (.867) with a double, three triples, two homers and nine RBIs. His OPS – and we don't think we have ever typed an OPS with the number two in front of it – was 2.590 in 21 plate appearances. He also stole three bases.

Wowser.

And you thought Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) was on fire.

The Astros went 5-0 to win Pool V but lost the opener of the playoff round 5-1 to Power Baseball 2016 Mariucci.

The Mets had a 3-1-1 record finishing second in Pool V. And edged the Mid-Atlantic Red Sox 6-5 in consolation play.

* * *

The Toronto Mets enjoying the Georgia weather for coaches Ryan McBride and Honsing Leung were:

_ LHP Eli Kennedy (Toronto, Ont.) was 1-0 in two starts, pitching 10 innings. He allowed three runs (2.10 ERA) on eight hits and a walk, as he struck out 11.

_ RHP Noah Powell (Toronto, Ont.) worked 6 1/3 innings, giving up a single run (1.10 ERA) on three hits and six walks, as he whiffed nine.

_ C-1B Noah Glenn (Queensville, Ont.) hit .400 (6-for-15) with two doubles, two homers, five RBIs and a 1.007 OPS in 19 plate appearances.

_ INF Ty Harnum (Oshawa, Ont.) batted .308 (4-for-13) with six RBIs and a .752 OPS in 18 plate appearances.

_ 3B-OF Christian Iriotakis (Toronto, Ont.) hit .417 (5-for-12) with two RBIs and a 1.194 OPS in 18 plate appearances.

* * *

Impressing for the Team Ontario Astros, coached by Kyle McKay, as well as assistants, Joe Presutti, Ryan Debi and Peter Tassopoulos, were:

Earning a berth on the all-tournament team was Team Ontario Astros 3B Hudson Kiss (Toronto, Ont.).

_ 3B Hudson Kiss (Toronto, Ont.) batted .538 (7-for-13) with a double, homer and five RBIs. Plus he had a 1.446 OPS in 15 plate appearances.

_ SS Andrew Kobryn (Newmarket, Ont.) hit .417 (5-for-12) with a double, homer, six RBIs and a 1.361 OPS in 18 plate appearances.

_ LHP Matt Clarke (Scarbrough, Ont.) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks, while striking out five.

_ RHP Ty McGuirk (Blue Mountain, Ont.) worked 9 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (2.30 ERA) on four hits and six walks, as he fanned eight.

SS Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) is the real deal

* * *

And here’s how Lascelles fared for the Mets in his amazing week:

_ 1-for-1 for the Mets. He walked leading off the bottom of the first, walked in the third and stole second, then singled to left to drive in a run.

_ 3-for-4 with two runs knocked in during the second-game, leading off with a single to right, stole second and scored; tripled to centre in the second and scored; flew out in the right and singled to right in the fourth.

_ He was 2-for-2, including a double and a triple, with a walk in the third game ... lifting him to an amazing 6-for-7.

_ He was 3-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs ... bringing his week to 9-for-10.

_ He was 2-for-3 in the final game of pool play. He had a triple, an RBI and two runs scored ... making him 11-for-13.

_ He was 2-for-2 with a solo homer in the consolation game ... so he finished 13-for-15, with a double, three triples, two homers, nine RBIs, three stolen bases and a sacrifice fly.

How good was his time in Georgia really?

Well, Lascelles flew out in Game 2 with the Mets up by a bunch with a man on third. At the time the Mets did not want to rub it even more. Had it been a close game it would have been a run-scoring fly ball and instead he would have been 13-for-14 (.929) with 10 RBIs.

How soon before he moves to Georgia?

* * *

Team Ontario started round robin play against the FTB/Phillies Scout GA team and after three innings the game was scoreless. The Astros scored in the next three innings for a 7-1 victory in the opener at East Cobb.

Kiss ended the string of zeros with a home run leading off the fourth, but the Astros were not done yet.

Dylan Zaretsky (King City, Ont.) and AlexanderTassopoulos (Stouffville, Ont.) each singled, before Drayden Morales (Bolton, Ont.) reached on error, allowing both runners to score for a 3-0 lead.

Kiss made it 4-0 in the fifth as Heath Barry (Uxbridge, Ont.) singled to centre, was bunted to second and scored on a two-out double to left by Kiss.

The Astros scored three more in the sixth as Tassopoulos doubled, was bunted over and scored as Matthew Perez-Scott reached on an error. DJ Mazzaferro (Uxbridge, Ont.) and Peter Deans (Orangeville, Ont.) each walked. A wild pitch and two errors accounted for the second three-run inning.

McGuirk held the opposing team in check, allowing one run on one hit and four walks, while fanning four. Thomas Khan (Pickering, Ont.) worked the final 1 1/3 scoreless striking out three.

Kobryn, Kiss, Zaretsky each had a pair of hits, with Kiss and Morales knocking in a pair each. Kobryn, Tassopoulos and Kiss all doubled

* * *

A four-run final inning put Team Ontario into the lead and allowed it to survive a bottom half as Mission Select scored three times for an 8-6 Astros win to move to 2-0 at Northgate High School.

Kiss started the rally with a single to right and Zaretsky walked. One out later, Morales singled, loading the bases. Clarke then singled in a run, Mazzaferro followed with a two-run single to left and Romeo Waghmare (Aurora, Ont.) singled to centre to bring home another run.

1B Clarke had two hits driving in a pair, as did Mazzaferro and Barry, while Kobryn, Zaretsky and Barry each doubled.

Santino Fernia (Woodbridge, Ont.) started and allowed two runs in one inning, while JP Dente (King, Ont.) picked up the win, pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing three runs. Ko Abe (Leaside, Ont.) had a scoreless outing, getting the final out on a ground ball with the tying runner on base.

* * *

Kobryn drove in four runs with a homer and a single, while Deans went deep and doubled, as Clarke Kyle Tamaki and Elliot Backer combined on a two hitter in a 10-2 romp over Canes Houston at Riverdale High School.

Two walks and singles by Tassopoulos and Nate Di Paola (Markham, Ont.) in the second put the Astros ahead 2-0.

Walks sandwiched around a Deans’ double loaded the bases for Kobryn, who unloaded them quickly with a home run to straightaway centre on a 1-1 count. A walk, a Zaretsky double and a Tassopoulos grounder plated another. Then, an error completed the six-run second.

* * *

An indication of how strong the Astros pitching staff was came in the fourth game as four Astros arms combined on a one-hit, shutout in a 9-0 victory over Prestige-Guzzo at the Winder Complex.

Kahn (two scoreless), Fernia (1 1/3), Tassopoulos (one inning) and Dente (2/3 of an inning) allowed one hit, walking five and striking out six as Johnny Whole Staff did its job.

Lucas Green (Newmarket, Ont.) doubled, singled and drove in a run, while Kiss knocked in a pair. Matthew Perez-Scott (Markham, Ont.), Kyle Tamaki (Barrie, Ont.), Waghmare and Deans had the other hits as the Astros moved to 4-0.

* * *

The Astros ran the table in pool play edging L & M 2016 2-1, thanks to the arms of Dente and Clarke. Dente worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and one run in a 61-pitch outing (41 strikes, 67%). Clarke took over, pitching the final 2 2/3 innings needing only 34 pitches (20 strikes (59%).

The Astros scored in the third after failing when loading the bases with one out in the second. Kobryn began the inning with a walk and was erased on a fielder's choice by Christopher Nobrega (Toronto, Ont.). Kiss singled and Zaretsky walked to load the bases. Nobrega scored on a wild pitch. And Kiss scored on a double play. Not the mightiest of rallies, but it got the job done. Kiss lined into a triple play in the fifth.

Clarke stranded the tying run in the sixth and had a 1-2-3 seventh. Nobrega and Kiss had the only two hits by the Astros.

* * *

Pool Standings

Pool V ST PCT W L T RA RS

Team Ontario ON 1.000 5 0 0 10 36

Misson Select NC .600 3 2 0 13 31

FTB Phillies GA .600 3 2 0 18 36

L & M RI .600 3 2 0 31 27

Presitege IL .200 1 4 0 46 17

Canes Houston TX .000 0 5 0 48 19

* * *

A three-run rally in the final inning gave Marucci Blue Jays a 5-3 win in the first round of the playoff round.

Tassopoulos doubled in a pair of runs for the Astros, Nobrega, Kiss, Zaretsky, Waghmare and Clark had the other hits.

McGuirk pitched well, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks, as he fanned four.

* * *

The Toronto Mets opened with a 6-0 win over Onward National as Kennedy and Jack McCauley (Alliston, Ont.) combined on the two-hit shutout. Kennedy worked six scoreless, walking seven and throwing 68 pitches (51 strikes, 75%). McCauley allowed one hit and walked two, but the bottom line was he put up another zero in his inning of work.

Leading 1-0, the Mets exploded for five in the fourth as Glenn was hit by a pitch, advanced on a ball to the screen and scored on a Powell single. An error allowed Powell to score and then Ethan Parks (Toronto, Ont.) doubled to centre. Following a walk, Lascelles singled in a run.

* * *

The Mets rolled over Firestorm, back up, and rolled over them again in a 19-0 romp The Mets scored four times in the first, two in the second, then added five runs and eight runs. Warm up the bus ... this one was over.

Harnum knocked in four runs, Chase McIlveen (Lindsay, Ont.) drove in three, as did Lascelles, while Wesley Saunders (Ajax, Ont.)., Powell and Glenn each drove in a pair. And as for the hit parade ... Harnum, Lascelles, Saunders and McIlveen each had three hits apiece. Powell added two hits.

Powell was on the mound for three scoreless and combined with Brian Au on a two-hitter. Powell threw 49 pitches (29 strikes, 59.2%). He allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out five. Au took over pitching a scoreless inning.

* * *

After a 19-0 steam rolling, the Mets were steam rolled, losing 17-1 by Dulins Dodgers

Iriotakis singled twice and Lascelles tripled and doubled. The other hits were by Liam Mace (Port Perry, Ont.) and Glenn.

Parks started and pitched three innings allowing nine runs – seven earned – on five hits and three walks.

The Dodgers were coached by former Toronto Blue Jays homegrown reliever David Weathers, who pitched 19 years in the majors – 964 games -- for the Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Houston Astros and the Jays. In fact, he was the last member of the 1992 Blue Jays World Series winning team to retire.

* * *

Two runs in the first and two more in the second paced the Mets to a 5-1 win against the Northeast Scorpions Showcase.

Lascelles led off the bottom of the first, hitting an 0-2 pitch out to right field. Iriotakis doubled home Harnum, who had walked for a 2-1 lead.

Saunders and Dylan Shubert (Selwyn, Ont.) opened the second with singles and with two outs, Drew Zettler (Unionville, Ont.) bunted for a base hit. Lascelles singled to chase both runners home for a 4-1 lead.

Glenn had two hits, while the others went to Mace, Saunder, Shubert, Zettler and Iriotakis. Mace singled home Glenn making it 5-1.

Callum Thomson and Charlie Raymond combined on the two-hitter. Thomson pitched three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit and five walks while striking out a pair. He threw 64 pitches (27 strikes, 42%). Raymond worked the next three giving up one hit and walking one as he struck out three. He threw 44 pitches (26 strikes, 59%).

The win upped the Mets record to 3-1.

* * *

The Mets rallied in the top of the seventh for a 6-6 tie against JSB Elite Scout. Powell singled home the tying run with one out in the final inning.

Lascelles opened the three-run fifth with a triple to centre. Harnum reached on a dropped third strike, then Iriotakis and Powell each singled home a run.

Iriotakes and Lascelles each had two hits, while Powell and Glenn had the other knocks. Harnum, Lascelles, Powell, Glenn and Iriotakis each plated a run.

Mcilveen pitched 3 2/3 innings giving up five unearned runs on five hits as he struck out a pair. He threw 74 pitches (44 strikes, 59%). Powell took over pitching 3 1/3 innings allowing one run on two hits and four walks, as he struck out five. He threw 58 pitches (28 Ks, 48.3%).

* * *

Pool EE ST Pct W L T RA RS

Dulins Dodgers TX 1.000 5 0 0 5 61

Toronto Mets ON .700 3 1 1 24 37

JSB Elite FL .700 3 1 1 24 29

Onward GA .400 2 3 0 32 20

Firestorm KY .200 1 4 0 50 9

Scorpions NE RI .000 0 5 0 36 15

* * *

The Mets put together a three-run third inning on the way to a 6-4 win their consolation game. Lascelles led off with a walk and was tripled home by Saunders' drive to right. After an Iriotakis walk, an error gave the Mets another run and then after a Harnum single, Mcilveen hit a fly ball to put the Mets up 5-0.

Toronto had scored twice in the first as Lascelles led off with a single, Saunders walked and Iriotakis singled to load the bases. Powell bounced out on a failed double play attempt as two runners scored.

Kennedy started and pitched four innings allowing three hits on six hits and two walks. He threw 64 pitches (40 strikes, 62.5%). Nicholas Szabo pitched two innings and McCauley recorded the save as he recorded a strike out for the first out, issued a walk and then Shubert speared a liner for the 9-3, routine double play.

Besides the two hits by Lascelles, Saunders, Harnum, Shubert and Iriotakis also had hits, while Powell knocked in a pair, as Saunders, Mcilveen and Lascelles drove in one each.

So 12 games for the two Canadian clubs against US teams and only two losses.

Elliott: Lascelles, Kennedy, Kiss, McGuirk, Powell impress for Mets, Astros in Georgia