Kirsh impresses with bat and arm to lead Team Grey to victory

Ontario Blue Jays catcher Liam Kirsh (Toronto, Ont.) had a two-run single and picked a runner off third base for Team Grey in their 7-3 win over Team Black on Thursday night. For his efforts, he was named Player of the Game. Photo: Blue Jays Academy

September 21, 2023

By Ryan Galati

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO – A four-run first inning led by catcher Liam Kirsh’s two-run single was more than enough to lead Team Grey past Team Black 7-3 on Thursday night at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre.

After John Hughes (Mississauga, Ont.) walked to load the bases, Kirsh (Toronto, Ont.) stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive to left to score Will Moore (Paris, Ont.) and Bradley Bitove (Toronto, Ont.) for a two-run Grey lead.

After a wild pitch scored Hughes for the Grey’s third run, Kirsh would score later in the inning off a Nolan Weinmeyer (Victoria, B.C.) single, increasing the lead to 4-0.

Team Black was quick to reply in the top of the second, first scoring off a balk and a double steal before Noah Cantwell (Cambridge, Ont.) singled to centre field, bringing home Sam Andersen (Toronto, Ont.) to shrink Grey’s lead to one.

Despite some pitching struggles from both sides, the game would stay 4-3 until the bottom of the fifth.

That was when right-handed pitcher Luke Glenn of Team Black had an inning to forget. Glenn walked three batters, hitting another three, helping Team Grey to a four-run cushion.

Team Black tried to fight its way back, getting runners on the corners in the top of the sixth.

But with Lucas Alberti (Toronto, Ont.) stealing second, Player of the Game and Team Grey catcher Kirsh faked the throw before picking off Andersen at third base to end the potential comeback.

Team Black's Sam Andersen (Toronto, Ont.) is picked off third by Team Grey catcher Liam Kirsh (Toronto, Ont.) in the sixth inning of the final game at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Thursday. Photo: Carter Smith

Strong relief pitching from Luke Wheatley (Calgary, Alta.) and Weinmeyer helped shut down Team Black.

Each pitcher only went one inning, Wheatley getting one strikeout, allowing one hit, and walking one other in the sixth inning.

Weinmeyer would shut the door officially, striking out the side in the final frame to claim the victory.

Kirsh spoke after the game about how important he feels his job is when he’s behind home plate.

“I find the catcher to be like the leader of the field,” he said. “Without a solid catcher, the fielders fall asleep and get sloppy, so I find a catcher who can hold it all together is really important for the game.”