By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Mets roster in Florida consisted of 19 players.

How did they do at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Underclass World championship?

Well the Mets placed four on the all-tournament team: SS Justin Carinci (Ajax, Ont.), OF Ben Sitarenios (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Chong (Markham, Ont.) and RHP Turner Spoljaric (Lisle, Ont.).

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And in the opener: Welcome to Florida!

The first seven Toronto Mets reached base on the way to a five-run first inning and a 12-4 win over the Rawlings A’ Prospects MD Select.

The 196-team 17th annual tourney was held at the Lee County Player Development Complex Field in Fort Myers, Fla.

Lead-off man Ryan Kehoe (Whitby, Ont.) reached on an error, SS Justin Carinci (Ajax, Ont.) doubled him to third and DH Robert Vavaroutsos walked to load the bases. RF Adam Akhalwaya (Vaughan, Ont.) singled in a run, C Robert Battista (Toronto, Ont.) followed with a two-run single, LF Ben Sitarenios (Richmond Hill, Ont.) singled home a run and Devon Capitao (Vaughan, Ont.) walked to re-load the bases. Quinton McRae (Oshawa, Ont.) bounced out to drive in a run

“Let’s get the lead-off guy on” quickly turned into “Let’s get the first seven on base.”

So, RHP Turner Spoljaric (Lisle, Ont.) took the mound with a 5-0 lead. Spoljaric pitched four innings allowing three runs -- two earned -- on three hits and three walks. He fanned three in his 63-pitch outing (57% strikes) as his fastball was at 82 MPH. Tyler Chong (Markham, Ont.) finished up after Spoljaric pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing one hit and one walk and one hit. He had a 42-pitch outing (69% strikes) with his fastball hitting 80 MPH.

Carinci doubled twice and knocked in a run. Akhalwaya had two hits and knocked in a pair or runs. Sitarenios, Capitao and McRae each singled and drove in a run. 1B Cameron Papp (Toronto, Ont.) and CF Caden Shapiro (Toronto, Ont.) each singled.

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Now, 1-1: The second game was a long way from as much fun as the first when the Mets were no hit in a 16-0 pounding against the Iowa Sticks Scout 2020 at Rutenberg Community Park. Adam Khan (Aurora, Ont.) started for the Mets allowing nine runs -- six runs -- on seven hits and two walks. He fanned three in his 73-pitch outing (58%) with his fastball clocked at 79 MPH.

Sitarenios worked 1 1/3 innings giving up six runs -- four earned -- on four hits and one walk. He threw 43 pitches (46% strikes) with his best fastball at 77 MPH. Landon Bentley (Courtice, Ont.) recorded the final two outs, both on whiffs, giving up a run on one hit.

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Game 3: Shapiro and Vavaroutsos had the only two singles as the Mets fell to 1-2 with a 643 DP Cougars Pralgo. Akhalwaya pitched three innings giving up six runs -- three earned -- on one hit and two walks. He struck out three in his 74-pitch work day (47% strikes) as his fastball was clocked at 78 MHP. Alex Vince (St. Marys, Ont.) recorded the final out but not before allowing six runs -- five earned -- on three hits and four walks.

Pool B

Teams PCT W-L T RA RS

643 DP Cougars Pralgo 1.000 3 0 0 2 19

Iowa Sticks Scout 2020 0.667 2 1 0 7 23

Toronto Mets - Reid 0.333 1 2 0 32 12

Playoffs: Next, the Mets went back to their strategy that worked so well in the opener: put up a five spot in the bottom of the first.

Carinci led off with a single, one out later Capitao reached on an error, then after another error and an out, McRae and Sitarenios each had run-scoring singles. Then another error finished the inning.

McRae had two hits, including a homer and drove in two runs, while Brainard Parrenas (Markham, Ont.) hit a solo homer. Carinci had a pair of base knocks counting his double and Sitarenios also had two. Other hits went to Akhalwaya and Shapiro

Sukhbir Parmar (Markham, Ont.) pitched four innings for the win giving up three runs on seven hits and one walk. He struck out four as he threw 77 pitches (61% strikes). His fastball was clocked at 77 MPH.

Jaxon Forbes (Markham, Ont.) pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing one unearned run. Shapiro finished pitching 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs -- one earned -- on one hit and a walk. He threw 25 pitches (52% strikes). His fastball was spotted at 78 MPH.

And in the finale: Coach Darryl Reid’s Mets were edged 1-0 by the CFSP Stars at JetBlue Park Field. Spoljaric was dominant putting up four zeros. He gave up one hit and struck out five. He pitched 52 innings (63% for strikes) topping out at 83 MPH.

Alex Vince pitched 1/3 of an inning allowing a run on a walk, while Chong picked him up pitching1 2/3 scoreless. Sitarenios and Capitao had the hits for the Mets.

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The champs: The East Cobb Astros 17U and Scorpions 2020 Founders Club of Winter Park, Fla. shared the championship. The Canes National 17 of Fredericksburg, Va. and Team Louisiana of Erath, La. shared third place.

By Taylor Weber

Perfet Game

Day 1

It was an easy win on day one of the WWBA Underclass World Championship for the Toronto Mets – Reid as they grabbed a 12-4 victory. On the mound for the Mets was righthanded pitcher Turner Spoljaric (2021 Lisle, Ontario). Spoljaric isn’t a large frame on the mound at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, nor is he currently a flamethrower arm. However, he has close to pinpoint accuracy with the fastball that was up to 82 mph in the game. He is also knowledgeable on the mound and mixes well. He will throw a nice little two-plane slider in and out of the zone in counts that hitters aren’t expecting to see an off-speed pitch. Spoljaric was excellent all game in creating weak contact. In four innings he allowed just four hits and two earned runs.

Batting in the two-spot for the Mets was shortstop Justin Carinci (2020 Ajax, Ontario). The righthanded hitter sets up in an open stance with his hands high. He shows a strong contact approach and battles to put the ball in play each and every at-bat. He utilizes quick hands to the ball and is able to work the entire field. Carinci ended the day with two hits, both doubles, driving in a run and scoring twice.

Driving in a couple more runs for the Mets was catcher Robert Battista (2020 Toronto, Ontario). At 6-foot, 190-pounds Battista has a lot of strength and is able to utilize it well in his swing. The lefthanded hitter works strictly to the pull side and looks to get to the ball on an elevated path through the zone. When he connects, Battista is able to make loud contact. He connected on a sharp line drive single into right field that drove in two runs early in the game.

All-Tournament Team

Hitters

Name Team Grad City Province PA AB AVG 1B 2B 3B HR RBI SB OBP OPS

Justin Carinci Toronto Mets 2020 Ajax ON 12 12 .333 1 3 0 0 2 2 .333 .917

Ben Sitarenios Toronto Mets 2020 Richmond Hill ON 11 10 .500 4 1 0 0 2 1 .545 1.145

Pitchers

Name Team Grad City Province W-L ERA IP H K BB ER WHIP

Tyler Chong Toronto Mets 2020 Markham ON 0-0 1.80 4.0 2 2 1 1 .750

Turner Spoljaric Toronto Mets 2021 Lisle ON 1-0 1.80 8.0 5 8 3 2 1.000