Saul dominates in B.C. win over Ontario Green

Right-hander Eli Saul, who hones his skills with the UBC Thunder, had 10 strikeouts in five innings for the B.C. squad in their 4-3 win over Ontario Green at T12 on Saturday. Photo Credit: Prep Baseball Report

By Karan Gill

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO – Eli Saul struck out 10 in five innings as the B.C. Orange squad beat Ontario Green 4-3 in Tournament 12 action Saturday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.

Saul threw 55 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, allowing only one hit, one walk and one earned run.

“I was really locating my fastballs well and my slider was the best I’ve ever thrown it,” Saul said, after the game.

The 1-1 count that every batter starts with didn’t influence the pitcher’s approach.

“I just try to get ahead. To get to that 1-2,” said Saul. “I just always try to stay aggressive. I think it does help having a 1-1 count.”

Joshua Walker had one triple, a single and two runs for the Orange (1-1), while Connor Dykstra, Madjik Mackenzie and Jude Hall each drove in a run.

For the Green (0-1-1), Drew Howard and Tyrell Schofield-Sam had an RBI each.

B.C. got going early when Walker scored on a Dykstra ground out.

In the second inning, Hall doubled on a fly ball to right field driving in Ryan Beitel. Mackenzie singled in the third inning on a line drive to right field driving in Walker.

B.C. got their fourth run on a fielding error, allowing Taisel Yahiro to score. Facing a 4-0 deficit, Ontario Green bounced back in the bottom of the sixth.

Joel McKnight was walked and then stole second. Kieran Gagnon hit a line drive to shortstop Beitel who, on a fielder’s choice overthrew third base, allowing McKnight to score and Gagnon to advance to second.

Saul’s dominating time on the mound ended as he was pulled for pitcher Adam Maier.

“It was pretty crazy throwing on this field,” said Saul. “It’s a field I’ve always dreamed of throwing at so it was a cool experience.”

Howard then singled to right field driving in Gagnon to close the gap to two, which was followed by a Schofield-Sam ground out allowing Bryce Arnold to score. Maier weathered the Green storm by inducing a ground out to end the inning.

Maier struck out one in the bottom of the seventh to get the save.

Both teams will play again Sunday as Ontario Green will face Ontario Black on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. E.T. and B.C. Orange will square off against Alberta Red at 5:30 p.m. E.T.