The BWAA 10u Purple team opened up the first ever inter boro playoffs with a convincing 8-2 win over Brookline at Bulldog Park last night.

Playing as the away team, the Bulldogs would make some noise early as Devan would work a leadoff walk and steal second. Luke B followed with a single and steal of his own but they would both be stranded as well as Nathan, who worked a 2 out walk.

Birthday boy Tyler would take the mound for the start and was sharp early, striking out the Brookline leadoff batter. Ty would also get Brooklines big hitter looking at strike 3 before inducing their cleanup batter into a groundout to Dylan at short.

Mikey would lead off the second with a walk and a steal, followed by Dacien drawing a walk. The Brookline manager then switched pitchers, bringing their top pitcher into the game a little earlier than he wanted. A double steal followed by a walk to Tyler had the purple boys in business. Drew battled in his at bat but was retired. Then Devan ripped a 2 run single to right and was part of another double steal before Luke B worked a walk to load the bases again. Ryan G drew a walk to plate the ’Dogs third run and Dylan would get an RBI groundout for the fourth run of the inning.

Working with a lead, Tyler would strike out 2 more batters between a pair of walks. Dylan would be summoned to close out the inning, and after a walk, struck out a batter of his own to end the threat.

In the top of the third, Mason would lead off with a walk and a couple steals but would be left there without scoring.

Dylan took the mound in the third and gave up a leadoff single before striking out the next batter. With Brooklines best hitter coming up the visitors were looking for a big inning. A double to left scored the first run. The cleanup batter would walk but then inexplicably bolted for second base. Dylan would race him to second base and tag him out for the second out of the inning for one of the best plays of the season before finishing his outing with a strikeout, keeping the Bulldogs with a 4-1 lead after 3.

A new pitcher for Brookline kept the BWAA boys in check, with the excitement of the inning being Luke ripping a line drive up the middle which was snagged by the new hurler.

Nate would be the next pitcher and worked a clean inning, fielding a comebacker and striking out a batter before Dacien would make a slick play at 2nd, throwing out the Brookline runner from his knees to end the inning!

The 5th inning would see the Bulldogs pick up a pair of insurance runs. Dylan had a 1 out single and steal and Nate ripped a single of his own to score Dylan. A 2 out walk to Mikey would set up Dacien for a hustling infield single to score Nate making the score 6-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, Big Red would strike out the first and last batters of the inning, with the action in the middle being another nifty play by Dacien to get a force at second.

The Bulldogs came to bat in the sixth looking to put the game away. Devan would pick up his 2nd hit of the evening and steal a couple bases while Luke was working another walk. Ryan G picked up an important RBI with a groundout before Dylan earned another hit and RBI. Nate and Mason would draw walks but the bases would be left loaded for the second time of the night.

Devan would be called on to finish the game. A couple hits by the big Brookline hitters would score a run but Dev would strike out 3 of the next 5 batters to send the Bulldog fans into cheers and congratulations after a big win to open the playoffs!

Coach Marc would take the boys to left field after the handshakes and would praise the whole team. He commended their efforts and intensity in the game and asked them if they wanted to win another one tomorrow night. Everyone did their part, pitching, defense, and hustling all night.

The Bulldogs look to keep the season going with a semifinal matchup against the Carrick Royals tonight. The game is set for an 8pm start in Brookline. Brentwood takes on the other Brookline squad in the other semifinal with that game starting at 6pm.