For the second straight week, the Huronia Grey Jays were short three players when they took on Barrie Blue at Perkinsfield last Tuesday.
Barrie Blue is one of the three teams in the top tier of the Simcoe-Muskoka SLO-Pitch league.
With many players out of position and strong hitters missing from the lineup, the Jays simply could not match up on the day either offensively or defensively.
The cold, windy day started in a steady drizzle which didn’t help. Barrie Blue’s strong hitting attack got them off to a 10 to nothing lead before the Jays answered with four in the second.
Both teams were held scoreless in the 3rd before the Blue onslaught continued in the 4th with five in the inning and again in the 5th and 7th.
The Grey Jays could only muster eight runs in the final four innings and the game ended in a 28-12 decision.
The second game began with more promise for the Jays with them scoring three in the bottom of the 1st for a score of 5-3 after one.
Barrie Blue then made a couple of defensive changes and demonstrated the way the top-tier teams dominate the lower-tier teams.
The speed and range of the Blue defence completely shut down the Jays offence in what was ultimately a 26-5 loss for the Jays.
Disappointing, but not unexpected given that similar score spreads between top-tier teams from the cities and lower-tier teams have been the norm this season.
Simcoe-Muskoka League Standings
Barrie Green 18 wins 2 losses 36pts
Orillia 15 wins 5 losses 30pts
Barrie Blue 13 wins 5 losses 26pt
Wasaga 4 wins 14 losses 8pts
Grey Jays 3 wins 15 losses 6pts
Bracebridge 3 wins 17 losses 6pts
