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TORONTO -- Three was the number of the day.
The Toronto baseball team plated three runs in four different innings helping it to overcome three errors as Toronto defeated United, 17-7, in five innings on a cold Friday evening at the Knights Baseball Complex.
The Red Knights did not play their best game, but Toronto was able to overcome its mistakes and pulled away to defeat the Golden Eagles (0-2).
"It wasn't exactly the best environment for a game," veteran Toronto (3-1) head coach Brian Perkins said. "The playing conditions were tough. Our kids battled all day, and they found away to be successful."
The Knights tallied at least three runs in all five innings.
The hosts led 9-3 after three innings, but the Eagles countered with four runs in the top of the fourth to pull within a pair of runs, however, the Red Knights recorded five runs in the bottom half of the inning and three more in the fifth to bring the game to an end via the 10-run mercy rule.
Toronto outhit United, 12-5.
"We hit the ball really well one through nine," Perkins said. "I am happy with our approach at the plate. We showed good discipline at the plate. We put a lot of pressure on them on the bases."
Evan Wolter recorded the win for the Red Knights. He struck out three and walked three in three innings of work. Wolter was replaced by Max Silverthorn on the mound to start the fourth. Silverthorn did not record a strikeout while walking three in his 2/3 of an inning on the mound. Aiden Filby relieved Silverthorn in the fourth, and Filby finished the game. He ended up with one strikeout and one walk.
The Golden Eagles took advantage of errors and walks to score all seven of their runs.
"Early on, we made some bad plays," Perkins said. "We preach to the kids about moving on to the next play, the next ball. We did a good job of that today."
Andrew Winn took the loss for United. Winn struck out four and walked four in his four innings of work on the mound. Gage Smith came on in relief to start the fifth. Smith did not record a strikeout while walking five in his 1/3 of an inning of work.
Dom Bouscher delivered all three of Toronto's extra-base hits on the day. Bouscher collected a single, two doubles, a triple and three RBI to lead the way offensively for the winners. Also, Logan Sloane produced two singles and four RBI, Wolter, who moved to catcher after being on the mound, contributed two singles and three RBI and Zeb Kinsey chipped in with two singles and two RBI. Finally, Blake Close, Russ Dickinson and Nolan Dickinson all singled for the Red and White.
Winn led the way offensively for the Blue and Gold with a double an three RBI. Also, Brock Rhodes doubled and had three RBI, while Parker Newburn and Trent Newburn each tallied a single.
Toronto committed two errors in the first leading to a pair of United runs as the visitors led 2-0 heading into the home half of the first.
Bouscher started the inning off with his first double of the game, and Wolter and Kinsey both had an RBI in the inning as the Red Knights scored three times to take a 3-2 lead. Wolter brought home a run on a fielder's choice, while Kinsey singled home one.
A walk, a balk and a wild pitch on strike 3 led to the Golden Eagles scoring a run in the second to tie the score at 3.
Toronto answered with three runs in the second and three more in the third to take a six-run advantage.
Winn and Rhodes delivered back-to-back two run doubles in the fourth to pull United to within 9-7, however, Toronto tallied the final eight runs of the game to win its third game since opening the season last Saturday.
"We have a young team," Perkins said. "We played a very good Division I Boardman team yesterday. Our kids competed their butts off. We just want to continue to get better."
The Golden Eagles also made three errors in the game.
Toronto is scheduled to play John Glenn at noon today back at the KBC.
United is scheduled to play Malvern at 5 p.m. Tuesday at home.
Toronto 17, United 7
United 210 40 – 7 5 3
Toronto 333 53 – 17 12 3
UNITED (0-2): Winn LP (4IP, 4K, 4BB), Smith (1/3IP, 0K, 5BB) and P. Newburn and Berdine. P. Newburn S; T. Newburn S; Winn D, 3RBI; Rhodes S, D, 2RBI.
TORONTO (3-1): Wolter WP (3IP, 3K, 3BB), Silverthorn (2/3IP, 0K, 3BB), Filby (1 1/3IP, 1K, 1BB) and Derrington and Wolter. Bouscher S, 2D, T, 3RBI; Wolter 2S, 3RBI; Kinsey 2S, 2RBI; Close S; R. Dickinson S; N. Dickinson S; Sloane 2S, 4RBI.