The University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team fell 4-2 in game one of their OUA semi-final series against the Western Mustangs on Saturday, October 10 at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

The Blues jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but failed to get the big hit as they stranded six runners in scoring position.

Toronto’s runs came in the second and third innings, as the Blues took advantage of a Mustang error in each instance.

With two out and Toronto natives James McNeil and Jamie Lekas on second and third base, respectively, Western’s first baseman Rob Wakefield (St. Thomas, Ont.) was unable to snag a low throw, allowing Lekas to score.

In the following inning, third-year short stop David Fallico (Toronto) found himself on third base and took advantage when Mustangs catcher Kyle Harris’ (Strathroy, Ont.) attempted throw on Chris Dahiroc's (Ajax, Ont.) delayed steal ended up in centre field.

Western started to rally with three straight hits to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. A two-run double by Graeme Price (Burlington, Ont.) would score Harris and Wakefield, followed by a RBI single by Andrew Thompson (Brampton, Ont.) to bring Price home would give the Mustangs a 3-2 lead.

Western added an insurance run in the sixth inning as Bruce Craine (Whitby, Ont.) knocked in Shawn Robinson (Sarnia, Ont.) from second base with a run-scoring single.

The Blues best chance to get back into the game was in the top of the sixth, with one out and runners at second and third. However, Western's starting pitcher Jordan Townshend (London, Ont.) was able to strike out Blues pinch hitter Khalil Sheriff (Scarborough, Ont.) and induce a hard hit ground ball out to Josh Jacymkc (Toronto).

Jake Gallo (Toronto) took the loss giving up all four runs in seven and one third innings, scattering nine hits and striking out five.

The OUA best-of-three semi-final series continues tomorrow (Oct. 11) as the Blues travel to London, Ont. for game 2 and 3 (if necessary) at Labatt Park. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.