The University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team defeated the first-place Laurier Golden Hawks 9-7 on Saturday, September 19 at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus.

Down 2-1 going into the bottom of the second inning, fourth-year Blues short stop David Fallico (Toronto) hit a two-run double to give the Blues a 3-2 lead.

Toronto continued their dominant play, tallying five runs in the third inning, with scoring singles by Jonathan Issac (Toronto) and Fallico, as well as a Jamie Lekas (Toronto) RBI double.

Up 8-2 going into the top of the seventh inning, Laurier began to close the gap with three runs off of reliever Ryan Donnelly (Toronto). The Golden Hawks would add another two in the top of the eighth and with the tying run on base and two out, Lekas made a game-saving catch, diving to nab the shot that was hit into the left-centre field alley.

Feeding off that momentum, the Blues added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth on a run scoring single by Josh Jacymyc (Toronto).

Veteran pitcher Jake Gallo (Toronto) earned the win in his first start for the Blues since being named the OUA pitcher of the year in 2007. He didn't pitch last year due to an arm injury. On a pitch count today, Gallo showed flashes of dominance in going five innings, giving up two runs while striking out five Golden Hawks along the way.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow when they host a doubleheader versus the McMaster Marauders at University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. Game times are scheduled for 12 and 2:30 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