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18U World Cup: Canada eliminated after loss to Japan

TAICHUNG, Taiwan- Japan scored three runs in the third and added another three in the fourth to overcome a four-run deficit and went onto defeat Canada 7-5 in an error filled game.

The loss eliminated Canada from medal contention at the 18U World Cup as a result of a 2-3 record and a fourth place finish in pool play.

Canada will be forced to play for seventh place tomorrow against a yet to be determined opponent.

“At the end of the day they were able to settle things when they needed to settle things,” said Manager Greg Hamilton. “They didn’t exactly play a clean baseball game and we gave them some opportunity and some life to get back in the game.

“They’re not an overwhelming offensive club, but they pitch outstanding. They command secondary stuff and roll out guys with three pitch command which is tough to beat at any level.”

Canada jumped out of the shoot quickly in the top of the first as Chris Thibideau (Dartmouth, NS) led-off with an infield single and after moving to second on a ground out, Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC) singled up the middle to score him.

O’Neill ended up on second base when the throw went home and he scored when the shortstop threw the ball away at third on Josh Naylor’s (Mississauga, ON) grounder.

Naylor later came into count on an RBI double to left-centre off the bat of Mitch Bigras (Sarnia, ON).

With two out in the bottom of the inning, Japan got one of the runs back after a solo home run off starter Brodie Harkness (Bowmanville, ON).

In the third, Canada added to their lead with two runs that came when Gareth Morgan (Toronto, ON) hit an RBI single to left and Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, ON) followed with a sac-fly that scored Mitch Bigras.

Errors continued to hurt Canada as Japan scored three times in the bottom of third coming on a two-run single followed by an error at second base to close the gap to one.

Harkness got into trouble in the fourth walking two batters with one out and was removed from the game in favour of Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, ON).

With Quantrill on the mound, a potential double-play ball was mishandled at shortstop loading the bases before a hotshot back to the mound deflected off Quantrill’s glove and rolled into the outfield which brought in the tying and go ahead runs.

The second Canadian error of the inning allowed another run to score and all of a sudden Japan was up by two.

Japan’s pitching depth took over from then on as three pitchers combined to limit Canada to just one hit from the fifth inning on.

Quantrill also did a nice job tossing four scoreless innings to keep his team in the game.

Although Canada is eliminated from medal contention, the team will have an opportunity to play for pride tomorrow and finish the tournament on a positive note with a win.

“(Tomorrow’s) game does matter,” explained Hamilton. “I said to the guys that seventh (place) is better than eighth and we have an opportunity to finish on a high note as a group.

“I think we have to come out tomorrow and try and finish it up the right way.”

Box Score: Japan 7 Canada 5

Notes: Tomorrow’s game will be at Taichung Stadium at 6:30pm CST/6:30am ET.

For tournament information including standings, schedule, rosters, stats and access to live scoring for all games, please visit: www.18ubaseballworldcup.org

You can follow the Junior National Team on their quest for gold throughout the IBAF 18U World Cup by visiting Baseball.ca or by following @baseballcanada on Twitter.


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