News

TAIPEI, Taiwan – It was a pitcher’s duel until the sixth inning when the Senior National Team broke open the scoring and took a 7-1 win from the Netherlands at the 2007 IBAF World Cup at Hsinchuang Stadium.

Brooks McNiven (Vancouver, BC) threw a gem as he would only allow four hit over six innings with a pair of strikeouts to earn the win for the Canadians.

“I wanted to go out and pitch my game.  I’m really happy with my outing and it was a big win for us,” says McNiven, who had 12 ground ball outs in his performance.

The Canadians got to Netherlands starter Rob Cordemans, who was throwing a gem of his own until the sixth inning.  Mike Saunders led off the inning with a solo home run to break the scoreless tie and give the Canadians the 1-0 lead.

“It was big to get the momentum on our side,” says Saunders, who was 1-for-3 with the home run, a pair of walks and two runs scored.  “I think this was a must win game and we came out and put a pounding on and if we keep doing what we’re doing, with two tough games coming up, we can compete with anybody.”

With the score 2-0 going into the top of the seventh inning, Canada put up a four spot to increase their lead to 6-0.  Emerson Frostad (Calgary, AB) hit a two RBI single to score Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, BC), who singled and Saunders who walked.  Frostad and Nick Weglarz (Stevensville, ON) would later come in to score on a two RBI single from Jamie Romak (London, ON).

The Netherlands would make it 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh when Bryan Englehardt hit a solo home run, but the Canadians would get the run back in the eighth inning on a RBI single from Weglarz to score Rogelstad.

“It was a big win for us,” says SNT Field Manager Terry Puhl, “Brooks did a nice job keeping us in the ball game and threw very, very well.  We had some timely hits which was good to see.”

“We view every game as a must win.  We’ll come back in a couple days and keep pounding away.”

The Senior National Team has an off day before they take on Venezuela on Tuesday, November 13 at 6 pm at Tien-Mou Stadium.  The probable starter for Canada is James Avery (Moose Jaw, SK).