Astros edge JNT at Fall Camp
Friday, October 9, 2009
ORLANDO, Florida – In what was a well played pitcher’s duel, only a pair of sacrifice flies was what produced runs in this game as the Junior National Team dropped a tightly fought contest to the Houston Astros by a score of 2-0 at the Fall Instructional League Camp.
Both teams only registered three hits each in this game, Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC) got a pair of hits for the JNT.
Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC) got the start on the mound for the Canadians. He gave up a leadoff infield single in the first inning, and after a stolen base, a pair of sacrifice flies scored the first run of the game and Houston took a 1-0 lead.
That would be the only blemish of Ellis’s outing. He went three solid innings, allowing one run on two with and gave up a pair of walks while striking out six Astros hitters.
The Astros scored their second run in the sixth inning against reliever Brian Smith (Pickering, ON) as a leadoff hit batsman, a pair of stolen bases and a sacrifice fly doubled Houston’s lead.
Smith went three innings in relief, allowing an unearned run and no hits. He gave up a walk and registered three strikeouts.
Levi Westerlund (Oyen, AB) pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing only a pair of walks while Iannick Remillard (Valleyfield, QC) threw one scoreless inning, giving up only one walk.
The JNT played an inspired game after receiving a special visit form one of Baseball Canada’s most notable alumni.
“Mr. Baseball Canada” Stubby Clapp, who is now a coach in the Houston Astros organization, payed the players a visit in the visitor’s clubhouse of Champion Stadium prior to the game and gave them a few inspirational words.
“I’ve put on a major-league uniform,” says Clapp, who was with the 2001 St. Louis Cardinals for 25 games, to a very attentive group. “There is no better feeling than putting on the uniform that you are wearing right now. Wearing CANADA across your chest is better than wearing a major-league uniform.”
The Junior National Team will try to continue to feed of those motivational words when they play a double-header on Saturday, October 10th. First up is a matchup with the Atlanta Braves at 10 AM, followed by a game against Seminole Community College at 2 PM.
with files from Bob Elliott
Player of the Week
Tanner (NB )
Week of July 12, 2010:
Tanner is a Rally Cap veteran who comes to practice everyday with a smile on his face. He is working on his Blue and Red Hats this season.Tanner is excelling at fielding this year, his crocodile technique is flawless and he does the "Catch an Egg" drill extremely well. His favorite team is the Boston Red Sox and his favorite pre-game meal is KD. Keep up the good work Tanner!
Tanner est un vétéran du programme « Rallye Cap » qui s'amène jour après jour aux séances d'entraînement avec un grand sourire accroché au visage. Depuis le début de la saison, il est passé du groupe des « casquettes bleues » à celui des « casquettes rouges ». Cette année, Tanner brille à capter des balles, et ce, en plaçant parfaitement ses mains en « bouche de crocodile »! Il réussit également fort bien au jeu de l'attrapé de l'oeuf. Tanner est un partisan inconditionnel des Red Sox de Boston et son repas d'avant match préféré est bien évidemment le “Kraft dinner”! Continu ton bon travail Tanner!
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