North Adams MA- The JNT did not do themselves any favours in their third game of the pre-worlds tour against the North Adams SteepleCats of the NECBL. Offensively the team struck out 14 times while three pitchers combined to give up 10 walks en route to a 2-1 loss.
Jonathan Paquet (Ancienne Lorette, QC) started on the mound for the JNT and struggled in the first inning by walking four batters and allowing the SteepleCats to mount an early 1-0 lead.
“It was just one of those outings that you need to throw out,” said JNT Pitching Coach Chris Begg. “He’s got to move forward, take some work to the bullpen and get it done from there.”
Paquet lasted until the 5th inning and finished the night allowing 2 runs (1 earned), 2 hits, 2 strikeouts and walking seven. The walks seem to be a theme for JNT pitchers at this point in the tour, and something that Begg insists must be resolved.
“I hope we can turn it around and start pitching better, otherwise we’re going to be in a world of hurt by the time the (world championships) tournament comes around.”
The lone JNT run came in the top of the 2nd inning in the form of a Philip Diedrick (Ajax, ON) mammoth homerun that landed well beyond the rightfield fence. Diedrick has been the hottest JNT hitter in the three games played having homered in the first game of the tour against the Laconia Muskrats and providing a key 2 run double in the second game against the Lowell All-Americans.
“I’m feeling confident at the plate,” said Diedrick after the loss to North Adams. “I’m trying to hit fastballs and keep myself out of curveball counts.”
The JNT was shutdown offensively for the rest of the game, only reaching 3rd base twice one of which came in the 5th inning when Emmanuel Forcier (St-Hyacinthe, QC) who had previously walked, stole second and advanced to third on an error.
Coming in relief for the JNT were pitchers Brian Bardis (St. Constant, QC) who threw two scoreless innings and Joel Pierce (Windsor, ON) who pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
Notes: The JNT will have an off-day on July 11th and will be guests of New York Mets outfielder Jason Bay (Trail, BC) at brand new Citi Field in New York. ... The next game action for the JNT will be on July 12th when they take on the Danbury Westerners of the NECBL in Danbury, CT with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30pm ET. ... Robert Nixon (Welland, ON) was the lone Canadian on the SteepleCats roster. ... SteepleCats CF Devon Shines is the son of former Montreal Expo and current New York Mets 1st base coach, Razor Shines.
The 2010 IBAF World Junior (18U) Baseball Championship will host national teams from Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela and the United States. Teams will begin qualifying games on July 23rd and the tournament will culminate in the Gold Medal game on August 1st at the Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Visit the website at www.worldbaseball2010.com. For tickets, please call Toll Free 1-877-422-3201
