Cuba took an early lead on the Junior National Team and the Canadians could not catch up as they would fall in their America’s World Junior Qualifying tournament matchup, 11-2.
The Cubans would jump out of the gate with an 8-0 lead after the third inning. Jossen Cuesta was 4-for-4 with an RBI and a walk to lead Cuba’s offence.
The starting pitcher for Cuba, Freddy Alvarez, threw seven innings, allowing only two runs on four hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.
For the Canadians, both of their runs came in the fifth inning. Chad Stang of Surrey, B.C., who reached on a single and was 2-for-3 with a walk on the day, came in to score on a wild pitch to put the Juniors on the board. Brett Sanders of Etobicoke, Ontario, who reached via the walk, scored on the double from Carter Bell of Courtenay, B.C.
Evan Grills of Whitby, Ontario started on the mound and went two and 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts to take the loss.
Stosh Wawrzasek of Langley, B.C. came in after Grills and gave up four runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three and 2/3 innings pitched. Nick Bucci of Sarnia, Ontario finished the game and went two innings, allowing only two runners to reach base by walks and struck out one.
Next up for the Junior National Team will be Venezuela on Sunday, August 26 at 3 pm at Hacienda Stadium.
