News

The wheels fell off in the eighth inning for the Junior National Team as they allowed three runs to score to give Chinese Taipei the advantage they needed and take a second straight game from the Canadians 6-2 here at the USA Exhibition Series in Joplin, Missouri.

Chinese Taipei had three consecutive hits, two singles and a double from Wei-Ting Lin, Chih Yuan Lien and Yu Hsin Chu in the eighth inning with the score tied 2-2 off of Stosh Wawrzasek of Langley, B.C.  Wawrzasek threw two innings in relief and allowed four runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout to take the loss.

Errors were also a major factor for the loss by the Canadians as they would commit five in the game to Chinese Taipei’s one.

The Juniors were able to score their runs in the third and fourth innings.  Chad Stang of Surrey, B.C. (1-for-3) doubled and came in to score in the third inning off of the single from Michael Mutcheson of Morden, Manitoba, who would finish the game 2-for-3.

In the fourth inning with Chinese Taipei leading 2-1, Marcus Knecht of Toronto, Ontario, who had doubled, came in to score on a RBI double from Carter Bell of Courtenay, B.C. to tie the game.  Bell finished the game 1-for-3.

Nick Bucci of Sarnia, Ontario started the game for the Canadians and was solid in his international debut.  Bucci threw four innings, allowing two unearned runs on one hit with four walks and two strikeouts.

Ryan Kennedy of Calgary, Alberta came in the game in relief and threw three shutout innings, allowing only two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

The next game for the Junior National Team will be at 4 pm at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin against the Premier team.