HOUSTON, Texas- After getting down to their final 20-player roster that will travel to Mexico tomorrow for the 18U Pan American Championship, Team Canada played their final exhibition contest against Team USA today and dropped a one-sided, 10-2 decision to get swept in the four-game series.
The top four finishers at the tournament in Mexico will qualify for the 2015 IBAF 18U World Cup in Koshien, Japan.
“We’re playing the standard here (USA) and it’s unforgiving at times,” said Head Coach Greg Hamilton. “When you play teams like the U.S. and Cuba, you’re not going to roll the table on them.
“Our goal is not necessarily to be with them, but to finish in the top four (in Mexico).”
The floodgates opened in the top of the sixth when the United States erupted for six runs including a two-run home run from Luken Baker to centerfield that put them in front 10-2.
Canada had opened the scoring for the first time since game one of the series, with a RBI single off the bat of Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON) that brought in LP Pelletier (Montréal, QC) from third base. Pelletier legged out an infield single, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error to get himself into prime scoring position.
Canadian starter Brad Smith (Vancouver, BC) recorded five straight groundball outs to open the game, but got into trouble with two out in the second walking a pair and hitting a batter to load the bases before a fly-out to centre ended the threat.
Although Matt Ianni (Ottawa, ON) wasn’t selected as part of Canada’s 20-player roster, he helped Canada's pitching staff out by throwing an inning against the United States and he made it a quick one getting three fly-outs in between one walk.
Tristan Clarke (Brampton, ON) took the mound in the fourth and hit the first batter he faced before back-to-back singles with one out loaded the bases. Clarke was removed from the game after a sac-fly to left tied the score and Nolan Bumstead (Calgary, AB) took the mound mere days after taking a line drive on the side of his eye for seven stitches.
Bumstead walked a batter before a single up the middle brought in two runs to give the US a two run lead.
Canada answered right back in the bottom of the inning as Gareth Morgan (Toronto, ON) led off with a single and moved to third base before Mitch Robinson (Surrey, BC) doubled down the left field line with two-out to bring him in.
Canada had six hits offensively including two from Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON), while four USA pitchers combined to strikeout 11.
Notes: Players, coaches and staff will depart for La Paz, Mexico tomorrow where Canada will open the 18U Pan American Championship/World Cup Qualifier on September 5th against Venezuela at 4pm ET.
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18U Pan Am Championship schedule
