The Junior National Team closed out its run at the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship on a winning note Thursday, defeating Cuba 8-2 in Boca Chica.
Calum Andersen (Calgary, AB) set the tone on the mound, working five strong innings while allowing one run on two hits and striking out eight to earn the win.
After two scoreless innings, Canada broke through in the bottom of the third. Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) singled to centre before Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) followed with a single to left and Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC) walked to load the bases. Jalen Jacob (Maple, ON) then delivered a two-run single to centre, scoring Armitage and Lascelles to give Canada a 2-0 lead.
The Juniors added another run in the fourth. Cohen Miller (Calgary, AB) drew a walk and stole second before Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) moved him to third. Armitage followed with a sacrifice fly to right to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Cuba got on the board in the fifth on an RBI single, but Andersen responded by striking out the next two hitters to strand a pair of runners and preserve Canada’s 3-1 lead.
Canada broke the game open with five runs in the sixth. Miller walked and Whiteford was hit by a pitch before Armitage singled to left centre to bring home Miller. Whiteford later scored on a wild pitch before Blain singled to right, scoring Armitage.
An error on the play allowed Sam Ellis (La Pêche, QC) to score as Blain advanced to third, and Jacob followed with a sacrifice fly to complete the five-run frame and push the lead to 8-1.
Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) took over for Andersen in the sixth and retired the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts. Cuba added a solo home run in the seventh before Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) entered and closed out the 8-2 victory with a game-ending double play.
Canada finishes its U-18 Pan American Championship with consecutive victories over Brazil and Cuba in the Placement Round to close out tournament play.
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