Baseball Canada’s National Junior Team Head Coach Greg Hamilton is more than pleased with the way his prospects are swinging the bat at the team’s annual spring training Camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida.
The Canadian prospects, who are vying for a spot on the national team that will compete at the 2006 World Junior AAA Championships in Cuba this September, collected 14 hits, Wednesday, in an 8-3 loss against the University of Stetson Hatters.
“We’re really swinging the bats well,” said Hamilton. “We’re physically capable of getting 10 to 12 hits per game down here against professional and Division 1 competition and that’s pretty good. I’m really happy with the way we’re handling ourselves offensively.”
Canada got off to a slow start when the Hatters jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the bottom half of the first inning, but cruised from then on, outscoring the hatters 3-2 over the final 8 frames.
“We’re down here to figure out a few things so once in a while you’re going to give up the big innings,” said Hamilton. “You’re not coaching the same way as you would be if you were really trying to win games. Overall we’re getting better.”
Canada first got on the board in the third inning when Tyson Gillies (Langley, B.C.) led the inning off with an infield bunt and was driven in three batters later by a single to right from Kyle Orr (Victoria, B.C.). After advancing to third base on Orr’s single, Shayne Willson (Surrey, B.C.) was cashed in by an infield single by Mark Ellis (Maple Ridge, B.C.) to make it 8-2.
The Canadians added their final run in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-out RBI single to left by Brett Lawrie (Langley, B.C.) that allowed Kyle Gilligan (Toronto, Ont.) to score.
After left-handed starter Shane Davis (Belmont, Ontario) gave up all eight runs in 1.2 innings or work, Ryan Jenson (Langley, B.C.) and Drew Parker (Surrey, B.C.) stymied Stetson the rest of the way.
Jenson went 4.1 innings, only giving up one hit, while issuing a pair of walks and striking out one batter while Parker no-hit the Hatters over the final two innings.
“Ryan Jenson threw very well,” said Hamilton. “He really settled things down, which was the key for us. If anything, he really gave us an opportunity. Then Drew Parker came in and finished things up very nicely.”
Jonathan Waltenbury (Bowmanville, Ont.) was an offensive stud once again, going 3-for-5. Ellis went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Lawrie was 2-for-5 with an RBI and Willson was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Canada’s next spring training match-up comes against the Lake Sumter Community College Lakers, Thursday afternoon. Game time is schedule for 3 p.m. EST. Jean-Francois Ricard (Saint Eustache, Qué.), Justin Robinson (Langley, B.C.) and Pierre Miville-Deschenes are expected to take to the mound for Canada.
