The Canadian Junior National Team jumped out to an early lead but fell 8–5 to the State College Spikes in game two of MLB Draft League International Series action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Canada opened the scoring in the second inning after Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, AB) singled, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, QC) walked and stole second. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) delivered the clutch two-run single to centre field to give the Juniors a 2–0 lead.
After State College got one run back in the bottom half, Canada answered again in the third. Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) walked, Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB) singled, and both moved up on a wild pitch before Omidi scored on another wild pitch. Aiden Kilshaw (Saskatoon, SK) then capped the inning with an RBI single to right field to score MacDonald and extend the lead to 4–1.
The Spikes responded with a big third inning and added another run in the fourth, but Canada continued to push late. Lascelles tripled to centre field in the ninth and came in to score on a groundout from Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), who finished his day 2-for-5 at the plate.
On the mound, Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, ON) started for Canada and struck out one over two innings of work. Logan Cummins (Mississauga, ON) turned in a strong relief appearance late, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit to keep the Juniors within striking distance.
The Juniors will look to bounce back and salvage the series finale against the State College Spikes tomorrow evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
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(L.Cummins, E.Lascelles, A.Kilshaw)
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