Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic – The Canadian Men’s National Team had their bats on full display in a 12-0 win in four innings against the Netherlands. Tyler Pauli (Mitchell, Ont.) broke the game open with a grand slam in the top of the first inning with Canada jumping out to a 7-0 lead. Team Canada produced four homeruns and 12 hits while the pitching duo of Devon McCullough (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Patrick Burns (Saskatoon, Sask.) limited the Netherlands to only one hit.
Canada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.) lined a single into left to lead off the game and later scored on a two-run homerun to center by Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, N.L.). Burns followed with a double down the third base line, moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single to third by Shane Boland (St. John’s, N.L.). A single by Kyle Ezekiel (Holyrood, N.L.) and a walk by Bryan Abrey (Richmond, B.C.) loaded the bases, with rookie Tyler Pauli stepping up and smashing a grand slam over the right field fence to give Canada a 7-0 lead.
The Netherlands put two runners on base with a single and a hit by pitch, but McCullough settled in and struck out the side. In the second, Blake Hunter (Nanaimo, B.C.) drew a one-out walk, moved up to third after a pair of wild pitches and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Mullaley. After McCullough struck out the side in the bottom of the second, Kris Walushka (Victoria, B.C.) used his speed to pick up a double off the shortstop, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Ezekiel. Abrey followed that up with a solo shot to left as Canada increased its lead to 10-0.
In the top of the fourth, Bradley Ezekiel (Harbour Main, N.L.) singled up the middle and scored on a two-run blast by Hunter. Burns came in to pitch the bottom of the inning and retired the Netherlands in order to end the game.
Box Score: Canada 12 vs. Netherlands 0
McCullough registered the win by allowing only one hit and striking out eight in three innings, with Burns striking out two in an inning of relief. Pauli’s grand slam was the biggest of Canada’s for home runs, with Mullaley and Hunter each hitting two-run shots and Abrey adding a solo one. Burns and Walushka each had a pair of hits including a double, while Roy, Bradley Ezekiel, Shane Boland and Kyle Ezekiel each contributed a single.
Canada improved its record to 2-0 and will play a key game in Group B against Australia (1-0) at 7:30pm local time (1:30pm EDT) in Prague on Sunday. Live scoring is available through the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship website, with live streaming available at FloSoftball.com (paid subscription required).
Canada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.) lined a single into left to lead off the game and later scored on a two-run homerun to center by Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, N.L.). Burns followed with a double down the third base line, moved up to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single to third by Shane Boland (St. John’s, N.L.). A single by Kyle Ezekiel (Holyrood, N.L.) and a walk by Bryan Abrey (Richmond, B.C.) loaded the bases, with rookie Tyler Pauli stepping up and smashing a grand slam over the right field fence to give Canada a 7-0 lead.
The Netherlands put two runners on base with a single and a hit by pitch, but McCullough settled in and struck out the side. In the second, Blake Hunter (Nanaimo, B.C.) drew a one-out walk, moved up to third after a pair of wild pitches and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Mullaley. After McCullough struck out the side in the bottom of the second, Kris Walushka (Victoria, B.C.) used his speed to pick up a double off the shortstop, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Ezekiel. Abrey followed that up with a solo shot to left as Canada increased its lead to 10-0.
In the top of the fourth, Bradley Ezekiel (Harbour Main, N.L.) singled up the middle and scored on a two-run blast by Hunter. Burns came in to pitch the bottom of the inning and retired the Netherlands in order to end the game.
Box Score: Canada 12 vs. Netherlands 0
McCullough registered the win by allowing only one hit and striking out eight in three innings, with Burns striking out two in an inning of relief. Pauli’s grand slam was the biggest of Canada’s for home runs, with Mullaley and Hunter each hitting two-run shots and Abrey adding a solo one. Burns and Walushka each had a pair of hits including a double, while Roy, Bradley Ezekiel, Shane Boland and Kyle Ezekiel each contributed a single.
Canada improved its record to 2-0 and will play a key game in Group B against Australia (1-0) at 7:30pm local time (1:30pm EDT) in Prague on Sunday. Live scoring is available through the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship website, with live streaming available at FloSoftball.com (paid subscription required).
