Prague, Czech Republic – The Canadian Men’s National Team earned the Bronze medal at the 2019 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship after defeating the defending champions and top ranked New Zealand 2-1 on Sunday. Patrick Burns (Saskatoon, Saks.) fired the complete game win, allowing only a run and three hits with 12 strikeouts while Steve Mullaley (Freshwater, N.L.) and Bradley Ezekiel (Harbour Main, N.L.) each drove in a run with key hits to lead Canada to the win.
Burns retired New Zealand in order with two strikeouts and a fly out in the top of the first, while Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.) led off the bottom of the inning with a single but a fly out and a double play ended the inning. In the second, Burns struck out the first two batters followed by a ground out to short as he made quick work of New Zealand, with Canada also going down in order on a pop out to second and a pair of good plays on ground balls by shortstop Cole Evans.
In the top of the third, New Zealand got a one-out single, but the runner was called out for a lead off on an attempted steal. The next batter drilled a triple to centerfield but Burns notched an important strikeout to leave the runner stranded on third. After Canada was sit down in order once again, Reilly Makea led off the top of the fourth with a homerun to left to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Roy led off with a walk, moved up to second on a ground ball and scored on a triple down the third base line by Mullaley to tie the game.
Burns issued a leadoff walk to start the fifth with the runner being sacrificed to second. After a strikeout for the second out, the runner advanced to third on a wild pitch but Burns struck out the next batter to keep the game tied. Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI) led off the bottom of the inning with a single and stole second after a pair of fly outs, with Roy drawing a walk to put two runners on base. Bradley Ezekiel then stepped up and laced a single to left to score Ellsworth from second to give Canada a 2-1 lead.
In the sixth, Nathan Nukunuku got a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch but Burns came up with another big strikeout to hold the lead. The following inning, Burns got a ground out and a pair of strikeouts to close out the game.
Box Score: Canada 2 vs. New Zealand 1
Burns allowed a run on three hits and two walks to go along with 12 strikeouts in the complete game win. At the plate, Mullaley’s triple was Canada’s only extra-base hit with Ezekiel, Roy and Ellsworth each hitting singles. Roy also drew two walks, with Jason Hill (St. John’s, N.L.) also doing the same.
Canada wins its second consecutive Bronze medal at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship after winning one in 2017. Argentina and Japan will play for Gold later today.
Burns retired New Zealand in order with two strikeouts and a fly out in the top of the first, while Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.) led off the bottom of the inning with a single but a fly out and a double play ended the inning. In the second, Burns struck out the first two batters followed by a ground out to short as he made quick work of New Zealand, with Canada also going down in order on a pop out to second and a pair of good plays on ground balls by shortstop Cole Evans.
In the top of the third, New Zealand got a one-out single, but the runner was called out for a lead off on an attempted steal. The next batter drilled a triple to centerfield but Burns notched an important strikeout to leave the runner stranded on third. After Canada was sit down in order once again, Reilly Makea led off the top of the fourth with a homerun to left to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Roy led off with a walk, moved up to second on a ground ball and scored on a triple down the third base line by Mullaley to tie the game.
Burns issued a leadoff walk to start the fifth with the runner being sacrificed to second. After a strikeout for the second out, the runner advanced to third on a wild pitch but Burns struck out the next batter to keep the game tied. Jeff Ellsworth (St. Lawrence, PEI) led off the bottom of the inning with a single and stole second after a pair of fly outs, with Roy drawing a walk to put two runners on base. Bradley Ezekiel then stepped up and laced a single to left to score Ellsworth from second to give Canada a 2-1 lead.
In the sixth, Nathan Nukunuku got a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch but Burns came up with another big strikeout to hold the lead. The following inning, Burns got a ground out and a pair of strikeouts to close out the game.
Box Score: Canada 2 vs. New Zealand 1
Burns allowed a run on three hits and two walks to go along with 12 strikeouts in the complete game win. At the plate, Mullaley’s triple was Canada’s only extra-base hit with Ezekiel, Roy and Ellsworth each hitting singles. Roy also drew two walks, with Jason Hill (St. John’s, N.L.) also doing the same.
Canada wins its second consecutive Bronze medal at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship after winning one in 2017. Argentina and Japan will play for Gold later today.
