Bahia Blanca, Argentina - The Quick Story:   

Team Canada opened its U18 Men’s Pan American schedule with an 11-4 loss to the host team from Argentina. The red and white got off to a great start offensively by scoring four runs in the top of the first and chasing the Argentinean pitcher from the game but couldn’t score for the remainder of the game.

Key Moment:   

Canada fed off the energy and excitement of a loud Argentinean crowd to get on the board early. Jared Picco led off with a walk followed by a double to right by Colton Lecuyer before Kian Poitras drove both runners in with a triple to left. A double by Maverick Turgeon brought Poitras home, and after a walk and an infield single loaded the bases, Cade Kuehl was hit by a pitch to increase Canada’s lead to 4-0. Argentina scored three runs on wild pitches and passed balls in the bottom of the frame, then tied the game with a homerun in the second before pulling away with four runs in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Notes:   

• Canada got four of its five hits in the first inning with Poitras’ two-run triple, a pair of doubles and a single by Mark Tomatuk.
• Brett Slusar added a triple in the top of the sixth.

• Mark Tomatuk, Jeremy Breton and Keegan Maguire shared duties in the pitcher’s circle.