Prince Albert, Sask. - Canada placed third at the 2024 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Group B after an 8-0 victory over Singapore in its first playoff game and a hard-fought 4-1 loss to New Zealand in the repechage game.
Game 1: Canada vs. Singapore
From the outset, Canada showcased their competitive spirit with Justin Schofield (Grand Pré, N.S.) delivering an exceptional no-hitter performance in the circle. Schofield pitched five innings, striking out 12 of the 16 Singapore batters. Only two Singapore players reached first base on a hit by pitch and a dropped third strike.
Canada's offense exploded early, scoring five runs in the first inning. Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.) set the tone with a leadoff home run to right field. Bryan Abrey (Richmond, B.C.) drew a walk, followed by Blake Hunter's (Nanaimo, B.C.) single through the left side. With two outs and Cory Jones (Leduc Alta.) at the plate, Abrey scored on a wild pitch, and Jones singled to drive in Hunter. Justin Laskowski (Warman, Sask.) capped the inning with a two-run homer to deep center field, putting Canada up 5-0.
Canada added two more runs in the second inning with back-to-back singles by Jordan Pomeroy (Placentia, N.L.) and Roy. Hunter then drove in both Pomeroy and Roy with a single up the middle.
In the fourth inning, Hunter hit a double to center field, followed by Jeff Lyons' (Appin, Ont.) single up the middle to bring in the final run for Canada, sealing an 8-0 victory.
Box Score: Canada 8, Singapore 0
Game 2: Canada vs. New Zealand
After a rain delay in the New Zealand vs. Argentina game, Argentina emerged victorious, setting up a repechage clash between Canada and New Zealand for the second spot in the World Cup Final next year.
Mathieu Roy once again started strong for Canada, hitting another home run to right field, giving Canada a 1-0 lead.
Canada held New Zealand scoreless for three innings. However, in the fourth inning, New Zealand tied the game 1-1 with a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and a single to left field that scored one run.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, New Zealand took the lead with a leadoff home run over the right field fence, making it 2-1. A single through the left side put another runner on base, prompting a pitching change for Canada. Justin Schofield replaced Ty Sebastian (Brussels, Ont.), but New Zealand continued their momentum with a double to left field. An intentional walk loaded the bases, and Schofield struck out the next batter for the second out. However, a single to right field brought in two more runs, making the final score 4-1 in favor of New Zealand.
Ty Sebastian pitched 5.1 innings for Canada, striking out 9, walking 3, and allowing 3 hits. Schofield pitched the remaining 0.2 innings, striking out 2, walking 1, and allowing 2 hits.
Box Score: Canada 1, New Zealand 4
Canada placed third at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Group B but advanced to the 2026 World Cup Final as the host country. New Zealand and Argentina have officially punched their tickets to the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Final which will take place in 2025, joining the Dominican Republic and Australia who qualified in Group A.
Group C will be held September 17-21 in Oklahoma City with two more spots on the line. One wild card team will round out the eight-team field.
