Prince Albert, Sask. - After an eventful doubleheader on Thursday, Team Canada finished the day with a 2-1 record at the 2024 WBSC Softball Men’s World Cup Group B, securing a 7-1 win against Singapore before falling 2-0 to Argentina.
Game 1: Canada vs. Singapore
Canada started strong against Singapore, taking the lead in the top of the first inning with a two-out home run by Blake Hunter (Nanaimo, B.C.) over the center field wall. Ty Sebastian (Brussels, Ont.) pitched for Canada and, despite allowing a solo homerun in the bottom of the first to tie the game, he pitched lights out the rest of the game. Sebastian struck out 15 of 22 batters, walked only one, and relied on solid defense to handle the remaining six at-bats.
Canada’s offense added another run in the fifth inning when Jordan Pomeroy (Placentia, N.L.) drew a walk and Justin Laskowski (Warman, Sask.) hit a triple down the first base line, scoring Pomeroy to make it 2-1.
In the seventh inning, Canada took control, scoring five runs with two outs. Nick White (Truro, N.S.) started the rally with a bunt single, followed by a walk for Mathieu Roy (St-Gervais, Que.). Bryan Abrey (Richmond, B.C.) and Hunter both singled to score White and Roy. With runners on first and second, Cory Jones (Leduc, Alta.) capped off the inning with a three-run home run over center field, ending the game at 7-1 for Canada.
Box Score: Canada 7, Singapore 1.
Game 2: Canada vs. Argentina
In the second game of the doubleheader, Canada had an opportunity to take the lead in the first inning by loading the bases. Roy hit a single up the middle, followed by Hunter’s single through the left side, and Pomeroy reaching on a fielding error. However, Argentina escaped the inning without allowing a run.
In the fourth inning, Argentina broke the deadlock with a hit by pitch, a sacrifice bunt, a single up the middle, and a sacrifice flyout to right field, scoring one run.
Canada threatened in the fifth inning with runners in scoring position after White hit a single to left field and Roy walked. White and Roy advanced on a wild pitch, but the inning ended with a groundout to second base.
Argentina added another run in the fifth inning with a triple to center field followed by a single, bringing the final score to 2-0.
Justin Schofield (Grand Pré, N.S.) started on the mound for Canada, pitching 4.2 innings, striking out 7, and allowing 4 hits. Tyler Randerson (New Hamburg, Ont.) provided relief, pitching 1.1 innings with 2 strikeouts and allowing 1 hit.
Box Score: Argentina 2, Canada 0.
Canada currently holds a 2-1 record at the WBSC Softball Men’s World Cup and is set to play New Zealand tonight, July 12, at 7:00 pm CST (9:00 pm EDT).
