Saskatoon, Sask. - On Friday, Team Canada kicked off the Men’s International Softball Super Series with a 3-0 victory against the Saskatoon Jacks, followed by a 7-3 defeat to the New Zealand Black Sox. 

Game 1: Canada vs. Saskatoon Jacks 

In the first game, Canada quickly took the lead with Jordan Pomeroy (Placentia, N.L.) hitting a double to center field, followed by a triple from Justin Laskowski (Warman, Sask.) that brought Pomeroy home. Cory Jones (Leduc, Alta.) then hit a single to right field, scoring Laskowski and making it 2-0 for Canada after one inning of play. 

Canada scored their final run in the bottom of the second when Tyler Pauli (Mitchell, Ont.) drew a walk and Laskowski hit another triple to right field, scoring Pauli. 

The Canadian pitching staff delivered an impressive performance, allowing only one hit in twenty-two plate appearances by the Saskatoon Jacks. Steven Normand (Calgary, Alta.) started strong, striking out seven in three innings. Tyler Randerson (New Hamburg, Ont.) took over in the fourth, striking out four in two innings, and Riley Manion (Napanee, Ont.) closed with three strikeouts in the final two innings. 

Game 2: Canada vs. New Zealand Black Sox 

The New Zealand Black Sox started aggressively, scoring two runs off a wild pitch and a passed ball, taking an early 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, Jeff Lyons (Appin, Ont.) singled to left field, followed by Patrick Burns (Saskatoon, Sask.) reaching on an error allowing Lyons to score and put Canada on the board. 

Canada continued to fight back in the third and fourth innings. Mason McKay (Tavistock, Ont.) drew a walk, and Laskowski singled to right field. With runners on first and third, Scott Nehaj (Maple Ridge, B.C.) doubled to center field, scoring McKay and narrowing the gap to 3-2. In the bottom of the fourth, McKay hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Keagan Arcand (Morinville, Alta.) to score and tie the game. 

However, New Zealand regained the lead in the top of the seventh. The first two batters reached base on a single and an error. The first run was scored on a fielder’s choice, followed by a two-run double, making it 6-3. New Zealand added their final run on a passed ball. 

Randerson started for Canada, pitching three innings with four strikeouts, two walks, and two hits allowed. Manion provided strong middle relief, shutting down New Zealand for two innings with two strikeouts. Normand closed for Canada, striking out two, walking one, and allowing two hits in two innings. 

Team Canada is set to play two games today, July 6. The first game starts at 9:15 am CST against the Saskatoon Angels, followed by a 4:00 pm game against the Hill United Chiefs.