Prince Albert, Sask. - Team Canada concluded the preliminary round of the WBSC Softball Men’s World Cup B with a commanding 7-0 victory over Israel. On July 14, they advance to the playoffs, facing Singapore at 1:00 pm CST (3:00 pm EDT). 

In a six-inning game, Canada’s offense ignited in the third inning, scoring five runs. Jordan Pomeroy (Placentia, N.L.) started the rally with a leadoff single to right field, advancing to third on Nick White's (Truro, N.S.) single up the middle. Scott Nehaj (Maple Ridge, B.C.) reached first on a catcher's interference call, loading the bases. Jeff Lyons (Appin, Ont.) then delivered a two-run double, putting Canada on the board. 

Nehaj scored on a groundout, and with two outs, Dallas Kipfer (Kitchener, Ont.) hit a double to left field, bringing Lyons home. Tyler Pauli (Mitchell, Ont.) capitalized on a fielding error, driving in Kipfer for the final run of the inning, making it 5-0 for Canada. 

Canada added two more runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Kipfer hit a deep sacrifice fly to right field in the fifth, scoring Lyons to extend the lead to 6-0. Pomeroy capped the scoring in the sixth with a solo home run to center field, sealing the victory. 

The pitching staff was stellar, striking out 14 of the 20 batters and allowing only 2 hits. Steven Norman (Calgary, Alta.) started in the circle, pitching 4 innings, striking out 9, walking none, and allowing 2 hits. Tyler Randerson (New Hamburg, Ont.) provided relief, pitching 2 innings, striking out 5, walking 2, and allowing no hits. 

Box Score: Canada 7, Israel 0. 

Canada will face Singapore today, July 14, at 1:00 pm CST (3:00 pm EDT) in the playoffs. Should Canada win, they will play again at 7:00 pm CST (9:00 pm EDT) against the loser of the New Zealand vs. Argentina match.