Saskatoon, Sask. – On the second day of the Men’s International Super Series, Team Canada secured a 5-4 victory over the Saskatoon Angels before narrowly losing 1-0 to the Hill United Chiefs. 

Game 1: Canada vs. Saskatoon Angels 

Team Canada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Jordan Pomeroy (Placentia, N.L) sparked the offense with a triple to right field, followed by Nick White’s (Truro, N.S) bunt, allowing Pomeroy to score. Jeff Lyons (Appin, Ont.)  then hit a single to left field, bringing in White and giving Canada an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. 

Canada continued to build their lead with a run in both the third and fourth innings. In the third, Cory Jones (Leduc, Alta.) doubled to drive in Pomeroy, and in the fourth, Tyler Pauli (Mitchell, Ont.) launched a solo home run to center field. 

The Saskatoon Angels mounted a comeback in the sixth inning, tying the game at 4-4 with a three-run double and an RBI single. However, Canada quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Pomeroy’s single to center field drove in Pauli, sealing a 5-4 victory. 

On the mound, Justin Schofield (Grand Pre, N.S.) started strong for Canada, pitching three innings with four strikeouts, one walk, and only one hit allowed. Ty Sebastian (Brussels, Ont.) followed with an impressive middle relief performance, striking out all six batters he faced over two innings. Riley Manion (Napanee, Ont.) closed out the game, pitching the final two innings with three strikeouts, two walks, and allowing three hits for four runs. 

Game 2: Canada vs. Hill United Chiefs 

The second game was a defensive battle from start to finish. Hill United's first scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the first, but Canada’s defense held firm as Brett Larson (Irma, Alta.) threw out a runner attempting to steal second. 

In the bottom of the second, Hill United hit a triple to left field with one out, but Canada's defense stayed strong, with the next two batters grounding out to Kris Walushka (Victoria, B.C) to end the threat. 

Canada applied pressure in the top of the third inning. Dallas Kipfer (Kitchener, Ont.) singled, and Walushka advancing him to second with a bunt. Mason McKay (Tavistock, Ont.) then laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners, but Canada remained scoreless. 

Hill United finally broke through in the fifth inning, scoring the game's only run on a passed ball after a double and a single. Canada’s defense managed to escape further damage with a caught fly ball by Patrick Burns (Saskatoon, Sask.), who threw out a runner at second for a double play, followed by a strikeout by Manion. 

Tyler Randerson (New Hamburg, Ont.) started for Canada, pitching three innings with one strikeout, two walks, and three hits allowed. Manion continued in relief, pitching two innings with two strikeouts, three hits, and one run allowed. Steven Norman (Calgary, Alta.) closed the game, striking out two and allowing one hit in the final inning. 

Team Canada looks to bounce back today, July 7, at 11:15 am CST against the New York Gremlins, aiming to secure another victory in the series.