Second half action from Saturday determined who would be playing for the hardware on Sunday. At the PeeWee Championship from Victoria: Nova Scotia fell 11-3 to Ontario, but defeated B.C. 8-6; Quebec defeated Victoria 10-4; Alberta topped Newfoundland & Labrador 4-3; and Manitoba defeated P.E.I. 7-3. Game notes from these games included: Nova Scotia right fielder/pitcher T. Hall went 2-for-3, with 2 runs scored, an impressive 6 RBI, propelling his team passed B.C. Quebec right fielder M. Marcoux was 1-for-4, with 4 RBI, helping his team defeat Victoria. Manitoba right fielder K. Demers helped his team passed P.E.I with a 2 RBI performance. Late Saturday Bantam Boys games showcased: Alberta slugging their way to a win over New Brunswick 16-2; Manitoba topping Newfoundland12-4; Quebec out-dueling P.E.I. 7-3; Ontario bettering New Brunswick 9-2; Saskatchewan narrowly squeaking out a 3-2 win over Nova Scotia; and Windsor defeating B.C. 5-1. Highlights from those games were: Alberta starting pitcher Scott Gerun earned a complete game victory over New Brunswick, while helping his own cause with a lead off home run. Manitoba’s Elliot Desilets was 2-for-3, with 5 RBI in their win over Newfoundland/Labrador. Quebec’s Matthew Lightman earned the win over P.E.I., hurling three innings, and striking out three. Ontario’s Darnell Duckett smacked two home runs in a 2-for-3, 4 RBI performance. Nove Scotia pitcher Chris Stackhouse struck out 10 hitters in a notable performance against Saskatchewan. Windsor winning pitcher Brett VanPelt hurled a seven inning complete game, striking out seven in an impressive outing. Late third day Midget action from P.E.I witnessed Alberta having little difficulty with P.E.I., winning 10-2. Alberta first baseman Andrew Grafton went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored in a victory over P.E.I. Sunday Semi-Final Midget action will showcase Saskatchewan versus B.C., as well as the winner of New Brunswick and Quebec, who will take on Ontario. In late Sunday action from the Junior Championship in Guelph: Alberta beat Newfoundland & Labrador 4-3; Ontario shut out New Brunswick 5-0; and host Guelph kept Nova Scotia off the board, winning 3-0. Highlights from the games icluded: Ontario pitchers Curtis McCormick and Matthew Martinow, who combined to throw seven innings of shut out ball, allowing just three New Brunswick hits. Guelph Silvercreeks starting pitcher Luis Castillo hurled a no hitter versus Nova Scotia, not walking a hitter, and striking out 12. Sunday’s semi-finals will showcase Guelph take on Ontario, as well as Quebec versus Manitoba. At Sunday’s second half Senior games: Ontario 2 was shut out by New Brunswick 6-0; Manitoba narrowly topped Albera 6-5; and Saskatchewan outlasted Quebec 4-3. Game notes included: New Brunswick right fielder David Barr went 3-for-4, with an RBI in their win versus Ontario 2. Saskatchewan first baseman, Matt Gunning, and catcher Dillon Okrane each has 2 RBI in their win over Quebec. Sunday’s semi-finals will feature Saskatchewan versus Ontario, and New Brunswick taking on the winner of Pool B. For complete schedules, standings, and other information, please visit www.baseball.ca and follow the Championship link to your desired age category.
National Championship Week continued, Friday, with a number of important games being played. In late Day 1 PeeWee Boys action, B.C. came out on top 5-1 in their match-up with Newfoundland & Labrador. Winning pitcher Kyle Joel hurled a complete game four hitter, allowing just one run, while striking out 10. At the plate, Joel also provided the requisite offence, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI. In Day 2 action from the Bantam Boys tournament: Alberta improved their record to 2-0, defeating Ontario 8-5; Newfoundland & Labrador fell 17-0 to P.E.I.; and Québec out-duelled B.C. 6-5. Alberta’s Dan Wiun was 2-for-3, helping pitcher Tom Muhlenthalev receive a win versus Ontario. In addition, notable performance from Thursday Bantam Boys action included: Alberta pitcher Steven Inch, who struck out 17 Nova Scotia hitters in a 9-2 win. Ontario’s Kevin Nickel went 3-for-3, driving in five, with a third inning grand slam, and a solo homer in the fifth. Québec’s Anthony Marandola went 2-for-3 with a home run, and 4 RBI. B.C. winning pitcher Jason Gibson struck out 10 Manitoba hitters in four innings of work. New Brunswick starting pitcher Robert Gallant hurled a complete game shutout, helping his team narrowly inch passed Saskatchewan. Host Windsor’s Laszlo Horvath went 2-for-3, with 2 RBI, chipping in with a double, and a home run. At the Midget Boys Championship: B.C. defeated P.E.I. 7-2, improving their record to 2-0; Ontario also remained undefeated, topping Manitoba 7-2 and Newfoundland & Labrador 12-0, improving their record to 3-0 thus far; Saskatchewan shut out Nova Scotia 3-0; and Québec topped Alberta 11-5. Highlights from those games included: B.C. centre fielder Jordan Padrinao went 3-for-4 at the plate, with 4 RBI. Ontario third baseman Brandon Neuman was 2-for-3, with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored in a win versus Manitoba. In Ontario’s game against Newfoundland & Labrador, shortstop James Macklem went 2-for-3, with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Saskatchewan starting pitcher Sean Carrick tossed a complete game one hitter, striking out five, earning the win against Nova Scotia. Québec catcher Alexandre Gauthier was 3-for-3, with 3 RBI, and a run scored, helping his team hold off a late Alberta charge. In second day Senior action from Brandon: B.C. evened their record at 1-1, beating New Brunswick 6-1; and Ontario narrowly defeated Québec 5-3 B.C. first baseman Scott Nehaj stung New Brunswick pitching, going 2-for-3 at the plate, with 1 RBI, and 2 runs plated. Due to unfavourable weather conditions, Day 2 Junior action was postponed, Friday, to be resumed later in the day. Scores and highlights for those games will be reported in the second daily recap this evening. For more information, please visit www.baseball.ca and follow the Championship link on the left hand side of the page.
A number of vital games took place during Friday’s later match-ups. Day 2 action from the PeeWee Boys Tournament, hosted by Victoria, B.C. showcased: Victoria defeating P.E.I. 6-5; Québec improving to 3-0, beating New Brunswick 12-5; Ontario remaining atop Pool B with as 2-0 record, after topping Newfoundland & Labrador 8-1; Saskatchewan beating Manitoba 14-4; and B.C. defeating Alberta 13-2, sitting at 2-1 in Pool B. Notable performances from the PeeWee Championship included: Victoria’s Luke Hawkins was 3-for-3 at the dish, starting a seventh inning rally with a single in the final frame, and sparking his team’s offence passed P.E.I. Ontario's Michael Landsdowne went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Aaron Palmer smacked a two-run homer. Saskatchewan starting pitcher Nolan Dezotell hurled all five innings, and ripped a 2 RBI double in a win versus Manitoba. B.C. smashed four home runs off Alberta pitching, as Jarod Bartnik, Mitchell Harrington, Justin Sawatzky, and Lucas Cops all went yard in the win. Friday Bantam action witnessed: host Windsor shutting out Manitoba 10-0, and topping Newfoundland & Labrador 8-2; Saskatchewan defeating Alberta 10-7; Nova Scotia evening their record at 1-1, decisively winning their game13-7 against rival New Brunswick; Québec keeping their unbeaten streak alive, beating Manitoba 4-0; and B.C. taking care of P.E.I. 11-0. Highlights from the games included: Windsor catcher Larry Balkwill picked off two would-be base runners, and erased three base stealers in the host’s win over Newfoundland & Labrador. In addition, teammate Tanner Nivins belted two home runs, going 2-for-3, with 5 RBI in the game. Saskatchewan’s Tyler McWhirter went 2-for-4 at the plate, hitting the game winning home run, and driving in six runs versus Alberta. Nova Scotia scored 12 runs in the sixth inning, fighting back from a 7-1 deficit, to overcome New Brunswick. Québec starting pitcher Etienne Nollet pitched a complete game shutout, striking out four in a win against Manitoba. B.C starter Michael Ellis fanned 10 P.E.I. hitters in just four innings in a mercy-rule shortened game. In later Midget action, B.C. defeated New Brunswick 6-5; P.E.I. inched passed Québec 2-1; and Manitoba out lasted Nova Scotia 7-5. In their win over New Brunswick, B.C. catcher Carson Vitale was 2-for-3, with 3 RBI, and a run scored. Friday Junior games, postponed due to rain, saw New Brunswick come away with an 11-3 win over Saskatchewan. Fredericton Leon’s Vikings right fielder Mike Burns, representing New Brunswick, provided the offensive spark, going 2-for-4 at the plate, with 2 RBI, and a run scored. In other Junior action: Québec shut out B.C. 8-0, but later fell 2-1 to Ontario; Newfoundland & Labrador failed to score, dropping 10-0 to Nova Scotia; Manitoba defeated Alberta 8-2; and B.C. out-slugged New Brunswick 13-12. At the Senior Men’s Championship, Ontario 2 improved to 2-0, defeating the MSBL Host Brandon 4-1. Wining pitcher Victor Simon pitched a complete game six hitter, surrendering just one earned run, helping Ontario 2 move atop the Pool B standings. In other Senior action from Friday’s second half: Alberta pushed themselves ahead of Nova Scotia 9-7; Ontario improved to 3-0, defeating Manitoba 13-7; and host Brandon dropped to 0-3, losing 7-2 to New Brunswick. For more information, please visit the Championship link on Baseball Canada’s website, at www.baseball.ca
Five Championships kicked off Thursday: PeeWee Boys hosted by Victoria, B.C.; Bantam Boys in Windsor, ON; Midget Boys from Summerside, P.E.I.; Junior held by Guelph, ON; and Senior from Brandon, MB. At the PeeWee Boys Championship, Ontario was victorious in their game against B.C., winning 9-5. Ontario pitcher D. Broll gave up just five runs over seven innings, striking out 10, for the complete game victory. In addition, Broll helped his own cause at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI. In Bantam Boys action, Alberta out-duelled Nova Scotia 9-2, while Ontario defeated Saskatchewan 6-0. At the Midget Boys Championship, Nova Scotia got off to a solid start, defeating Newfoundland/Labrador 9-1. In other Midget Boys action, New Brunswick beat Québec 2-0 in a nine-inning nail biter, while Ontario out-matched Saskatchewan 14-4. New Brunswick pitchers Duncan Cronk and Ben Higgins teamed up to allow just one hit each, fanning eight, and not allowing a run, while Québec starter Jean-Francois Ricard hurled an impressive eight innings, surrendering just three hits, striking out seven, and not allowing a single run for the no-decision. As well, British Columbia began their bid for the Junior Championship title by defeating Saskatchewan 7-4, while Manitoba topped host Guelph 6-3. Representing B.C., Victoria Jr. Mavericks’ third baseman Joey Roberts went 2-for-2 in the contest, scoring once, and driving in two. In addition, Québec defeated New Brunswick 11-1 in six innings, highlighted by designated hitter Jimmy Durette, who was 3-for-4, with 3 RBI in the game. In Senior action from Brandon, MB, Ontario got off to a hot start, beating Alberta 16-0, in a mercy rule-shortened, five-inning game. Ontario left fielder Dave Mastrodicasa was 3-for-4 at the plate, with 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Ontario pitchers Steven Carp and Derek Papp combined to surrender just two hits while striking out five. In other Senior play, Saskatchewan fell 3-0 to New Brunswick, while Nova Scotia shut out Québec 4-0. New Brunswick right fielder David Barr was 3-for3 in the game, driving in all three runs, and helping pitcher Josh Collins get the win. Collins gave up just two hits, no walks, and struck out five in an impressive outing. Nova Scotia pitcher Jason Bailey pitched a complete game shut-out, surrendering just five hits, walking just one, and striking out five. For more information regarding Baseball Canada’s Championships, please visit the Championships link at http://www.baseball.ca/eng_doc.cfm?DocID=145
The Honourable Michael D. Chong, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Opening Ceremonies of the Junior National Tournament, hosted by Guelph, ON. Baseball Canada Vice-President Linda Lewis, Guelph MPP Liz Sandals, Guelph Mayor Kate Quarrie, and Tournament Chairman Larry Pearson, accompanied Mr. Chong, who was the Chief Information Officer for the National Hockey League prior to his 2004 election. In the game that followed, Guelph defeated Newfoundland/Labrador 3-1 in a well-pitched, defensive game. Winning pitcher Jason Muller hurled a complete game five hitter, surrendering just five hits, and striking out seven. In addition, Guelph catcher Mike Lajoie was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in the game. In other Junior action: Alberta narrowly edged Nova Scotia 6-4; and Ontario defeated Saskatchewan 2-1 in a fine display of pitching prowess. Highlights from those games include: St. Thomas Tomcats’ pitcher Craig Bate, representing Ontario, hurled a complete game three hitter, allowing just one unearned run, while striking out 11, and earning the win. On the losing end, Regina Athletics’ starter Todd Glemser, representing Saskatchewan, fanned nine, giving up two runs, of which only one was earned. Day 1 PeeWee Boys games saw: Québec defeat Saskatchewan 18-4 in a shortened five-inning game; host Victoria out-slugging Manitoba 17-3; P.E.I. narrowly topping New Brunswick 5-4; and Alberta doubling up on Nova Scotia 12-6 Notable performances included: Québec’s N. Hazma went 2-for-2, with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored, in a win against Sask. Victoria left fielder, Matthew Ney, and centre fielder, Alex Dumais, both contributed with 4 RBI apiece in their game against Manitoba. P.E.I. first baseman C. MacNeill went 2-for-4, with 3 RBI, helping his team come away with a win. In Day 1Bantam Boys action: Newfoundland and Labrador fell 15-1 to Québec; B.C. had little trouble with Manitoba, winning 12-1; and New Brunswick squeaked out a 1-0 win over Saskatchewan. In later first day action from the Midget Championship: B.C. edged Alberta 6-2; Manitoba shut out Newfoundland and Labrador 9-0; and New Brunswick out slugged P.E.I. 7-0. Turning in impressive performances: B.C. starting pitcher Matthew Atkinson hurled 5.3 innings, striking out eight, and surrendering just one earned run on four hits for the win. Reliever Russell Taylor finished the remainder of the game without giving up a hit or run Manitoba catcher Kiel Armstrong turned in an impressive effort, going 2-for-4 at the dish, driving in two runs. New Brunswick right fielder Dan Reid was 2-for-4 in the contest, with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored. The second part of Day 1 at the Senior Men’s Championship saw: Ontario 2 defeat B.C. 6-4; Saskatchewan beating host Brandon 5-4 in an extra-inning affair; and Québec winning 5-1 in their match versus Alberta. Highlights from these games include: Ontario 2 first baseman Shaun McGuire’s clutch 3 RBI performance, sparking the offence. Saskatchewan starting pitcher Ryan Koback pitched seven innings in the tight game, giving up just two hits and three runs, turning the ball over to team mate Dave Morari, who came in to pitch the eighth and take the win. Québec designated hitter Nicolas Matte went 2-for-4, driving in two runs, helping to alleviate Alberta pressure. For more information on Baseball Canada’s Championships, please follow the Championship link on www.baseball.ca to your desired Championship.
KISSIMMEE, FL – Ryan Radmanovich (Calgary, Alta.) was 3-for-3 with a homerun, a double, three RBI and two runs scored to lead Baseball Canada’s national senior team to a 6-3 win over the United States, today in the team’s final tune-up for the America’s Olympic Qualifier. After the U.S. took an early 2-0 in the first inning, Radmanovich cut that lead in half with a solo shot to right field in the fourth inning. However, Canada did most of its damage in a five-run fifth inning when shortstop Kevin Nicholson (Vancouver, B.C.), Radmanovich’s regular season team-mate with the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots hit a one-out bases loaded double to right-centre field to score Mike Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) and Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) and give Canada it’s first lead of the game at 3-2. The next batter, Radmanovich, took the first pitch he saw from American reliever Nick Adenhard deep to left-centre for a two-run double of his own and a 5-2 Canadian lead. Pierre Luc Laforest Hull (Québec) added an RBI single to left to cap off the scoring in the inning, which saw Canada send nine batters to the plate. For the second straight day, Canada’s bullpen was virtually untouchable, pitching scoreless ball for the final five innings in the shortened seven inning exhibition affair – Its only blemish being a Bryan LaHair solo homerun off the scoreboard in right centre field given up by Mike Johnson (Edmonton, Alta.) in the fifth. Mike Kusiewicz (Ottawa, Ont.), who was credited with the win, Chris Mears (Victoria, B.C.) and T.J. Burton (Ottawa, Ont.) also pitched in relief of starter Eric Cyr (Montréal, Qué.). Saunders and Boucher were both 1-for-3 with one run scored while Jeremy Ware (Guelph, Ont.) was also 1-for-3. Canada will travel to Havana Thursday afternoon and will begin their quest for a second straight berth at the Olympic Games when they open their Olympic Qualifying schedule against the United States Saturday at 9 p.m. EST. Box Score Schedule Roster
KISSIMMEE, Fl – Baseball Canada announced, today, the addition of right-handed pitcher Chris Begg (Uxbridge, Ont.) to its roster for the 2006 Americas Olympic Qualifier. The 6’4”, 195-pound 22-year-old is 12-10 with a 3.53 ERA with the Connecticut Defenders of the Double-A Eastern League this season, his fourth with the San Francisco Giants affiliate. Begg, a 2003 Eastern League All-Star, will be making his fourth appearance with a national team program after having represented Canada at the 2003 Olympic Qualifier, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the 2005 CONCEBE Baseball Regional Olympic Qualifier and most recently at the World Baseball Classic. Undrafted, Begg took the back door into the Minor League ranks. After playing NCAA baseball for the Niagara Purple Eagles where he won the 2001 Metro Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Year award, Begg played for three separate independent teams. He was eventually signed by the Giants and he began to produce immediately in the minors by going 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in his first season with the Navigators. Begg’s performance at Connecticut (formerly Norwich)earned him a spot in the 2003 Arizona Fall League and enough notice from Canadian officials to make the 2004 Canadian Olympic Team. DRAFT HISTORY: Signed by the independent Johnstown Johnnies of the Frontier League in June, 2001 - Signed by the independent Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs of the Northeast League in June, 2002 - Signed by the independent St. Paul Saints of the Northern League in June, 2003 - Purchased by the San Francisco Giants July 9, 2003 Complete Roster Schedule
KISSIMMEE, Fl – Baseball Canada’s national senior team was edged 4-2 today in a tight exhibition game against the U.S. national team as both squads prepare for the 2006 COPABE Americas Olympic Qualifier next week. Canada out-hit the Americans 8-6, but stranded nine runners while the Americans hit the ball hard to produce three of their four runs behind two solo-homeruns and a triple. After Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) drove in Pierre Luc Laforest with a single to right field in the top-half of the second inning, U.S. right fielder Bryan LaHair hit a 420-foot homerun off of Canadian starter Mike Meyers (London, Ont.) to tie the game at 1-1 going into the third. The Americans scored twice more in the third inning thanks to a solo-shot to left field from shortstop Brandon Wood and an RBI-groundout by third baseman Mike Kinkade that scored centerfielder Skip Schumaker from third base. U.S designated hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia tripled off the wall in straight-away centre with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning to send Allen home from first base for the fourth American run. Canadian designated hitter/right fielder Jeremy Ware (Guelph, Ont.) drove a solo bomb over the wall in left field to cut the lead in half midway through the eighth inning but the Canucks would get no closer. Second baseman Matt Rogelstad (New Westminster, B.C.) singled and third baseman Emerson Frostad (Vancouver, B.C.) doubled to lead-off the ninth inning, but American closer Henry Owens stuck out the next two batters and induced a fly-ball to left to end the game. Canada got an impressive showing out of its bullpen as Cory Stuart (Surrey, B.C.), Michel Simard (Charlesbourg, Qué.), Jonathan Lockwood (Toronto, Ont.) and Brett Gray (Petrolia, Ont.) combined to allow only one earned run behind three hits and no walks in the final five innings of play. Canada’s final tune-up before heading to the Olympic Qualifier, which begins Aug. 25 in Havana, Cuba, comes Wednesday against the United States. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. EST. Box Score
Québec took home the 2006 Baseball Canada Cup Bronze Medal title, while B.C. came away with a third place finish at the Bantam Girls Championship. At the Cup, after falling to Ontario 2-1 in the day’s first semi final game, Québec regrouped to defeat New Brunswick 11-1, and claim the tournament’s Bronze Medal. Québec designated hitter Luis Argumedes went 3-for-4, with 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored in the victory. New Brunswick reached the Bronze Medal match after falling to B.C. 7-4 in the second semi-final, in which B.C. third baseman Brett Lawrie turned in a 3-for-4 performance. In other Sunday Cup action, Nova Scotia beat Newfoundland/Labrador 3-1; Manitoba came out on top 11-7 against rival Alberta, and Saskatchewan out-slugged P.E.I. 22-11, all in consolation placement games. Highlights from the games included: Manitoba shortstop Mike Mutcheson was 4-for-5, with 1 RBI, and scored twice in a tight battle with Alberta. Saskatchewan’s outfield, left fielder Michael Jordan, centre fielder Ryan Stevenson, and right fielder Braden Baumi, combined for an impressive 12 RBI, while leadoff hitter Jon Cotter scored six times. For more information, please visit www.baseball.ca/cup/ In Bantam Girls final day competition, B.C. took home the bronze medal after topping Manitoba 16-6, who lost earlier to Silver Medal winners Saskatchewan 6-5 in the second semi final game. British Columbia first baseman Katelyn Bedwell went 3-for-3, with 2 RBI to help her team solidify third place. B.C. fell to eventual Gold Medal winners Alberta 9-7 in the day’s first semi-final game. Alberta third baseman Meagan Cornellson went 2-for-3, with 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored in the win. In placement games, Québec defeated Ontario 7-1, and Newfoundland and Labrador beat host Grande Prairie 21-13. Highlights from those games include Québec second baseman Sara-Kim Sergerie, who went 3-for-4, as well as Newfoundland/Labrador pitcher/shortstop/catcher Michelle Rideout, who turned in a 3-for-5, 5 RBI performance. For more information, please visit www.baseball.ca/bantamgirls/
Ontario captured the 2006 Baseball Canada Cup, while Alberta took home the Bantam Girls Championship crown, defeating B.C. and Saskatchewan, respectively, in gold medal action. Ontario was victorious in their bid for the 2006 Baseball Canada Cup, defeating B.C. 4-2 in the Gold Medal Game. Ontario centre fielder Leslie Williams was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI in the game, while pitchers Cameron Gray and Corey Pappel combined to surrender just six hits and two runs, striking out nine. B.C. catcher Warren Demoskoff and second baseman Kyle Prevett both contributed with 2-for-4 performances in the loss. For more information on the 2006 Baseball Canada Cup, please visit www.baseball.ca/cup/ Alberta overcame a strong Saskatchewan team 7-5 in an exciting extra inning match-up, prevailing with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Alberta starting pitcher Meagan Cornellson hurled all eight innings for the complete game victory, surrendering just six hits, five runs, and striking out five. Saskatchewan centre fielder/third baseman Sarah Bachart went 2-for-4, with 2 RBI, while pitcher Melissa Armstrong contributed with a solid five inning start, fanning 10 hitters, and helping her team take home the Silver Medal. For complete tournament results and box scores, please visit www.baseball.ca/bantamgirls/ Congratulations to all team who competed, and special thanks to both Grande Prairie and Medicine Hat for hosting their particular tournaments.
