CHARLOTTETOWN – The early games on Day 2 of the Canada Games saw why Ontario, Québec and British Columbia are considered the heavy favourites to leave the Games with medals around their necks.
Benson Merritt (Smithville, ON) walked a fine line against Nova Scotia, walking seven in a complete game effort, but he was always able to escape any major damage holding them to two runs on four hits in a 7-2 victory for Ontario.
Merritt also registered 10 strikeouts, including retiring both Jake Pelham (Halifax, NS) and Scott Lee (Cole Harbour, NS) on strikes three times.
Greg Densem (Toronto, ON) led the way offensively for Ontario, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI. Sean Bignall (Brampton, ON) also hit a home run and drove in a pair of runs in the victory.
Québec meanwhile made short work of New Brunswick, with the help of a nine run third inning to earn a 13-1 mercy win.
Jean-Sébastien Pouliot (Beauport, QC) threw all five innings for Québec, allowing only one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out three. Alexandre Villeneuve (St-Jean Chrysostome, QC) and Alexandre Béland (Trois-Rivières, QC) each drove in a pair of runs.
British Columbia also flexed its muscle this morning, in particular Darren Kolk (Duncan, BC) and Mike Hole (Vancouver, BC) both went 2-for-4 and each drove in three runs in an 11-2 win over Prince Edward Island.
David Otterman (Qualicum Beach, BC) picked up the win for B.C., going five innings and allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on four hits and two walks while collecting nine strikeouts. Adam Masse (Langley, BC) threw two scoreless innings in relief, allowing only one base runner on a walk and struck out two P.E.I. hitters.
Finally in this morning action, Manitoba improved to 3-0 so far in the tournament by edging Alberta 3-2. All three Manitoba runs came in the first inning, including a Nick Drews (Eriksdale, MB) RBI double.
Shane Seddon (Winnipeg, MB) threw a complete game to earn the win, while Cole Stober (Hayes, AB) took the loss, tossing all six innings for Alberta.
To follow the 2009 Canada Games live on the web, click on the following link: http://www.baseball.ca/games/index_eng.cfm?content=schedule
