PRINCE GEORGE- Canada is off to a 2-0 start at the 2011 World Baseball Challenge in Prince George, BC. The Canadian entry is part of a 6-team field that includes: Bahamas, Cuba, Chinese Taipei, the Beijing Tigers and Japan Toshiba Baseball.
Canada 13 Bahamas 7
On Sunday, Canada pounded out 15 hits to cruise to a 13-7 victory over the Bahamas.
In the first inning, with a runner on first, Greg Wallace (Nanaimo, BC) went deep with a homerun to put Canada in front 2-0. The homerun was one of two on the day as Jared Johnson (Kelowna, BC) added a solo homer in the 5th.
Leon Boyd (Vancouver, BC) provided a strong effort as he started on the mound and went 7 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned), on 9 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 7 batters.
Kevin Atkinson (White Rock, BC) had a strong day at the plate as he went 3-for-5, with a double, an RBI and also scored 3 runs.
Canada scored runs in all but two innings at the plate.
Canada 6 Beijing Tigers 2
Canada continued to produce offensively, as they had another 15 hit game in a 6-2 victory over the Beijing Tigers.
Three players hit homeruns including Greg Wallace, his second in as many games, Darren Doucette (Dartmouth, NS) and Mark Ellis (Maple Ridge, BC).
Canada scored twice in the opening frame off an RBI single from Charlie Strandlund (Victoria, BC), who later came around to score on a sac-fly from Ellis.
Starter Andrew Brock (Burnaby, BC) recorded the win as he threw 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk, while striking out 2 Tigers.
Wallace and Jerey Kral (Prince George, BC) paced the offence with three hits apiece.
Notes: Canada will put their unbeaten streak on the line against the powerful Cubans, who are also undefeated, sitting at 3-0, on Tuesday (July 12), 7pm PT at Citizen Field Park.
Follow all of the action from Prince George by visiting: http://worldbaseball.ca/
