Santiago, Panama-Australian starter Ryan Searle allowed only three hits, while his teammates slugged-out eleven, as Canada was shutout 7-0 by the Aussies at the 39th IBAF World Cup. Although this was Canada’s first game in round two, their record now stands at 2-2 as round one results against teams also advancing to round two counts towards your overall record.
“We just didn’t come to play today and that’s the bottom line,” said Canadian Manager Ernie Whitt. “It’s very disappointing. When you get three hits you’re not going to win a lot of games.”
Searle went 7 1/3 innings for the Aussies, striking out six and only walking one batter which turned out to be the last batter he faced before exiting the game.
“He threw strikes,” said Whitt when speaking of Searle’s performance on the mound. “He was ahead of our hitters all day long and you have to tip your cap to him.”
“He was aggressive in the zone and we weren’t.”
Australia jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning off Canadian starter Nick Bucci (Sarnia, ON). After an error and walk, a single to centerfield brought in the first run of the ballgame.
Bucci struggled with a high pitch count and was removed from the game in the third inning after suffering discomfort in his throwing arm.
“Bucci didn’t have his best stuff today,” explained Whitt. “It started with a misplayed ground ball and then a lack of communication in the outfield on another play. It just wasn’t a sharp game for us at all.”
Australia tacked on another run in the third inning by virtue of a solo homerun to right field before scoring three more in the fourth inning. Before the top of the sixth was complete, the Aussies had a commanding 7-0 lead.
“The intensity level wasn’t there today as it should’ve been,” added Whitt. “We have to regroup and come back out ready tomorrow.”
Jimmy Van Ostrand (Richmond, BC) recorded Canada’s first hit in the fourth inning, while Cole Armstrong (Surrey, BC) and Tim Smith (Toronto, ON) each hit doubles later in the game to account for Canada’s three hits.
Jay Johnson (Sussex Corner, BC) was effective coming out of the Canadian bullpen as he pitched perfect innings in the seventh and eighth frames, while fanning three.
Canada will now turn its attention to a match-up with South Korea tomorrow at 7:30pm CT in Chitre. South Korea dropped a 5-1 decision to the Netherlands today so Canada can expect to be in a battle tomorrow evening.
“The Koreans play a very fundamentally sound game,” said Whitt. “We need to bring some more intensity.”
“We’ll make some changes and see what happens.”
Notes: Andrew Albers (North Battleford, SK) will start for Canada tomorrow against South Korea at Rico Cedeno Stadium… Follow all of Canada’s games LIVE by visiting: www.ibaf.org... Fans can also watch select games from the World Cup on the internet by visiting: www.liveibaf.tv …As always, for the latest info on Team Canada, please follow Baseball Canada on Twitter (www.twitter.com/baseballcanada).
