David Corrente (Chatham Ontario) crushed a three-run homerun to straight away centre field to cap off a four-run Canadian first inning to put the Canadians out in front.
Starter Chris Begg (Uxbridge, Ont.), who arrived in Havana just one day ago managed well with the lead, striking out seven Brazilians with only one walk and five hits allowed. Begg, whose only blemish was allowing a solo homerun to
Canada added a pair of insurance markers in the eighth inning when Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.) hit a ball to the right side that skipped off of Sato’s glove and into right field, allowing Emerson Frostad (Calgary, Alta.) and Mike Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) to come around to score.
Brazil mounted a slight comeback in the ninth thanks to a two-run double by designated hitter Wilson Watanose with one out. However, Watanose was thrown out by left fielder Mike Saunders trying to stretch the extra base hit into a triple. Canadian Closer Chris Mears then got first baseman Ronoldo Ono to ground out to Clapp to end the game.
Mike Kusiewicz (Ottawa, Ont.), who only faced one batter in the game, also played a pivotal role in the game, striking out Brazilian Luis Camargo with the bases loaded to end top of the eighth inning.
Canada now advances to the second round of the tournament, where they will play a second round robin series against the four teams that advanced in the opposite pool.
Teams carry over their records against teams who have advanced into the second round. Game against teams who have not made it through will be wiped off the slate. The teams with the two best records following the second round will earn berths into the 2008 Olympic Games in
Canada has the day-off tomorrow and will play its first second round game Friday. Second round match-ups have not yet been determined.
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