News

JUAN DOLIO, D.R. — The Canadian Junior National Team has arrived in the Dominican Republic for the 2025 Fall Instructional League Camp, running from October 19-29.

The 10-day program will feature a series of games against MLB-affiliated Dominican academies, providing Canada’s top 18U athletes with valuable international experience and development opportunities against elite professional competition.

Junior National Team 11–2 Milwaukee Brewers DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team closed out its 2025 Dominican Fall Instructional League schedule on a high note, earning an 11–2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in a weather-shortened game.

The Canadian offence came alive early, erupting for eight runs in the second inning and three more in the third before rain ended the contest after three frames. Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB) led the way with a pair of doubles and four RBIs, while Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB) added two hits, including a home run, and drove in three.

Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) and Kadin Armitage (Surrey, BC) each contributed a hit, walk, and stolen base, helping fuel the early surge.

On the mound, Damarcus Rideout-Carter (Brampton, ON) worked two innings, striking out four before Austin Blair (Victoria, BC) came in to deliver a scoreless third to wrap up the outing.

Despite the shortened finish, the victory capped off a productive camp for the Juniors, who used their time in the Dominican Republic to continue their development against top professional competition.

(T. Thierman, Z. MacDonald, E. Lascelles)

Junior National Team 0-0 Pittsburgh Pirates DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team’s second game of Monday’s doubleheader was cut short due to weather after just two innings of play against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Right-hander Calum Andersen (Calgary, AB) made his Junior National Team debut, working 1.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out one. The 15-year-old showed poise on the mound, navigating a pair of early baserunners and throwing 17 of his 30 pitches for strikes before the game was called.

Andersen benefited from a Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, AB) spectacular 2-out inning saving catch in left field that kept the Pirates off the board in the early on.

Offensively, the Juniors had a few chances to break through in limited action, with several hitters making hard contact before the contest was halted.

The Juniors will wrap up their Dominican Fall Instructional League schedule with one more game tomorrow.

(C. Andersen, M. Blain, K. Armitage)

Junior National Team 3–1 San Francisco Giants DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team opened their Monday doubleheader with a 3–1 win over the San Francisco Giants, backed by strong pitching and timely hitting in a well-rounded team effort.

Josh Mills (Leduc, AB) set the tone on the mound, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out two. Oscar Leah (Maple Ridge, BC) followed in relief, striking out three over 1.2 innings to help close out the victory.

At the plate, Aiden Kilshaw (Saskatoon, SK) led the offence with a pair of hits, while Sam Ellis (La Peche, QC) chipped in with a sacrifice fly. Cohen Miller (Calgary, AB) and Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) each drove in runs to support the Canadian attack, with Will Henderson (Mississauga, ON), Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC), and Jalen Jacob (Richmond Hill, ON) also finding their way on base to create constant pressure throughout the ballgame.

The Juniors will look to carry the momentum into game two of the doubleheader as they continue their Dominican Fall Instructional League schedule.

(J. Mills, A. Kilshaw, C. Miller)

Junior National Team 5–12 San Francisco Giants DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team was back in action after four consecutive rainouts, continuing its Dominican Fall Instructional League schedule with a 12–5 setback to the San Francisco Giants. Despite the result, the Juniors showed resilience and steady offensive production throughout the ballgame.

Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) got the start and worked 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two. Logan Cummins (Mississauga, ON) and Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, ON) followed in relief, combining for four innings of work before Noah Powell (Toronto, ON) closed out the contest.

At the plate, the Canadians collected seven hits, highlighted by doubles from Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB), and Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON). Thierman also added an RBI, while Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC) chipped in another run-scoring hit. Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, AB) and Omidi each stole a base, continuing to spark the Canadian offence with aggressive play.

The Juniors are scheduled to work out on Sunday at the Milwaukee Brewers Dominican Republic Complex before returning to play on Monday with a doubleheader.

(D.Tregaskis, T. Thierman, M. Blain)

Junior National Team 4–2 Los Angeles Dodgers DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team picked up its first win of the 2025 Fall Instructional League Camp, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–2 behind quality pitching and timely hitting.

Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, ON) set the tone on the mound, working three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out two. Dominic Fiorenza (Bolton, ON) followed with three solid innings of relief, striking out three while navigating late-inning traffic to seal the win.

Offensively, Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) drove in the second run of the ballgame with an RBI single that gave Canada an early 2–0 lead. The big blow came in the fifth, when Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) delivered a two-RBI single that helped the Juniors regain control heading into the late innings.

Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, AB) and Will Henderson (Mississauga, ON) sparked momentum on the bases with a pair of stolen bags as Canada jumped out early and never looked back.

The Juniors will return to action on Wednesday against the New York Mets as the Fall Instructional League Camp schedule continues.

(R. Omidi, J. Sabourin, R. Whiteford)

Junior National Team 0-3 Los Angeles Angels DFIL

The Canadian Junior National Team opened the 2025 Fall Instructional League Camp with a competitive 3–0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, highlighted by a strong showing on the mound and sound defense.

Cole Dorland (Langley, BC) impressed in his start, tossing four innings without allowing an earned run while striking out one and limiting the Angels to just two hits. Will Zielinski (Victoria, BC) followed with a scoreless inning of relief, while Lucas St-Laurent (Ascot Corner, QC) closed out the contest with two innings of work before rain took over in the middle of the eighth.

Offensively, Jalen Jacob (Richmond Hill, ON), Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC), Will Henderson (Mississauga, ON), and Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB) each collected hits, with Henderson and MacDonald also adding stolen bases to spark the Canadian attack.

The Juniors will continue their Dominican Fall Instructional League (DFIL) schedule with another single-game day against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow.

(C. Dorland, M. Blain, W. Zielinski)