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Junior National Team 3-2 Kansas City Royals DIL
 
The Junior National Team capped off the Fall Instructional League Camp on a high note with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals DIL team, sweeping the mini two-game series.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Royals put a run on the board in the bottom of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly, but the Junior National Team answered right back in the top of the third inning. Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, QC) led off with a walk, setting the stage for the Taye Thierman’s (Calgary, AB) tying RBI single.
 
Elliot Lascelles would give the Juniors the lead in the fourth with an RBI single to capitalize on a error by the Royals.
 
Austin Blair (Victoria, BC) and Walker Kokotailo (Surrey, BC) split the pitching duties early on, limiting the Royal’s offence to one run on four hits and striking out three.
 
The Royals managed to cut the lead down in the seventh, but the Canadian pitching and defense came through in the later innings, with reliever Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) delivering clutch outs to preserve the advantage.
 
Heading into the ninth with a narrow 3-2 lead, Schell navigated a last-minute Royals push, inducing a final comebacker to seal the game.
 
The team celebrated an end to their camp with a strong performance, promising great things as they look ahead to future Junior National Team events.

Junior National Team 6-4 Kansas City Royals DIL

The Junior National Team pulled off a thrilling 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals DIL. The team executed a late rally in the ninth inning, driven by well-timed walks, disciplined at-bats, and clutch scoring.

In the opening innings, both teams fought for dominance. Shane Brinham (North Vancouver, BC) started the game on the mound for the Juniors, holding the Royals scoreless through the early innings. The Royals broke the deadlock in the second, capitalizing on a steal at home to go up 1-0.

The Juniors offence would break the ice in the fourth with an RBI double by Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Perade, QC) to make it 1-1. The Royals would answer back in the bottom half, scoring one to re-take the lead of the ballgame.

The Juniors would tie it back up in the fifth, manufacturing a run after a Jordan Jacob (Maple, ON) leadoff single.

The game took a decisive turn in the top of the ninth as Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, AB) was hit by a pitch and the bases loaded up. A critical wild pitch brought Kitura home to tie the game 4-4, with Finn Hoeschen (North Vancouver, BC) scoring the go-ahead run moments later. Another Royals wild pitch allowed Jordan Jacob to score, securing a two-run cushion for the Juniors heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Nolan Weinmeyer (Sidney, BC) closed the game effectively, retiring the final three batters and cementing the Junior National Team’s victory. With relentless at-bats and heads-up baserunning, they pulled off a well-deserved 6-4 win in a hard-fought contest.

Junior National Team 3-5 St. Louis Cardinals DIL

In the second game of doubleheader action, the Canadian Junior National Team put up a gritty performance against the St. Louis Cardinals DIL.

The team struck early, with a Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) Sac-Fly after a leadoff triple by Phillip Cheong (Richmond Hill, ON) to give the Juniors the early lead. Despite Canada’s strong start, the Cardinals capitalized on key opportunities, moving ahead in the 2nd and 5th innings to establish a 4-1 lead.

Keegan Russell (Whitby, ON) and Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, ON) split the pitching duties on this one, combining for nine strikeouts and only one walk in the ballgame.

Canada continued to press, showing resilience late in the game. In the 9th inning, Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Perade, QC) and Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, AB) brought renewed energy to the lineup, adding another run and narrowing the gap.

The game concluded in a competitive 5-3 finish, with the Junior National Team demonstrating skill and perseverance until the final out.

(Phillip Cheong, Easton Kitura, Justin Rompré)

Junior National Team 3-3 Milwaukee Brewers DIL

In a tight and competitive game, the Junior National Team fell just short in the final innings against the Milwaukee Brewers' Dominican Instructional League squad, finishing with a close 3-3 draw.

The Juniors were the first to break the ice in the 6th inning, capitalizing on a Brewers error after a Phillip Cheong fielder’s choice to bring home two runs. Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) added to the lead with another RBI fielder’s choice in the 8th inning, making it 3-0.

However, Milwaukee retaliated in the bottom of the 8th with a three-run surge that leveled the score, including two RBIs off a single to capitalize on a Junior National Team error in left field.

Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) had a solid second start in the Fall Instructional League Camp, tossing four innings of scoreless ball and adding a pair of strikeouts to his total.

(Phillip Cheong, Adyn Schell, Sean Duncan)

Junior National Team 4-1 San Francisco Giants DIL

The Canadian Junior National Team jumped out to an early lead in their matchup against the San Francisco Giants’ DIL squad, taking a 4-1 victory.
 
Although the early innings were dominated by strong pitching, Canada capitalized on a series of walks and well-timed hits to get ahead. In the top of the third, Juniors broke the scoreless tie after a hit by pitch and series of walks brought Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB) home for the first run of the game.
 
Their momentum continued in the sixth inning with key singles by Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) and Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON), scoring two more to give Canada a 3-0 lead. Canada’s middle infielders combined for four hits and an RBI in the ballgame.
 
The Junior National Team continues to pitch extremely well at the Fall Instructional League Camp, holding off Giants DIL to one run. Starter Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, QC) tossed five scoreless innings to start off the ballgame, giving up only two hits while striking out five.
 
Max Poirier (Nanaimo, BC) put down the finishing touches on this one, picking up three strikeouts over his three innings of one run, not earned, on three hits and a walk.

(Elliot Lascelles, Mathis McKenna, Robert Omidi)

Junior National Team 4-3 San Diego Padres DIL
 
Junior National Team fends off late Padres DIL rally to secure a 4-3 win against the San Diego Padres DIL team.
 
The Padres manufactured a run in the third to take an early 1-0 lead against Junior National Team starter Walker Kokotailo (Surrey, BC). The right-hander allowed only two hits and a pair of walks, while striking out four over his four innings of work.
 
The breakthrough came in the fifth inning for the Canadians, as a well-executed bunt by Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, AB) and an RBI single by Nolan Weinmeyer (Sidney, BC) turned the game in Canada’s favor.
 
The Juniors would add to their lead via a Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) solo homer in the seventh that gave the team a 3-1 lead at the time.
 
Logan Forgie (Ottawa, ON) was the first out of the bullpen, tossing three and two third innings of scoreless ball against a tough Padres lineup.
 
After a defensive miscue sparked a Padres rally in the ninth, Canada’s defense held firm, as Weinmeyer induced a ground ball to third for the final out.

(Nolan Weinmeyer, Walker Kokotailo, Tim Piasentin)

Junior National Team 2-6 Pittsburgh Pirates
 
The Junior National Team got off to a strong start but fell short, 6-2, against the Pittsburgh Pirates DIL squad.
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Juniors took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 3rd inning. Finn Hoeschen (North Vancouver, BC) sparked the offense with a leadoff single, followed by a walk to Liam Booth (Agassiz, BC). Phillip Cheong (Richmond Hill, ON) delivered with an RBI single to bring in Hoeschen.
 
The Canadians would also capitalize on a defensive miscue by the Pirates shortstop later that inning, that allowed Booth to cross the plate, scoring the only other run for Canada in the game.
 
Austin Blair (Victoria, BC) toed the rubber for the Junior National Team to start and picked up a pair of strikeouts over his three and two-thirds innings of work. Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) took over on the mound the rest of the way, striking out three over his four innings of work.
 
The Juniors would put some pressure on late, including a no out, first and second situation in the top of the ninth but couldn’t mount a comeback, as Pirates DIL held on for the win.

Junior National Team 10-0 Toronto Blue Jays DIL
 
The Junior National Team secured a commanding 10-0 win to sweep the doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays DIL squad.
 
The Canadians came out swinging from the start, getting on the board early in the first inning, via a Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) RBI single bringing home Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) to take the lead.
 
The team continued to apply pressure in the second inning when a series of walks and a wild pitch allowed the Canadians to score, extending the lead to 2-0.
 
The Junior National Team broke the game wide open in the sixth inning with Jordan Jacob (Maple, ON) driving in two runs with a triple followed by a two-run home run by Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Perade, QC) to cap the five-run sixth.
 
On the mound, Shane Brinham (North Vancouver, BC) delivered an outstanding performance, allowing no runs through five innings while striking out eight. Luke Thomas (White Rock, BC) closed the back end of the ballgame, picking up three strikeouts over his four innings in relief.
 
A sacrifice fly by Quinn Carson (Oakville, ON) in the ninth, followed by a wild pitch that scored Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, QC), sealed the Junior National Team’s 10-0 victory.

Junior National Team 9-5 Blue Jays DIL

 The Junior National Team emerged victorious with a 9-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays DIL squad in the first game of doubleheader action.

The Juniors took advantage of early scoring opportunities and capitalized on defensive miscues, building a strong lead by the middle innings.

Key contributions came from Phillip Cheong (Richmond Hill, ON), who sparked the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with three walks at the top of the Canadian lineup.

Jordan Jacob (Maple, ON), also delivered a pair of timely doubles over his 2-for-4 performance at the dish, driving in a pair of runs for the Canadians.

Starter Keegan Russell (Whitby, ON) provided stability on the mound, holding off the Blue Jays’ attempts to rally. The right hander collected four strikeouts over his five innings of work. Will Hynes (Mississauga, ON) took over the pitching duties in the sixth, picking up six strikeouts over his three and two third innings of work.

(Keegan Russell, Phillip Cheong, Jordan Jacob)

Junior National Team 2-0 San Francisco Giants DIL

The Junior National Team took advantage of early opportunities to secure a 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants DIL.

The Canadians got on the board first when Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, AB) scored on a sacrifice fly by Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC), giving the Juniors an early lead.

Starting pitcher Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) delivered a dominant performance, striking out seven over five innings. The left-hander allowed just one walk, which he swiftly picked off, facing the minimum number of batters through his five frames.

An insurance run came late when Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, QC). Omidi finished the day perfect at the plate, going 1-for-1. Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, QC) went 1-for-2 picking up the only other hit for the Canadian offence. 

Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, ON) closed out the game with two scoreless innings in relief, sealing a well-rounded victory for the Junior National Team.

(Robert Omidi, Sean Duncan, Félix Gosselin)

Junior National Team 2-6 Boston Red Sox DIL

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Junior National Team displayed resilience, battling until the final out. Despite falling behind early, the Canadians remained focused and competitive throughout the ballgame but fell, 6-2.

The JNT pitching staff, led by Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, QC), showed composure, working efficiently through five innings and keeping the game within reach. Max Poirier (Nanaimo, BC) struck out six in the backend of the ballgame over his three innings of work.

The team's breakthrough came in the top of the ninth inning. After short-stop Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) reached base on an error, Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) delivered a timely double to center field, driving in Lascelles to put the team on the board.

 Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, QC) followed up with a clutch single to right field, bringing home Piasentin while collecting his third hit of the ballgame as he finished with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate.

The Juniors will be back in action tomorrow with a single game against the San Francisco Giants DIL squad.

(Mathis McKenna, Taye Thierman, Félix Gosselin)

Junior National Team 4-11 Chicago Cubs DIL

 The Junior National Team opened their Fall Instructional League Camp in the Dominican Republic with an 11-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs Dominican squad. Early offensive momentum saw Canada strike in the top of the first inning, with Phillip Cheong (Richmond Hill, ON) scoring on a Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) triple to give the Junior National Team a 1-0 lead.

However, the Cubs answered quickly in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer from their clean-up hitter, pushing them ahead 3-1. Despite strong at-bats and several walks, the Junior National Team struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving runners on base in multiple innings.

The Junior National Team made a final push in the 9th inning, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback against a strong Cubs pitching staff.

William Labonte (Montreal, QC) and Logan Forgie (Ottawa, ON) split the pitching duties for the Junior National Team, but the Cubs’ timely hitting and aggressive base running sealed the victory.

The Junior National Team will look to bounce back in their next game as they will be taking on the Boston Red Sox in game two of double-header action.

(Robert Omidi, Jordan Jacob, Adyn Schell)