(Photo: Alexis Brudnicki)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida- The Junior National Team came up just short today dropping a 2-1 decision to prospects from the Washington Nationals organization at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, BC), Will McAffer ((North Vancouver, BC) and Austin Shields (Dundas, ON) combined to limit the Nationals to just four hits.
Burgmann tossed three shutout innings walking three and striking out one, while Shields fanned five and walked three. Neither pitcher gave-up a hit.
Reliever Will McAffer also went three innings and allowed two runs on four hits and a walk to go along with two strikeouts.
The Nats scored both of their runs in the top of the fifth on a fielder’s choice, with runners on second and third, followed by a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the inning, the juniors managed their only two hits of the ballgame, but made them count as Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON) singled and scored on a double off the bat of Demi Orimoloye (Orleans, ON).
Orimoloye ended up on third base after Adam Hall (London, ON) grounded out, but was left stranded following a pair of strikeouts.
The Nationals stranded 11 runners, while the juniors left two on. Both clubs committed one error.
UP NEXT: The juniors will be back at ESPN Wide World of Sports tomorrow for a 1pm EDT against prospects from the Atlanta Braves…LHP Isaac Anesty (Guelph, ON) is expected to start.
