ORLANDO, FL – The Junior National Team let a two-run lead slip away when the Cleveland Indians’ prospects drew seven walks, mixed in with one base hit to score three runs on route to a 5-2 victory over the Juniors.
The Canadian pitching staff gave up a total of nine walks in a game they seemed to have well in hand before losing the strike zone.
The Juniors had control in the early going as they would score the first run of the game in the first inning. Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) continued his torrid spring with an RBI single to drive in Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC) and give the Canadians a 1-0 lead.
They increased their lead in the second inning when Mackenzie Harrison (St. Thomas, ON) doubled and scored on an Indians’ error to put Canada ahead by two.
On the mound, Jake Eliopoulos (Newmarket, ON) frustrated the Indians’ hitters for the first three innings. The left-hander put together a scoreless effort, allowing only three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in his outing.
From there, things started to fall apart starting in the fourth inning. The Indians’ prospects drew three walks followed by a single to score a pair and tie the game at 2-2.
The Indians would take the lead in the sixth inning when they drew four walks to force in what turned out to be the winning run. Cleveland would add a pair in the eighth on three singles and a passed ball to complete the scoring.
The Junior National Team will take on the Detroit Tigers in their next Spring Training matchup on Friday, April 18th. Action starts at 1 pm.
