Saint Paul MN- The JNT had their first taste of International competition facing Team USA, beginning the Minnesota leg of the pre-world’s tour. Thanks to 4 costly errors and facing some tough American pitching, the JNT came out on the losing end of a 7-2 game.
“I was disappointed in the sloppiness on routine plays, “says JNT Head Coach Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, ON). “But outside of that I don’t think we were that bad.”
Emmanuel Forcier (St-Hyacinthe, QC) lead the game off with a bang as he smashed a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for a solo homerun off American starter Henry Owens. Owens then proceeded to walk the next three batters loading the bases with none out. The JNT was unable to capitalize on the walks as Owens found his groove by striking out the next 3 batters.
Forcier’s homer was the only hit the JNT would have until the 8th inning when Chris Robinson (Uxbridge, ON) singled. Four Team USA pitchers combined to strikeout fourteen JNT hitters on the evening, but Hamilton was more concerned with his team not being able to produce when given the opportunity.
“They have great arms over there and guys are going to strikeout,” explained Hamilton. “The thing that concerns me more than anything else is when you have opportunities to score you have to extend. We had a shot in the 1st and you’re not going to get five chances in a game with pitching like that.”
Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC) was able to hold the American side hitless through two innings. Ellis himself was his own worst enemy in the 3rd inning as he made two throwing errors on balls hit directly back to him, resulting with the Americans taking a 2-1 lead.
The game remained close after both clubs traded runs in the 5th and 6th innings. The JNT were able to take advantage of some errors made by Team USA to cut the lead to one run after the Americans had built a 2-run lead.
However, in the bottom of the 6th with two runners on, Brian Smith (Pickering, ON) who had come on in relief of Ellis gave up a triple to Michael Lorenzen scoring both runs.
Team USA tacked on two more runs insurance runs in the 7th off Nicholas Pivetta (Victoria, BC) putting the game out of reach.
After the game Hamilton was able to take some positives out of the loss and explain what his team will be up against in the World Championships.
“On the positive side I don’t think they pounded our pitching around the park,” said Hamilton. “But that’s the reality that you get. We’re going to have to go through some good teams to win a World Championship and that’s what you saw tonight.”
Notes: The JNT will be back at it on July 17 when they meet the Twin City High School All-Stars. Game time is set for 4:05 pm CT at Midway Stadium in Saint Paul. ...Team USA Hitting/First Base Coach is former MLB player Brian McRae. ...Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, ON) joined the JNT as the pitching coach in Minnesota, trading places with Chris Begg (Uxbridge, ON) who held the job during the New England portion of the tour.
The 2010 IBAF World Junior (18U) Baseball Championship will host national teams from Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela and the United States. Teams will begin qualifying games on July 23rd and the tournament will culminate in the Gold Medal game on August 1st at the Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Visit the website at www.worldbaseball2010.com. For tickets, please call Toll Free 1-877-422-3201.
