ORLANDO – The Junior National Team had runners in scoring position with less than two outs in the fifth inning with the score tied and again in the eighth inning down by one, but could not convert both times and the JNT would go on to fall to the Houston Astros 4-3 at the Disney Spring Training Camp.
The Astros would jump to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning after a pair of singles followed by a two out, two-run double against JNT starter Jonathan Paquet (Ancienne Lorette, QC).
The second inning would be Paquet only blemish, working three innings and allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three.
Houston would add to their lead in the fourth inning as a pair of errors would cost the Canadians, putting runners in scoring position and the Astros would take advantage with an RBI single to drive in a run and take a 3-0 lead.
The JNT would come back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth with the help of a two-run single from Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC). Simon Brisebois (Mascouche, QC) also came around to score after drawing a leadoff walk and later scoring on a wild pitch, putting the Canadians on the board.
In the fifth, the JNT had a chance to go out in front when Philip Diedrick (Ajax, ON) hit a one out double. After Ryan Johnson (Winnipeg, MB) hit a two out single, advancing Diedrick to third, Jordan Boston (Brampton, ON) grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning and leave a pair stranded.
A leadoff walk issued by Vaughn Covington (Vancouver, BC) in the top of the seventh inning proved to be costly as the Astros would once again capitalize with a one out double to bring in the go ahead run and take a 4-3 lead.
The Canadians would once again threaten in the bottom of the eighth when Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, BC) hit a one out double, but Jalen Harris (Toronto, ON) struck out and Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, ON) flied out to end the threat and the JNT would go one-two-three in the ninth to end the game.
The Junior National Team will be making a trip to Dunedin, Florida on Tuesday, April 20 as they will take on the Toronto Blue Jays at the Bobby Mattick Complex, the Blue Jays spring training home. Game time is 1 PM. Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, ON) is scheduled to start for the Canadians.
