Saint Paul MN- For the third time in four games the JNT was forced to sit through a delay. This time the game had started as scheduled but lightning forced a stoppage that last for 40 minutes. The short break in action was not a factor as the JNT prevailed with a 7-4 victory against the Twin City High School All Stars.
Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, QC) got his second start of the pre-world’s tour and looked dominant through three innings. Therrien would have continued to pitch in the game but the delay caused by the lightning ended Therrien’s afternoon pre-maturely. Therrien had only allowed one base runner when he gave up a single while striking out 2 batters.
“The delay was just too long,” said JNT Coach Dan Thompson (Burlington, ON). He pitched great, but we had to take him out.
When the game was called in the middle of the 3rd inning, the JNT had built a 2-0 lead having scored a run in each of the first two innings.
In the first inning Brandon Dailey (Brantford, ON) hit his 4th double of the tour down the left field line. He then advanced to second on a sacrifice fly and was later hit home by a Philip Diedrick (Ajax, ON) single.
After the delay the JNT picked up right where they left off as Alex Calbick (Burnaby, BC) scored on a Chris Robinson (Uxbridge, ON) double with two out in the 4th inning.
Tanner Spencer (Craik, SK) came on in relief of Therrien and sailed through two innings giving up a hit and a walk. The All Stars got to Spencer in the 6th inning breaking the shutout bid by putting across their first run of the ball game. Spencer managed to battle back in the inning getting out of a bases loaded, one-out jam by forcing a pop-out and striking out the final batter of the inning.
The JNT were quick to answer in the bottom half of the 6th with two runs of their own to make the score 5-1. Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC) who was 4 for 5 on the afternoon had an RBI single in the inning.
Spencer’s afternoon ended after the 7th inning when the All Stars manufactured two more runs cutting the JNT lead to two runs. Any hope that the All Stars had of a comeback however were quickly put to rest in the 8th as Diedrick mashed his third homer of the tour over the fence in deep right centre field. Diedrick’s homerun also brought home Jalen Harris (Toronto, ON) who had previously singled, recording his second hit of the afternoon.
The thirteen hit attack by the JNT was a welcome sight as the team had struggled offensively the past two games. Coach Thompson noted the importance of his team staying focussed throughout the game.
“A game like this was probably a little difficult to get up for after playing Team USA last night,” said Thompson. “It was important that the guys stay focussed, it was great to see some guy’s get hits today.”
Brian Bardis (St. Constant, QC) pitched a scoreless 8th inning and allowed 1-run in the ninth before closing out the game by recording 3 outs with the bases loaded.
“It was real important that we won today’s game,” continued Thompson. “We’ve been here a couple of days now, we’re rested and will give the American’s a good run tomorrow.”
Notes: The JNT will meet Team USA for the second time at Midway Stadium in Saint Paul, MN on July 18th. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm CT. ... Evan Grills (Whitby, ON) joined the JNT on July 17th after spending the past several weeks at the Houston Astros training facility in Kissimmee, FL. ...Grills is the only member of the JNT that played in the World Junior Championship in Edmonton, AB in 2008. ... The JNT were the home team against the Twin City HS All Stars, making it the first time they have been on the pre-world’s 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.
