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DUNEDIN, FL – The Junior National Team Extended Spring Training Camp is underway in Dunedin, Florida as Canada commences preparations for the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBCS) Americas U-18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier which will be played later this year.

The Juniors will play an intersquad double-header as well as eight games against extended spring training teams from the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles organizations.

Junior National Team 3-8 Toronto Blue Jays EXT

The Junior National Team lost their last professional game of the camp 8-3 against the Blue Jays Extended squad.

Tommy Hanger (Toronto, ON) and Eric Hartman (St. Albert, AB) collected the only two hits for the Canadians, both extra-base hits. Hanger finished his day 1-for-2 with a run scored while Hartman drives in one run over his 1-for-4 performance.
 
Reid Clague (Victoria, BC) started the game for the Juniors allowing a run on two hits while fanning five Blue Jays to start off the ballgame.

The Blue Jays would pull away scoring consecutive runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.
 
Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) came out of the bullpen in the last inning and worked a scoreless frame to close out the Extended Spring Training Camp.
 
The Juniors finish the camp with a 2-2-4 record against professional competition. They will be back in action on May 13 for the start of the Dominican Professional Academy Camp.

Junior National Team 5-11 Baltimore Orioles EXT

The Junior National Team losses a slugfest against the Baltimore Orioles EXT 11-5 in the last road game of the Extended Spring Training Camp.

The Canadians scored five runs on ten hits and committed three errors in the ballgame.

The Juniors took an early lead sparked by an Eric Hartman (St. Albert, AB) 1-out triple in the top of the first. Hartman finishes his day 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

The O’s would even it all at one, after a defensive miscue led to a run in the bottom half. Starter Russell Kwinter (Toronto, ON) allows only three hits while striking out two over his three innings of work.

The Canadians would come right back with a run of their own in the top of the second as Owen Gregg (Oakville, ON) drives in Leo Cote (Ayer’s Cliff, QC) with a sacrifice fly to re-gain a 2-1 lead.

Maxime Boies (Levis, QC) and Dante Smith (Ajax, ON) would add to the Canadian lead in the top of the first with an RBI single and an RBI fielder choice, giving the Juniors their biggest lead of the game at 4-1.

The Orioles responded with three in the fifth, two in the sixth, three in the seventh, and two in the ninth to reach our final 11-5 score.

Anthony Clavet (Quebec City, QC), Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, AB), and William Polanco (Laval, QC) collect a multi-hit ballgame as they produce four of the five runs for the Junior National Team in the game.

Junior National Team 8-6 Baltimore Orioles EXT 

The Junior National Team secured its second win against pro competition at the Extended Spring Training Camp, besting the Orioles 8-6.

The Canadians overcome an early four-run deficit, scoring runs in five consecutive innings starting in the bottom of the fourth.

Simon Baker (Cochrane, AB) was a spark at the top of the lineup for the Juniors, finishing his day with a 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored and two runs driven in. Ryan Stalony (Mississauga, ON) also had a multi-hit game, collecting a pair of hits over his three at bats.

Merek Yeager (Muenster, SK) held the Orioles in check in the middle innings, working three scoreless frames permitting a pair of hits and a walk while striking out four.

Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) provided the big blow for the Canadians in the bottom of the seventh, plating a pair of runs with an RBI single that gave the Juniors their first lead of the game.

Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) and Mason Ault (Hamilton, ON) each drive in a run for the Canadians in the ballgame as they finish their days with a 1-for-2 and a 1-for-3 performance respectively.

Aiden Taggart (Grimsby, ON) battled on the mound in the late innings as he picks up three strikeouts over three innings of work to close out the ballgame.

Junior National Team 2-2 Tampa Bay Rays EXT

The Junior National Team tied the Tampa Bay Rays Extended squad 2-2, in their second road game of the camp.

The Canadians scored two runs on four hits and committed no errors in the ballgame as they continue to play good defence behind a pitching staff that has looked excellent against pro competition.

Starter Sheamus Ryan (Calgary, AB) worked three scoreless innings permitting only two hits and a walk while striking out three.

William Polanco (Laval, QC) had himself a day at the plate, collecting a pair of hits and a walk over his three plate appearances.

Anthony Clavet (Québec City, QC) and Carter Cathers (Nanaimo, BC) collected the only two other hits for the Junior National Team.

William Labonte (Montreal, QC) worked in and out of trouble in the late innings, holding the Rays in check over his three innings of work while picking up a pair of strikeouts.

Junior National Team 1-3 New York Yankees EXT

The Juniors lose the first road game of the Extended Spring Training Camp 3-1 against the New York Yankees EXT squad.

The Canadians were held scoreless until the last inning as pitcher Geoffrey D’Amato (Milton, ON) traded in the maple leaf to pitch against his mates for the pinstripes in this game. The left hander cruised through four innings, permitting only a pair of hits, and striking out six Juniors.

Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, AB) sailed through the first third of the game before giving up a double in the bottom of the third that brought home the first run. Ryan Press (Toronto, ON) battled through his two and two third innings of work, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three.

The Juniors made it interesting in the eighth as Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) drove in Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, AB) after he had doubled earlier that inning to reach the final 3-1 score. Piasentin and Flewelling both finished their days 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored respectively.

Junior National Team 6-1 Toronto Blue Jays EXT

The Junior National Team obtained their first win against pro competition at the Extended Spring Training Camp, topping the Blue Jays EXT squad 6-1.

The Canadians scored six runs on six hits on their way to victory behind three strong outings from the Junior National Team pitching staff.

Josiah Romeo (Caledon, ON) set the tone for the Juniors working three scoreless frames, allowing only a walk while striking out three.

Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) also worked three scoreless frames out of the bullpen, collecting three strikeouts while permitting only a pair of hits and a walk.

Dante Smith (Ajax, ON) sparked the offensive effort at the top of the lineup, smashing a pair of hits over his four at bats while driving in one and scoring a run for the Canadians.

Brayden Ricketts (Brampton, ON) and Ryan Stalony (Mississauga, ON) both good days at the plate, finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI, and 1-for-2 with a run scored, respectively.

Jacob Wallace (Pincourt, QC) closed it out for Team Canada as the right hander allowed a run on three hits while striking out three over his three innings of work.

Junior National Team Red 6-2 Junior National Team Grey

Team Red completed the sweep with a 6-2 win over Team Grey in the second game of doubleheader action.

Team Red scored six runs on eight hits and committed no errors in the victory. Team Grey was held scoreless until the last inning as they only managed to score a pair of runs on three hits.

Russell Kwinter (Toronto, ON) and Kyu Lumsdon (Langley, BC) both work three scoreless innings in their Junior National Team debuts. Kwinter picked up three strikeouts in his starting effort for Team Red. Lumsdon collected two strikeouts in relief for Team Grey keeping Red in check late in the ballgame.

Ben Goodacre (Hamilton, ON) worked two scoreless frames in relief, permitting only a hit and a pair of walks while striking out two.

 Brayden Ricketts (Brampton, ON) delivered the big blow for Team Red smashing a 3-run home run early in the ballgame. Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, AB) would do it late in the game for Team Grey dispatching a 2-run homer of his own to get his team on the board.

Junior National Team Red 3-2 Junior National Team Grey

An excellent showing for the Junior National Team in the first game of doubleheader inter-squad action as Team Red won it in the late innings 3-2.

Team Red scored three runs on eight hits and committed no errors in the victory. Team Grey scored two runs on three hits in the loss.

Strong pitching performance from both sides led by Team Red starter Mark Rogers (Cambridge, ON) who worked three scoreless frames, permitting only a walk, and striking out four.  Will Hynes (Mississauga, ON) had a solid appearance out of the bullpen, holding Team Red scoreless over two frames.

Seamus Ryan (Calgary, AB) and William Labonte (Okotoks, AB) had their first taste of Junior National Team action on the hill.

Eric Hartman (St. Albert, AB) continued to swing a hot bat in camp finishing the game a perfect 3-for-3 scoring a pair of runs and driving in one. Mason Ault (Hamilton, ON) had a good day at the plate for Team Grey smashing an RBI double over his two at bats.

Junior National Team 0-5 Pittsburgh Pirates EXT

The Pittsburgh Pirates EXT bested the Junior National Team 4-0 in the second pro game of the Extended Spring Training Camp.
 
The Canadians could not get a run across the plate in this one despite outhitting the Pirates squad, 5-4.

Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, AB) started the game for the Juniors and dominated the Pirates early on. The right-hander worked three perfect frames and picked up five strikeouts in his first outing of the camp.
 
Ryan Press (Toronto, ON) was the first out of the bullpen and was cruising through the middle innings giving up only a hit and a couple of walks while striking out four.

Maxime Boies (Levis, QC), Anthony Clavet (Quebec City, QC), Eric Hartman (St. Albert, AB), William Polanco (Laval, QC), and Ryan Stalony (Mississauga, ON) each picked up a hit, all singles, for the Junior National Team as the offense fails to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
 
Adyn Schell (Toronto, ON) worked a scoreless frame out of the bullpen, giving up just one hit and striking out a batter. Geoffrey D’Amato (Milton, ON) battled through the late innings allowing three runs on three hits while striking out four.

Junior National Team 5-5 Toronto Blue Jays EXT 

The Junior National Team and the Toronto Blue Jays Extended Spring Training Team (EXT) tied 5-5 in the first professional game of the Extended Spring Training Camp.

Canada scored five runs on three hits and committed no errors behind strong effort from the pitching staff.

Josiah Romeo (Caledon, ON) was the starter for the Junior National Team permitting three runs on two hits, over two and a third innings of work. Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) was the first pitcher out of the bullpen, working three full frames, allowing a pair of runs on four hits while striking out four.

Eric Hartman (St. Albert, AB) delivered the big blow of the game for the Juniors, driving in a couple of runs with a single late in the game to tie the action at five a piece. Hartman finishes the day 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a run scored, a walk, and a pair of RBIs.

Anthony Clavet (Quebec City, QC) and Brayden Ricketts (Brampton, ON) collected the only two other hits for Team Canada as they both finished their day 1-for-3 with a walk.

Jacob Wallace (Pincourt, QC) held the Jays in check in the last three frames of the ballgame, allowing only a hit while fanning a pair.

This All-Canadian showdown came down to the last out as Junior National Team alumni Sam Shaw (Victoria, BC) faced off against Wallace with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. Wallace would ultimately come on top, inducing a hard line out to preserve the tie.