The Canadian Junior National Team opened MLB Draft League International Series action under the lights with a 5–1 setback against the Aberdeen IronBirds at Ripken Stadium.
Canada broke through in the fourth inning when Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON) singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error before Robert Omidi (Mississauga, ON) drove him in with an RBI double to left field. Lascelles later added his second hit of the game in the eighth, finishing 2-for-4. Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, AB) singled and stole a base in the fifth inning, collecting the only other hit for the Canadians in the ballgame.
On the mound, Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, ON) was sharp early, retiring the first 14 batters he faced and striking out five over 4.2 innings of work. The IronBirds eventually answered with a three-run fifth to knock Nantais-Vlahovich out of the ballgame. Aberdeen added two more in the sixth before the Canadian bullpen settled things down late.
Ethan Reason (Stouffville, ON) turned in a strong relief appearance, working 2.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. He also helped erase a baserunner with a pickoff in the seventh before working around a double in the eighth to keep the IronBirds off the board.
The Juniors will be back at Ripken Stadium tomorrow as they continue their three-game series against the Aberdeen IronBirds.
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(E.Reason, R.Omidi, E.Lascelles)
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