Quebec Blue overwhelms Futures Navy to begin title defence

Quebec Blue's Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.) gets one of his two hits versus Futures Navy Tuesday evening at the Rogers Centre.  Photo Credit: Mitch Sanderson

By: Leah Smith

Canadian Baseball Network

Edouard Julien recorded two hits and scored two runs as Quebec Blue defeated Futures Navy 7-2 Game 5 of Tournament 12.

Quebec (1-0-0), the defending champions, jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the end of the second inning and sent nine batters to the plate in the first.

“It was a pretty good game,” said Oscar Rodriguez, who pitched the seventh inning. “The starter did his job, the offence did their jobs, everybody did their jobs. That is why we got the win.”

The starting pitching was the difference in this game as Futures (1-1-0) pitcher Tyler Whalen struggled to find his command walking seven batters in his two innings of work.

Those walks proved costly for the Futures team as Quebec scored seven runs on just four hits.

In contrast, starting pitcher for Quebec, Vincent Beauregard, went three scoreless innings.

“I threw a lot of good pitches, a lot of strikes, I got the outs,” said the 18-year-old Laval native. “I didn’t allow any runs so I think it was a pretty good outing.”

While Futures scattered nine hits over the seven inning contest, they were only able to plate two, both scoring in the fifth.

In the Futures first game, the age gap was not noticeable, but this time they were up against a team that was not only older, but had built-in chemistry. While the Futures team is made up of the best players from across the country, Quebec has 10 players who all play for the same team back home, Ailes du Quebec.

There was also the added motivation of wanting to defend last year’s title.

“We are coming to defend our title,” said Isaac Deveaux, who had an RBI and was part of a double steal in the win. “To get that first win under our belts is so important.”

Added to the familiarity Quebec’s players have with each other, is the fact that a number of players have Tournament 12 experience.

Deveaux played for the Futures team last year and both Samuel Chaput and Matthew Chiz-Majeur suited up for the winning Quebec squad.

“I love the feeling of playing at the Rogers Centre,” said Deveaux. “Playing at a great event like this hosted by Robbie Alomar, it’s an honour.”