Canada eliminated from U18 Pan Am Championship after loss to Puerto Rico
Canada has been eliminated from the 18U Pan American Championship after a 4-2 loss to Puerto Rico in the quarter finals on Friday. Photo: Baseball Canada
August 9, 2024
Baseball Canada
PANAMA CITY, Panama — The Junior National Team has been eliminated from the 18U Pan American Championship after a 4-2 loss to Puerto Rico in the quarter finals on Friday
The game started on a high note for Canada with leadoff hitter Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) blasting a solo home run to deep right-centre field in the first inning. Ryan Stalony (Mississauga, Ont.) then reached on a throwing error by the third baseman. Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, B.C.) followed with a single and Leo Cote (Ayer’s Cliff, Que.) then added a single of his own to drive in Stalony to make the score 2-0.
But Puerto Rico responded with two runs in the second inning to tie the game 2-2.
After the two-run second, Canadian starter Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) held Puerto Rico off the scoreboard in the third but was replaced by left-hander Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) after allowing a single to start the fourth.
Puerto Rico would score single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-2 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish.
Canada had several opportunities to close the gap. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Tommy Hanger (Toronto, Ont.) singled and advanced to second on a balk, but the Canadians were unable to bring him home.
The Juniors’ best chance came in the fifth inning when Dante Smith (Ajax, Ont.) walked and stole second, but the inning ended on a hard line out by Stalony (Mississauga, Ont.).
Looking Ahead
With the loss, Canada has been eliminated from the U18 Pan American Championship and will have to wait until the end of the Panama-Nicaragua game to know its final place at the tournament.