Clark gets win for Team Navy on his birthday

Great Lake Canadians left-hander Caleb Clark (Orillia, Ont.) celebrated his birthday with a strong performance in front of the scouts against Team Green. Photo: Joshua Howe/Toronto Observer

September 20, 2019

By Caio Miari

Canadian Baseball Network

The script behind Team Navy’s 5-1 victory over Team Green on Tournament 12’s last official game in 2019 can’t be written without Caleb Clark.

Starring in the game for Team Navy, Clark was on the mound for three scoreless innings, striking out four batters while only allowing one walk and four hits. The performance earned him Player Of The Game honours.

But there was something extra special for the Orillia, Ont., native.

“I was feeling good, excited to play on my birthday. I felt pretty good about the game,” he said, in an interview after the game.

One of his coaches praised the now 16-year-old after the showcase event on Friday.

“Today was the first time I saw him pitch, and he showed me that he’s an aggressive pitcher,” said Jeff Francis, a former left-handed pitcher who played in the MLB for 11 seasons. “He worked quick, and when he got into trouble, it didn’t phase him. He didn’t lose anything off his efficiency out there.

“What I saw was a good pitcher with a good attitude and obviously some tools, that’s why he’s here.”

Even though Clark has only known Francis for a few weeks, the former Major Leaguer has impacted the young prospect’s game.

“Him helping me, giving me advice about how to throw pitches better and finish more... it’s been really good having him as a coach,” said Clark.

The 16-year-old looked poised in front of a large contingent of scouts on Friday.

“I just try not to think about it (that fact the scouts are in the stands),” he said. “I try to just focus on the catcher, not trying to think about the background and anything like that. I just want to focus on my game.”

Team Navy got another solid performance by second baseman Tyson Gomm.

After being named Player Of The Game Wednesday, Gomm collected two hits and a pair of RBIs against Team Green. Teammate Mason Dobie contributed with two hits and two RBIs.

Austin Gomm scored Team Green’s only run of the game after a single by Max Grant.

The Tournament 12 official games came to a close on Friday, with Saturday featuring both the home run derby and T12 Prospects Game.

“Nothing surprised me (about the tournament),” said Francis. “I expected the talent level across Canada to be pretty high and I think that was on display here.”