Jacob leads Team Grey to 7-2 win over Team New Blue
September 18, 2024
By Aidan Cowling-McDonnell
Centennial Sports Journalism
TORONTO - Jordan Jacob’s two-run triple headlined a three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth from Team Grey, as they went on to defeat Team New Blue 7-2 in the opening game of the 2024 Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday.
A Logan Booth (Chilliwack, B.C.) single advanced shortstop Miguel Tetreault (Fort McMurray, Alta.) from first to third, before Jacob (Maple, Ont.) launched a ball to deep centre field, scoring both runners to make it 3-2 and give Team Grey its first lead.
Jacob also recorded two stolen bases, a pair of walks, and was awarded Player of the Game on Wednesday morning.
“To be able to come out and get a big hit, steal a couple of bags, it felt pretty good to get the lead,” said Jacob, in a postgame interview. “I think my approach was to ‘See fastball, hit fastball’. Just go hunt the fastball first pitch and I got it, and I hunted it.”
Jacob, who’s committed to play for the University of Pittsburgh, is looking forward to the rest of the week and making memories with his teammates.
“It means a lot.” Jacob added. “It’s a top tournament in Canada with a bunch of top players, so It's just fun to be here and compete.”
Toronto Mets right-hander Keegan Russell (Whitby, Ont.) started and recorded three strikeouts in two innings for Team Grey in their 7-2 victory over Team New Blue in the first game of the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday. Photo:Aidan Cowling-McDonnell
Team Grey starter Keegan Russell (Whitby, Ont.) recorded three strikeouts on 69 pitches in two innings. Jackson Long (Guelph, Ont.) and Robert Scalzo (Brentwood Bay, Alta.) came in relief of Russell to close out the win in the final five innings.
Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont.) took the mound for Team New Blue and recorded six strikeouts on 45 pitches, while allowing just one hit through three innings. Centre fielder Langdyn Cummins (Vauxhall, Alta.) registered Team New Blue’s only RBI in the bottom of the second with a double to right field.
The 6-foot-8 McDowell was happy with his performance but feels there are things he can improve on.
“I kind of hoped I could get a couple more fastballs higher up, maybe throw a few more strikes, but I think I was able to show what I could do,” he said, in a postgame interview. “I think my slider was really working today.
“I was able to spot my fastball in spots where it needed to be. Whether inside or outside, I really think the slider was really working and getting guys chasing.”
Matis Rodrigue (Montreal, Que.) and Nathanial Chambers (Mississauga, Ont.) came on in relief for McDowell, with Chambers giving up three runs on 24 pitches in the top of the sixth.