Polanco belts first Showcase HR in Team New Blue’s 9-2 win

ABC outfielder William Polanco (Laval, Que.) smacked the first 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase home run to right field in the sixth inning to help Team New Blue to a 9-2 win over Team Black on Friday at Rogers Centre. Photo: Carter Smith

September 22, 2023

By Daniel Ramos

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO – William Polanco smacked the first 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase home run to right field in the sixth inning as Team New Blue opened Day 4 with a lopsided 9-2 victory over Team Black, on Friday morning at the Rogers Centre.

The wooden-bat shot travelled 368 feet, landing in the bullpen.

“I did it and I'm really proud of it,” said the Dominican-born slugger from Laval, Que. “I did not have the best game in the start, but I still worked hard to be mentally awake.

“I was awake and ready.”

First up on the mound was Jack Baxter and he showcased a strong performance for Team New Blue. The Quispamsis, N.B. native finished his outing with 46 pitches, four strikeouts, and one walk after three innings pitched.

“My arm felt good, it held up,” said the left-handed pitcher. “It was really great to play against the best players in Canada… the opportunity to be here is just awesome.”

Vauxhall Academy left-hander Jack Baxter (Quispamsis, N.B.) delivers a pitch for Team New Blue on Friday. The young lefty went three scoreless innings to help his team to a 9-2 win over Team Back. Photo: Carter Smith

Also contributing to New Blue was centre fielder Remi Lemay (Ste. Martine, Que.), who walked, came around to score, and also had a RBI ground out.

Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) had two walks and scored two runs, while Cam Gravelle (Smithville, Ont.) also tallied one run on two walks.

Providing some support on the other side for Team Black was catcher Gianluca Montanaro. The Aurora, Ont. native had two hits, scoring on a single by left fielder Dylan Chopp (Calgary, Alta.) after stealing both second and third base in the bottom of the fourth. He also tallied two hits throughout the game.

“It was amazing. Like beyond words. The first time we stepped in here, even just up in the concourse, it was crazy, like breathtaking,” said Montanaro. “We’re still here to play baseball but it’s actually just wonderful, it’s a great field.”

Chopp added one hit and one RBI for Team Black, while Noah Cantwell (Cambridge, Ont.), Owen Ralph (Toronto, Ont.), and Josh Davis (Guelph, Ont.) each tallied one hit. Their big hit of the day was a triple by Joey Marino (Surrey, B.C.).