Kauffman’s HR sparks Team Grey to win, Getz shines for Team Red
Okotoks Dawgs Academy outfielder Landon Kauffman (Okotoks, Alta.), shown at the plate here, belted a three-run home run for Team Grey at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Friday. Photo: John Milton
September 22, 2023
By Michael Jose Collins
Centennial Sports Journalism
TORONTO - Team Red pitcher Brett Getz's impressive starting effort was not enough to outlast Team Grey’s dominant bats, as Grey was victorious 8-0 at the Canadian Futures Showcase, Friday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.
Getz (Medicine Hat, Alta.) won player of the game, allowing no runs and one strikeout on 40 pitches in his dominant three-inning outing.
“I was able to locate all my pitches,” said Getz, after the game. “I felt confident with going first pitch changeup and was trusting my D behind me and they made all the plays, so it helped me.”
Despite the losing effort in the exhibition tournament game, Getz was focused on what’s to come next for his young career.
“This might be one of the last outings of my fall, so I end the year good,” said Getz. “Hopefully I can build this forward to next year, gain strength and some velo, and see what happens at the start of 2024.”
The lefty went head-to-head with Grey pitcher Codi Scott (Thamesford, Ont.) and both players did not allow a single run in their three innings.
Scott finished his outing with one hit allowed and one strikeout on 40 pitches.
Grey scored the first run of the game after shortstop Will Moore (Paris, Ont.) hit a double off relief pitcher Frank Caietta (Bradford, Ont.) which sent Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, Que.) home from third, putting the team up 1-0.
Moore felt the pressure of playing at the Rogers Centre and wanting to live up to the expectations the stadium sets.
“It felt great. Obviously being here in a great atmosphere you want to do the best you can,” said Moore. “To put my team up, it just feels great to come through.”
After the first run the floodgates opened for Team Grey in the fifth inning as they went on to score three runs in the frame.
The hits continued in the sixth for Grey with a wooden-bat home run from outfielder Landon Kauffman (Okotoks, Alta.) who sent a 363-foot bomb to left field, putting his team up 7-0 with the three-run homer.
Liam Cruickshank (Mississauga, Ont.) came in to relieve Scott at the top of the fourth, continuing the hot pitching and ended his outing with one hit, and three strikeouts on 30 pitches.
With big shoes to fill Grey pitcher Evan Schweizer (Oakville, Ont.) entered in the sixth to see the game out.
“Obviously I was a little nervous on this big stage, but I just do what I always do, compete,” Schweizer said after the game. “And just give my team the best chance to win.”
The righty finished off the game blanking Team Red with three strikeouts and no hits.