Johnston, Parker lead Team New Blue to win in Canadian Futures Showcase opener
Mississauga Tigers HPP right-hander Wesley Johnston (Toronto, Ont.) threw three innings of no-hit ball for Team New Blue to open the Blue Jays Canadian Futures Showcase, in Toronto, on Wednesday. Photo: Carter Smith, Centennial College.
September 20, 2023
By Yannis Economopoulos
Centennial Sports Journalism
TORONTO – Keenan Parker (St. Albert, Alta.) hit a two-RBI single to lead Team New Blue to a 3-1 victory against Team Grey at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday morning, in the opening game of the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, Parker’s hit to right-centre field, off Owen Fernandes (Vauxhall, Alta.) put New Blue on the board first, which was enough to secure the win. The 5-foot-11 first baseman went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Parker felt his opening single settled him in for the remainder of the tournament.
"The nervousness is gone after that hit," he said after the game. "I just have to go out there and do my thing."
Team Grey left fielder Brodey Bitove (Toronto, Ont.) tripled to start the fifth, then scored on a Landon Kauffman (Vancouver, B.C.) double off the right field wall.
The game's first three innings were an impressive, scoreless pitcher's duel between Makaio Cisneros, of Team Grey, and Wesley Johnston (Toronto, Ont.), of Team New Blue.
Right-hander Makaio Cisneros (Whitby, Ont.) opened the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase, in Toronto, with three scoreless inning of one-hit ball for Team Grey. Photo by Carter Smith, Centennial College.
Cisneros, a Whitby Ont. product, retired the first five batters he faced before hitting two straight in the bottom of the second. The TNXL Academy member, in Ocoee, Fla., threw 49 pitches in three innings, allowing a hit, while striking out three.
After moving to Florida a few months ago, Cisneros is back to where it all began to play in a tournament he is grateful to be a part of.
“This has always been a dream of mine,” the 17-year-old said outside the dugout. “Being here to participate in this showcase is huge, and it was something that was on my bucket list.”
Johnston, playing in his hometown, answered Cisneros’ performance with three strikeouts of his own, walked one, and gave up a hit on 55 pitches. The Mississauga Tigers HPP arm is currently uncommitted.
Anthony Unga (Oakville, Ont.) recorded the win after entering in relief of Johnston for the fourth and fifth innings. The 6-foot-4, hard-throwing righty allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out five on 41 pitches.
Fernandes looked shaky in his first appearance. His opening 30 pitches saw five batters walked, eventually leading to three earned runs. The Langley Blaze right-hander finished his outing with 56 pitches.
The annual showcase will be played throughout the week, followed by a home run derby and all-star game on Saturday.