Goodacre makes Showcase history, helps lead Team Black to win over Team Royal

Fieldhouse Pirates infielder Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) had the only hit for Team Royal off Team Black’s hard-throwing right-hander Ben Goodacre (Ancaster, Ont.) in the second game of the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. Photo: Melissa Akgez

September 18, 2024

By Melissa Akgez

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO – Ben Goodacre dialed up the fastest pitch in the 10-year history of the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday to help lead his Team Black to a 4-0 shutout over Team Royal.

Goodacre (Ancaster, Ont.) racked up four strikeouts in two scoreless innings and also threw one very special pitch clocked at 95.6 mph. The previous high was Ontario Blue Jays Anthony Unga (Oakville, Ont.) clocked at 91.8 MPH.

The six-foot-four right hander has a verbal agreement with West Virginia University but is eligible for next year’s draft.

“I was pretty proud of it. I’ve worked very hard to get to that.” said the quiet Goodacre, after the game. “I hope I make the All-Star game to try and beat that on Saturday.”

Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) had the only hit off Goodacre for Team Royal.

Lefthander Luke Foulds (Thunder Bay, Ont.) took over and went two innings and permitted one hit and one walk, while striking out two. Righty Hank Lloyd (Toronto) pitched the final three frames, allowing three hits and three walks, while also fanning one batter.

Team Royal starter Zachary Landreville (St-Jerome, Que.) worked three innings and gave up two hits, three runs (all earned) and four walks. He also struck out four.

Dylan Miles (London, Ont.) pitched the middle two frames for Team Royal, giving up a run on a hit and two walks, while also registering three strikeouts. Travis Harfield (Victoria, B.C.) also went two. He allowed a pair of singles, two free passes and struck out two batters.

Team Black opened the scoring in the first on a sacrifice fly by Benji Kautto (Toronto) that scored Elliott Lascelles (Toronto).

Lukas Le Gras (Victoria) scored twice. He scored one run on an RBI ground out and another later on a sacrifice fly, both from Owen Ralph (Toronto),

Quinn Carson (Oakville, Ont.), of Team Royal, hit a triple in the bottom of the fourth but was left stranded.