Kolodziej's clutch single propels Team Navy to win
Fieldhouse Pirates infielder Matthew Kolodziej (Oakville, Ont.) had a clutch, bases-loaded two-run single in the fourth inning to help Team Navy to a 7-3 win over Team Royal at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Blue Jays Academy
September 21, 2023
By Zeno Fu
Centennial Sports Journalism
Matthew Kolodziej hit a big two-run single in the fourth inning and helped Team Navy defeat Team Royal 7-3 on Thursday afternoon on Day 3 of the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre.
The shortstop from Oakville, Ont. was at bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning when he hit a line drive to left field, scoring Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) and Brandon Hoo (Mississauga, Ont.), giving Team Navy a 4-1 lead that they would not relinquish.
“I was just thinking compete, grind, stay in it, and look for a good pitch,” said Kolodziej, who also had a 1-2 count to add to the pressure. “I got one and drove it the other way.”
Reliever Logan Forgie (Ottawa, Ont.) picked up the win for Team Navy, but had a bit of a shaky start to the third inning.
“Just a bit of adrenaline and nerves, didn’t fully settle in yet,” said the southpaw, who struck out the first batter he faced but proceeded to walk the next one on two wild pitches off the backstop.
He recovered to finish with a great line of four strikeouts, two walks, and no hits or runs allowed.
“Just took a deep breath and relaxed. It’s a game, just gotta play it,” he said.
Jordan Jacob (Aurora, Ont.), ranked No. 1 on the 2025 Canadian Baseball Network draft list, wasn’t able to get any sort of rhythm going in the previous game, but came out and hit a triple in the fifth inning, scoring Preston Schwarz (Ottawa), before leaving the game with an ankle injury.
Ontario Blue Jays infielder Jordan Jacob (Aurora, Ont.) heads for third base for Team Navy in the third game of the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday at Rogers Centre. Unfortunately, Jordan was later removed from the game with an ankle injury. Photo: Carter Smith
Cooper Clark (Thorndale, Ont.) came in to pinch hit in the fifth inning for Team Royal, recording two hits and a run in two at-bats.
Starting pitcher Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) gave up only one run on two hits, with two walks and four strikeouts through three innings.
The bullpen was more of a mixed bag, as Tristan Eberle (Regina, Sask.) gave up five hits and five runs in two innings, walking three but still had four strikeouts.
Luca Alagheband (Toronto, Ont.) closed the last two innings of the game with three strikes and three walks, giving up one run.
Canadian Futures Showcase action continues this week through Saturday.