JNT downs Fort Lauderdale Stars for first win of extended spring
From left to right: Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Pérade, Que.), Noah Powell (North York, Ont.) and Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, Que.) and Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.) were standouts for the Junior National Team in their 6-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Stars on Friday. Photo: Baseball Canada
April 18, 2025
By Eugenio Matos
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team used a big sixth inning to power past the Fort Lauderdale Stars in the third game of their Extended Spring Training Camp.
The Canadians bounced back from an early 1-0 deficit, scoring six runs on 10 hits and three walks late in the game.
Starter Julian Sabourin (Ancaster, Ont.) showed composure after finding himself behind early, with the Stars taking advantage of a defensive miscue that brought home the game’s first run. The right-hander would hold the Stars off the scoreboard for the rest of his outing, finishing with three strikeouts in three innings.
The Junior National Team’s offence finally broke through in the sixth inning when Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Pérade, Que.) delivered a clutch two-run double to give the Canadians the lead. Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) and Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, Que.) added RBI singles before Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.) capped the inning with a two-run double of his own.
Noah Powell (North York, Ont.) made his Junior National Team debut and struck out six in three scoreless innings. Walker Kokotailo (Surrey, BC) followed Powell with three scoreless innings of his own to shut the door on the Stars’ offence.
All 10 Canadians in the lineup reached base safely at least once, while the defence turned two key double plays to keep the Stars off the board.
The Juniors will try to continue their winning ways on Saturday as they hit the road to take on the Philadelphia Phillies extended squad at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla.