JNT drops first game of extended spring camp to Pirates
From left to right: Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, Que.), Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) and Max Poirer (Nanaimo, BC) were standouts for the Junior National Team in their 3-1 loss to a team of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects in the first game of their Extended Spring Training Camp in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday. Photo: Baseball Canada
April 16, 2025
By Eugenio Matos
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team opened their Extended Spring Training Camp in Florida with a 3-1 loss to the Pirates at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.
Left-hander Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, Que.) started and struck out four and allowed just one run in three innings before giving way to the bullpen. Right-hander Max Poirier (Nanaimo, BC) followed with three strong innings, permitting just one earned run while fanning five.
Offensively, the Juniors were held hitless through the first three innings until Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, BC) broke the ice with a single in the fourth.
Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) had an outstanding first day at the plate, reaching base three times with two walks and a single.
Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, Que.) drove in the lone Canadian run in the ninth with a base hit to right field. That inning looked promising for the Juniors after Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.) added a bunt single and promptly stole a base for a final push before the inning was “rolled” due to pitch count.
Right-hander Adyn Schell (Toronto, Ont.) closed out the game for the Juniors by striking out strike two in two scoreless innings.
The Junior National Team is back in action on Thursday in Dunedin as they take on the Toronto Blue Jays extended spring training squad.