JNT edged by Blue Jays in extended spring action
From left to right: Philip Cheong (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.), on left in middle photo, and Shane Brinham (North Vancouver, BC) were standouts for the Junior National Team in their 5-4 loss to a team of Toronto Blue Jays prospects on Thursday. Photo: Baseball Canada
April 17, 2025
By Eugeno Matos
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team jumped out to a fast start Thursday morning but couldn’t hold off a late push from the Toronto Blue Jays’ extended spring squad, falling 5–4 in a tight matchup.
Philip Cheong (Richmond Hill, Ont.) set the tone with a leadoff single and a stolen base before coming around to score later in the inning on a balk to give the Juniors the early edge.
Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Perade, Que.) and Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, Que.) each chipped in with productive outs to cash in a pair of runs to extend the lead to 2-0 in the first.
On the mound, Keegan Russell (Whitby, Ont.) made quick work of the Blue Jays in the first, striking out the side. The right-hander exited the game early in the second with some discomfort in his throwing arm.
Speed and aggressive baserunning paid off in the second, as Elliott Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) and Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.) sparked a rally that saw both come around to score on a ground ball that forced an error. This gave the Juniors an early 4–0 lead.
Southpaw Shane Brinham (North Vancouver, BC) took over for Russell and proceeded to strike out four and not allow an earned run in 2 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Will Hynes (Mississauga, Ont.) replaced Brinham in the sixth and worked the final three innings. The Blue Jays were able to flip the scoreboard in the seventh, despite a strong performance by the Canadian right-hander who picked up five strikeouts.
The Juniors would threaten again late in the game after a pair of singles by Nolan Weinmeyer (Sidney, BC) and Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) had the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
The Juniors are back at it on Friday against the Fort Lauderdale Stars at the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex in Dunedin.