JNT Spring Training: Juniors down Rays 4-3
Left-hander Elliot Cadieux Lanoue (St-Pie, Que.) started and allowed just one hit and struck out five in four scoreless innings for the Junior National Team in their game against a team of Tampa Bay Rays prospects in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday. Photo: Baseball Canada
April 21, 2023
Baseball Canada
Sarasota, Fla. - The Junior National Team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays Extended squad 4-3 in the second game of their Spring Training Camp against a pro squad.
Pitching and defence was the name of the game as the Juniors took an early lead in the first and never looked back. The Juniors’ offence scored four runs on nine hits in support of the pitching staff.
Elliot Cadieux Lanoue (St-Pie, Que.) set the tone for the Juniors’ pitching staff, working four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five batters. Nick Frers (North Vancouver, BC) followed and took care of the middle innings, limiting the Rays to a pair of runs (one earned), while fanning two in his three innings of work. Owen Fernandes (Maple Ridge, BC) then closed out the contest with four strikeouts to record a two inning-save.
The Canadian offence got started early when Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) and Marek Lalonde (Valleyfield, Que.) hit back-to-back singles. Brayden Ricketts (Brampton, Ont.) then hit into a fielder’s choice that scored the first run of the game.
Jorge Valdes (Milton, Ont.) had a good day at the plate, collecting two hits in four at bats at the top of the lineup.
The Canadians rallied for three runs in their half of the seventh inning, with the big hit being a two-RBI single by Cardel Dick (Abbotsford, BC) that drove in Brendan Lawson (North York, Ont.) and BJ Peart (Markham, Ont.).
With the win, the Juniors improve their record to 1-1 against pro teams during their 2023 Spring Training Camp.