JNT Spring Training: Dessureault, Dick, Lalonde star for Juniors in spring finale
Marek Lalonde (Valleyfield, Que.) belted a solo home run for the Junior National Team against a team of Washington Nationals prospects in the last game of Junior National Team Spring Training on Saturday. Photo: Baseball Canada
April 29, 2023
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team had a strong showing in their last game of Spring Training Camp, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Washington Nationals Extended squad.
The Juniors scored two runs on six hits and were flawless defensively.
Starter Jacob Wallace (Pincourt, Que.) had an impressive outing for the Junior National Team, permitting only one run on two hits while striking out a pair in two innings.
LHP Ryan Press (Toronto, Ont.) and RHP Anthony Deblois (Saint-Isidore, Que.) both contributed scoreless appearances in relief. Press struck out two in his inning, while Deblois held the Nats off the scoreboard for 1 2/3 innings.
Marek Lalonde (Valleyfield, Que.) delivered the big blow for the Juniors in the top of the fifth inning when he smashed a solo home run to dead centre field to give the Juniors a 2-0 lead. The second basemen would finish 1-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
Cardel Dick (Abbotsford, BC) continued to swing a hot bat, with another multi-hit performance (2-for-3). Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Riviéres, Que.) also collected a couple of hits, finishing a perfect 2-for-2. Meanwhile, BJ Peart (Markham, Ont.) was a standout both defensively and offensively, finishing the day 1-for-2 with a walk.
The Junior National Team program will resume next month with the annual Dominican Summer League tour from May 14 to May 24.