Juniors open Word Cup Qualifier Selection camp with tie
The Junior National Team has opened its selection camp for the WBSC Americas U-18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier in the Dominican Republic. Photo: Baseball Canada
October 24, 2022
Baseball Canada
GUERRA, Dominican Republic - The Junior National Team opened selection camp with a 1-1 tie against the Boston Red Sox Dominican Instructional League squad in preparation for the WBSC Americas U-18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier.
Veteran pitcher Reece Usselman (Langley, BC) started for the JNT, working two scoreless frams, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out two. The left-hander’s performance was followed by two, strong three-inning outings by Michael Yusypchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) and Tate Carey (Windsor, Ont.). Both right-handers allowed only two hits each. Carey had everything working for him, collecting seven strikeouts despite allowing a run to cross on a dropped third strike play to tie the action at one.
Ty Hamilton (Orleans, Ont.) toed the rubber in the ninth, allowing no hits and two walks, while striking out one, to close out the game.
The Juniors got off to a good start offensively, scoring their only run in the first inning thanks to a Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, N.S.) RBI single that scored Jorge Valdes (Milton, Ont.) who had walked earlier in the inning. Brendan Lawson (North York, Ont.) had a notable performance, collecting a double in three at bats as well as Keegan O’Hearn (Oshawa, Ont.) who finished the day 2-for-3 with a pair of hard singles.
***
From October 24 to November 1, the Junior National Team program will play eight games against seven different MLB Professional Academies in the Dominican Republic.
The exhibition contests are in preparation for the WBSC Americas U18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier that will take place in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico from November 4 to November 14.
The top four countries in the 12-team tournament will earn a spot in the 2023 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan.