Piasentin's two-run single lifts Team Black to comeback win

Coquitlam Reds infielder Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, B.C.) had a two-run single to help Team Black complete a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Team Red at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night. Photo: Zach Friedman

September 20, 2023

By Zulfi Sheikh

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO -- Tim Piasentin’s two-run single helped Team Black complete a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Team Red at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.

It was Team Black’s first victory of the tournament.

Having made his way to Toronto from his hometown of Coquitlam, B.C., Piasentin felt the three-hour time difference played in his favour during tonight’s late contest.

“I have a little bit of an advantage,” said the 16-year-old. “It doesn’t feel that late for me…I was just trying to hit the ball hard, drive in some runs and help the team win.”

Piasentin’s game-winning hit drove in Dylan Chopp (Calgary, Alta.) and Aaron Hicks (Fredericton, N.B.), meanwhile Team Black’s other two runs came from Lucas Alberti (Toronto, Ont.) and Noah Cantwell (Cambridge, Ont.).

Starting pitcher Zac Foden (Edmonton, Alta.) pitched three innings for the squad and gave up two runs on four walks and a strikeout.

On the other side, Team Red’s pair of runs came courtesy of Tristan DesRochers (Barrie, Ont.) and Sam Byers (Ottawa, Ont.).

It was starting pitcher Rueben Malamed (Toronto, Ont.) who led the way for the team in its first loss of the tournament, as he pitched three scoreless innings, giving up one hit with two walks and two strikeouts.

Team Black’s first run of the contest came in the bottom of the fourth inning when an errant pitch by Jacob Sigouin (St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que.) – who came in for Team Red at the start of the frame – hit Joey Marino with the bases loaded, scoring Alberti.

Not long after that, trailing 2-1, Team Black took the lead by way of Piasentin’s single to right field that drove in Chopp and Hicks to give his team a 3-2 lead.

Team Black added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to Alberti, whose single scored Cantwell.

Hank Vandermeer (Milton, Ont.) worked the final two innings for Team Black and was efficient, getting the job done in just 14 pitches. For him, competing against the best prospects in the country was an opportunity of a lifetime, but his approach to the game remained the same.

“At the end of the day it’s about winning ball games,” said Vandermeer after he pitched two scoreless innings and collected a strikeout. “When your mindset is to try and win and try and compete, it brings out the best in you as a player.”

Vandermeer returns to action with Team Black, hoping to make it two in a row as they take on Team Grey at 7:00 pm E.T. on Thursday.