Pan Am Qualifier: Canada bests Panama in an extra-innings thriller
Okotoks Dawgs alum Matt Lloyd (Toronto, Ont.) belted a two-run home run in the first inning in Canada’s 6-5 win over Panama in the first game of the Pan Am Games Qualifier in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Friday. Photo: Baseball Canada
June 16, 2023
Baseball Canada
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Canada won their first game of the WBSC Americas Pan Am Qualifier against Panama, 6-5, in extra innings on Friday.
The Canadians came out on top despite being outhit seven to five in a back-and-forth battle.
When it mattered, however, the Canadians came through, scoring two runs in the top of the eighth inning (a regulation game is seven innings) while holding off Panama in the bottom half to secure the victory.
Matt Lloyd (Toronto, Ont.) set the tone for the Canada with two hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning to give Canada the early lead. Jordan Procyshen (Calgary, Alta.) also smashed a two-run shot to tie the game in the sixth.
David Glaude (Québec, Que.) had a clutch RBI single in the top of the eighth inning that knocked in what proved to be the winning run for Canada.
Michael Brettell (Fonthill, Ont.) and RJ Freure (Burlington, Ont.) took care of the late innings for Canada. They didn’t allow a hit or an earned run in their combined three innings.
Canada will now face host Argentina on Saturday at 2pm E.T.
The game can be seen live on YouTube.
Website: WBSC Americas Pan Am Games Qualifier