U18 World Cup Qualifier: Canada falls to USA

The Junior National Team fell behind early and couldn’t recover, losing 10-4 to the United States at the WBSC Americas U18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday. Photo: Baseball Canada

November 8, 2022

Baseball Canada

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico – The Junior National Team fell behind early and couldn’t recover, losing 10-4 to the United States at the WBSC Americas U18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday.

With the loss, Canada finishes in fourth-place in Group B with a 1-3 record and will not qualify for the Super Round.

Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue (St-Pie, Que.) started for the Juniors and allowed five earned runs in the first inning. He also struck out two batters in the frame.

Matthew Brown (Carlisle, Ont.) came on in relief in the second and proceeded to permit three earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, while fanning four. Benjamin Soke (New Maryland, N.B.) put a stop to the bleeding in the middle innings. He held the U.S. scoreless for 1 1/3 innings and struck out four out of the seven hitters he faced. Matthew Donnison (Niagara Falls, Ont.) was the last Canadian out of the bullpen. He permitted two runs on two hits, while striking out three, in the final two frames.

Jorge Valdes (Milton, Ont.) sparked the Juniors’ offence with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. Valdes would finish 3-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs. Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, N.S.) also had a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) had a perfect day at the dish. He went 1-for-1 with three walks and an RBI.

Canada will now play Peru on Thursday and Cuba on Saturday in placement round games.