PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – A pair of local players helped Team Canada secure top spot in Group B at the world junior men’s fastpitch championship.
Rowan Sears, of Brookfield, and David Watson, of Milford, both played a big role in Canada’s 8-5 win over New Zealand on Tuesday evening in front of a large crowd at Prime Ministers’ Park Field.
Sears, Canada’s starting shortstop, worked two walks, was hit by a pitch, had an RBI and scored a run to contribute to the offence. Watson was the winning pitcher. After giving up two runs in the first inning, he settled in and held New Zealand off the scoreboard in the second and third. He allowed a lead-off homer in the fourth before he was replaced by Owen Torrie with Canada leading the game 6-3. Watson allowed five hits and struck out two.
The win improved Canada’s record to 4-0 while New Zealand dropped to 3-1, guaranteeing a first-place finish in Pool B for Team Canada. The red and white had the day off on Wednesday, and will complete the preliminary round-robin portion of its schedule against Hong Kong (0-4) on Thursday evening.
Also on Tuesday, Nathan Landry of Indian Brook pitched an absolute gem, spinning a one-hitter to lead the United States to a 3-0 win over Guatemala.
Landry dominated the Guatemalan lineup and struck out 14.
Sears, Watson and Landry are teammates with the Colchester Royals U-19 team.
