Difficult start at nationals
Tough inning causes Sooners to fall to 0-2 at Junior Little League Championship
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — One difficult inning was the deciding factor in Game 2 of the Canadian Junior Little League Championship for the Cape Breton Sooners.
The Sooners (0-2) gave up eight runs in the fourth inning on their way to a 14-4 loss to Ontario (2-0) in Sunday action at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge, Alta.
Prior to the big inning, Ontario led the game 5-4 with Cape Breton scoring three runs in the top of the first and a single run in the second inning.
Nelson Kaluza recorded three hits and three RBI, while Evan Tao and David Kelly both drove home a pair of runs for the Ontario club.
Brody Walker led the way for Cape Breton with two hits, including a double, in three at bats.
On the mound, Charlie MacDougall claimed the win, allowing three runs on four hits over one inning of work, striking out one and walking one.
Meanwhile, Cohen McNeil was tagged with the loss, giving up four hits and give runs while striking out one.
Cape Breton opened the tournament on Saturday with a 15-3 loss to British Columbia (1-0) in four innings.
Nick Wong powered the offence for B.C. with three hits and four RBI, while Neo Foster recorded two hits and four RBI.
Walker, McNeil, Carter Ford, Gavin Noble, and Gaige Marsh each posted a hit for the Cape Breton club.
Foster picked up the win on the mound allowing only three hits and two runs over three innings work, while striking out four and walking one.
Coby Meade surrendered eight runs on six hits over one and two-thirds innings and was tagged with the loss. Noble, McNeil, Kale MacDonald and Regan Cousins also pitched in relief of Meade in the contest.
Following a day off from tournament play on Monday, Cape Breton will return to the field today when they play Quebec at 6 p.m. Atlantic time.