Tecumseh’s Austin Aulds would notch a 2-RBI double to give the Thunder all the runs they would need to defeat Sydney 2-1 Thursday morning (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart
With Game Capsules Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media

August 23, 2018, Victoria, BC – The 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s National Championship got underway Thursday morning with Quebec and Alberta posting impressive opening victories, Quebec defeating Newfoundland and Labrador 6-1 and Alberta thumping the Ilderton Red Army (Ontario 2) 8-0.  The highly favoured Tecumseh Thunder (Ontario 1) also began with a win, with a narrow 2-1 victory over the Sydney Schooners.

Quebec’s offense was led by a four hit morning from Danny Deschamps, with a pair of doubles, a home run and a single, while starter Etienne St. Amand pitched five strong innings, giving up just one run on three hits over five innings of work.

For Alberta, they used a 15-hit attack, including multiple hits from five different players to cruise to their win over Ilderton.

Quebec’s Etienne St Amand allowed just three hits and one run over five innings, striking out six in the win against Newfoundland Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

Action in the tournament continues Thursday with Manitoba and New Brunswick playing at 12 Noon at Lambrick Park (in progress at press time), Team BC (Coquitlam Angels) facing the Alberta at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium and Ontario 2 (Ilderton) taking on Quebec at Lambrick Park.  The feature game Thursday night features the host Victoria Mavericks taking on New Brunswick at 7:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium.

Tickets for games at Wilson’s Group Stadium are now available only at the Stadium box office, which is open all day during the tournament – 1014 Caledonia Avene.

Game Summaries

Quebec – 6   Newfoundland – 1

Four hits from Dany Deschamps paved the way to victory for Quebec over  Newfoundland and Labrador 6-1 on Thursday. Deschamps singled in the first, doubled in the second, homered in the fourth, and doubled in the sixth.

Quebec shortstop Cedric Vallieres makes the play (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Newfoundland and Labrador got things moving in the first inning, when starter Etienne St Amand threw a wild pitch allowing one run across the plate for Newfoundland and Labrador.  St Amand settled down after that,  allowing just three hits and one run over five innings, striking out six.

Greg Barry led things off on the mound for Newfoundland and Labrador. He allowed eight hits and five runs over four innings, striking out two and walking one. Sean Janes and Matt Murphy entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning each respectively.

Quebec racked up 12 hits total on the day. Deschamps, Jean Luc Blaquiere, and Douglas Toro each had multiple hits for Quebec. Deschamps led Quebec with four hits in four at bats. Quebec was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error.

Quebec came out swinging and jumped all over Newfoundland pitching for 12 hits, including four by Danny Deschamps, en route to the 6-1 win.  Jean Luc Blaquiere also had three hits for Quebec, while Etienne St. Amand pitched 5 strong innings, allowing just three hits.  Mathieu Boutin pitched two scoreless and hit-less innings in relief.

Alberta (Red Deer Riggers)  – 8  Ontario 2 (Ilderton Red Army) – 0

Ilderton (Ontario 2)  fell behind early and couldn’t come back in an 8-0 loss to the Red Deer Riggers (Alberta) on Thursday. Alberta took the lead on a JP Wilner RBI-single in the first inning, then put the game away with five more runs.

A single by Mitch Lumley in the first inning was a positive for Ilderton.

Josh Edwards was the winning pitcher for Alberta. He surrendered zero runs on seven hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one.  Jordan Townshend took the loss for Ilderton (ON2). He allowed 11 hits and eight runs over four and a third innings, striking out three.

Alberta totaled 15 hits on the day.  Shayne Court, Willner, Jaret Chatwood, Jason Chatwood, and Aaron Dunsmore all had multiple hits for Alberta.

Ontario 1 (Tecumseh) – 2  Nova Scotia (Sydney Sooners) – 1

Nova Scotia (Sydney Sooners) fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 2-1 loss to Ontario 1 (Tecumseh Thunder)on Thursday.  Tecumseh took the lead on a double in the second inning.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Tecumseh pitchers struck out four, while Nova Scotia sat down seven.

Sydney’s Justin Davies took the tough loss Thursday, giving up just two runs to Tecumseh in his full seven innings of work (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Tecumseh opened up scoring in the second inning, when AUSTIN OULDS doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

BILLY MARTIN was credited with the victory for Tecumseh. He surrendered one run on five hits over six innings, striking out three and walking zero. KYLE BREITNER threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. BREITNER recorded the last three outs to earn the save.

Justin Davies took the loss for Nova Scotia. He lasted seven full innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out seven.

It was high fives for Tecumseh as they closed out a 2-1 nail-biting win against Sydney Thursday morning (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Nova Scotia racked up six hits. Sean Ferguson and Jordan Shepherd all had multiple hits for the Sooners. Ferguson went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Nova Scotia in hits.  OULDS led the Thunder with two hits in three at bats.