U-18 Men's Softball World Cup: Alex McGillivray two-run homer, Nicholas Neid pitching gem give Canada the bronze medal
A clutch two-run home run off the bat of Alex McGillivray in the bottom of the sixth, and a stellar pitching performance by Nicholas Neid, gave Canada the bronze medal at the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup. Canada defeated USA in the Bronze Medal Game, 2-1, and clinched their sixth bronze medal (and ninth overall) in the history of the tournament.
A clutch two-run home run off the bat of Alex McGillivray in the bottom of the sixth, and a stellar pitching performance by Nicholas Neid, gave Canada the bronze medal at the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup. Canada defeated USA in the Bronze Medal Game, 2-1, and clinched their sixth bronze medal (and ninth overall) in the history of the tournament.
"It feels really good to win a medal for our country", said McGillivray after the game. "It's not the main medal, but it feels pretty good."
The game was a pitching duel between Neid and USA's Cody Gibbons. The Canadian hurler ended the game with 11 strikeouts, while giving up four hits and five walks. On the other hand, Gibbons surrendered two runs on three hits, while striking out six.
USA scored took the lead in the top of the first inning, on an infield hit from Wylie Baumer to plate Logan boom. It would be USA's only run of the game.
Canada took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Adrian Green drew a one-out walk to put the potential tying run on base. Three pitches later, Mc Gillivray sent a Gibbons pitch over the left field fence, to give Canada the lead.
"I was down 0-2 in the count, so I was just looking for a pitch near and swing at it," commented McGillivray. "Luckily it went well."
This is Canada's first medal in the competition since 2016, when they won bronze in Midland.
A clutch two-run home run off the bat of Alex McGillivray in the bottom of the sixth, and a stellar pitching performance by Nicholas Neid, gave Canada the bronze medal at the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup. Canada defeated USA in the Bronze Medal Game, 2-1, and clinched their sixth bronze medal (and ninth overall) in the history of the tournament.
The game was a pitching duel between Neid and USA's Cody Gibbons. The Canadian hurler ended the game with 11 strikeouts, while giving up four hits and five walks. On the other hand, Gibbons surrendered two runs on three hits, while striking out six.
How it happened
Bottom 6th - With one runner on, Alex McGillivray hit a towering home run to left field to give Canada a 2-1 lead!
Top 5th - With two runner on, USA's Brody Von Berge struck out to end the inning. USA has left eight men on base through five innings.
It's a close pitching duel between Nicholas Neid (CAN) and Cody Gibbons (USA). After four innings, the Canadian starter struck out six and walked three, giving up two hits and one run. The US ace has received one hit, while striking out four. He has walked two. The game is still 1-0.
Top 3rd - USA put runners on first and second with two outs, but Canada's pitcher Nicholas Neid struck out Brody Von Berge to end the inning. USA still leading 1-0. Alex McGillivray made a nice leaping catch for the second out.
Top 1st - USA jump ahead in the scoreboard. Logan Boom drew a lead-off walk and moved to third on a single from Braden Ducharme. He scored on an infield hit from Wylie Baumer to second base. USA in front, 1-0.
Preview - Canada and USA face off today at the Fernando Ortiz stadium for a bronze medal at the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup. This is the first time in history of the competition that the two North American neighbours meet in a medal game. The game will start at 2 p.m..
Canada is the second nation with more medals in this event with eight, five of them bronze. They are looking to win a medal again after seven years, since their last podium was in Midland 2016. Canada's only World Title was in 1993.
USA, Canada rival in the Bronze Medal Game, has collected two medals in the history of the event, both of them silvers in the first two editions of the tournament in 1981 and 1985. Now, 38 years later, they want to be back in the podium.