Hart a two-way star in Futures' win over Prairies

Jameson Hart  (Sarnia, Ont.) of the Great Lake Canadians, was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in a 4-1 win for Futures Navy. Photo Credit: Jonathan Soveta  

By: Connor Dorion

Canadian Baseball Network

Jameson Hart was able to do it all on the field during Day Two of Tournament 12.

The 16-year-old played right field, designated hitter, and closed the game on the mound for the Futures Navy team, who took down the Prairies Purple 4-1 Wednesday night.

Hart finished the game going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base, one of six total by the young Futures team.

“We have a lot of aggressive players that come from well-coached, aggressive teams,” Hart said about the game plan coming in. “We're not just here to show off our skills, we're here to win this as the underdogs.”

The Great Lake Canadians player would finish his busy night on the mound for the Futures team, giving up one run off two hits.

Futures (2-1) second-baseman Noah Naylor had a great night at the plate as well, going 1-for-1 with a triple and three walks, scoring twice.

After a double over the left fielder's head, Prairies Purple (2-1) designated hitter Travis Horanski, came into score on an RBI single to left off the bat of Dylan Flasch.

Navy starting pitcher Conner Angel was relieved of his duties after four shutout innings, giving up only a single hit to the Prairies.

His counterpart, Zach Demchenko, was pulled after giving up three runs off two hits and seven walks through three innings of work.

Rhys Cratty got it started for the Futures team in the bottom of the first, stealing both second and third base after drawing a walk off the Prairies right-hander.

The hurler would eventually walk the following two batters to load the bases for Hart, who was able to capitalize, driving in a pair of runs on a ground ball up the middle to open the scoring.

“I wasn't trying to put one over the fence,” said Hart after the game. “I was just trying to put the ball in play with nobody out.”

Futures Navy's next game will come on Thursday against the defending champions from Quebec, a rematch from Tuesday.

“They beat us, but we're going to take them down,” Hart said confidently. “We've got to try and keep off the base, they have a lot of good players on the team.”