Batiste, De Santis, Ellis, Hudel, Jacob, Lehouillier all go deep as Canadian Premier starts 2-0

Ontario Blue Jays slugger Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a grand slam for Canada Premier

October 7, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

As Blue Jays talented broadcaster Jerry Howarth used to say “they have their hitting shoes on today,” or “Dr. Longball has come to the SkyDome.”

Canadian Premier managed five home runs in a 13-5 win over the Kansas City Royals 2027 17U on Wednesday at the 28th annual 120-team World Wood Bat championship in Jupiter, Fla.

And if that was not enough, Canadian Premier opened with a 5-2 win over Canes National, thanks to a two-run homer by Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) in the bottom of the seventh when trailing 2-1.

Canadian Premier was dominant from the start: an Evan Walker (Ajax, Ont.) single, two walks and two hit-by-pitches had Canadian Premier up 2-0 with the bases loaded.

One out later, up came Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.). The former Home Run Derby winner took a 2-2 pitch over the right field fence for a grand slam.

Ottawa-Nepean Canadians Sam Ellis (La Peche, Ont.) belted a three-run homer.

He was not the only one of coach Jamie Romak’s lads to go deep: after an out and two more hit batters Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) hit a three-run homer for a nine-run first.

Batiste singled in the third and Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) hit a two-run homer to right making it 11-2.

And in the fourth, Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.) hit a 3-1 pitch out to right. He was followed by Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.) who also took a 2-1 pitch over the fence in right.

On the mound RHP Evan Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) started and pitched two innings allowing two runs on one walk. He fanned a pair in his 26-pitch outing (19 strikes).

RHP Owen McKinstry (Port Elgin, Ont.) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on three hits and two walks. He threw 38 pitches (23 strikes).

RHP Gabriel Lavoie (Mascouche, Que.) had a scoreless outing.

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To paraphrase Yogi Berra, it was getting late real early down there.

Canadian Premier trailed Canes National 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh.

And mighty Casey strode to the plate ... hold on a second it was actually Evan Walker. Walker (Ajax, Ont.) hit a 3-2 pitch for a triple and the sun was shining brightly for Canadian Premier.

Ontario Blue Jays Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) homered for Canadian Premier.

An out later Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) hit a 1-2 pitch to right for a homer, a one-run lead and make it even brighter. Then William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) doubled and scored when Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.) did the same for a 4-2 lead.

Alex Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) tripled in the eighth and scored on a single by Samuel Ellis (La Peche, Que.).

Lucien Kovalcik (Burlington, Ont.), Max Covriga (Markham, Ont.) and Peyton Markwood (Puslinch, Ont.) combined on a three hitter while striking out 12.

Kovalcik started and worked three innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. He struck out four in his 37-pitch outing (25 strikes).

Next was Covriga who worked two scoreless without allowing a base runner as he struck out three. He threw 26 pitches (16 strikes).

Markwood pitched the final three innings, giving up a run on one hit and two walks. He fanned five as he threw 49 pitches (30 strikes).

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Canes National 18U knocked off Brewers Langley Blaze 8-4.

Langley Blaze’s Evan Maloney (Chilliwack, BC)

Evan Maloney (Chilliwack, BC), had the best day for Canadians with the Blaze. He hit a line drive up the middle, stole two bags and scored a run.

Fox Ferguson (Surrey, BC) a 10th grader from Cloverdale, had two good barrels, while Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) singled and knocked in a run.

RHP Lucas Sproule (Collingwood, Ont.) pitched one inning, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and three walks. He threw 44 pitches (61% strikes).

Other Canucks in action ...

LHP Antoine Boucher (Montreal, Que.) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless for the Chicago White Sox/New York Mets Scout Team. He allowed two hits and one walk. Boucher fanned three as he threw 33 pitches (19 strikes).