Baseball Canada: Miller homers to lead JNT to win over Padres DSL squad

From left to right: Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.), Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) and Will Zielinski (Victoria, B.C.) were standouts for the Junior National Team in their 7-3 win over the San Diego Padres DSL squad on Wednesday. Photo: Baseball Canada

May 20, 2026

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team took command early and earned a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres DSL squad in their last game of the Dominican Pro Academy Camp on Wednesday.

After falling behind on a solo home run in the bottom of the first, the Juniors answered quickly in the second. Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) was hit by a pitch before Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) delivered the big swing, launching a two-run home run to left field to give Canada a 2–1 lead.

Canada added to their lead in the fifth when Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) reached on an error, moved around the bases, and scored on a RBI ground out from Miller. The Juniors kept applying pressure in the sixth, loading the bases before Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.) worked a walk to bring home Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, B.C.) and make it 4–1.

The Padres got one back in the seventh, but Canada responded again late adding a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth to reach the 7-3 final.

On the mound, Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) opened the game for Canada and recorded three strikeouts through the early innings. Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) followed in relief before Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.) and Will Zielinski (Victoria, B.C.) helped close things out, with Zielinski striking out two over the final two innings.