Fuladi: Nikkel’s blast puts stamp on New Blue’s Day 2 victory over Grey
Vauxhall Academy outfielder Hudson Nikkel (Stanley, Man.) is congratulated by his coach while rounding third base after hitting the first home run of the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase on Friday morning. Photo: Mark Zhuang
September 18, 2026
By Darius Fuladi
BCIT
VANCOUVER - Early action on Day 2 of the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase saw Team New Blue secure a hard fought 3-1 win over Team Grey.
Leadoff hitter Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) showed off some serious speed, stealing his way to third after reaching first on a hit-by-pitch. With the runner 90 feet from scoring, Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) drove one into left field for an RBI single to put New Blue up by one early.
Grey quickly responded in the bottom of the first when Arnold Ohanian (Laval, Que.) tied the game with a liner to left field, scoring Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) from second.
New Blue kept threatening in the top of the second. With runners in scoring position, Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.) grounded out to second to bring Hudson Nikkel (Stanley, Man.) home, making it 2-1 New Blue.
After three innings of scoreless ball, Nikkel hammered the first home run of the tournament in the top of the sixth inning to seal the game for New Blue. He took home Player of the Game honours, finishing 2-for-3 and adding a stolen base.
“I was just trying to be on time for the fastball, get my first hit of the tournament and just ran into one there, and you just got to be grateful for stuff like that,” said Nikkel about his big play.
Nikkel says Team New Blue is hoping to continue to build on the momentum of winning their first two games of the tournament.
“We're just going to keep it rolling, keep the spirits high. I think we got a lot of chemistry in the dugout, and I think that leads to good plays on the field.”
New Blue pitchers Tyson Dyck (Calgary, Alta.), Brody McCready (Brantford, Ont.) and MacDonald gave up just one hit and one walk each. Dyck and McCready combined for eight strikeouts over five innings.
Team Grey wouldn’t go down without a fight though. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, they threatened to tie the game with Alekk Biasone (Québec, Que.) on third and Alex McGrath (St. John’s, Nfld.) as the potential tying run at the plate. But MacDonald stepped in to pitch and earned the save after McGrath flied out to Nikkel in right field.
In their next games, New Blue will face Team Royal (6 p.m. P.T.) and Team Grey will face Team Black (9 p.m. P.T.) Friday.