MacDonald has two hits, but JNT falls just short against O's at Selection Camp
From left to right: Joseph Perreira (Etobicoke, Ont.), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) and Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) were standouts for the Junior National Team in their 3-2 loss to a team of Baltimore Orioles prospects at the WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp on Monday. Photo: Baseball Canada
October 19, 2026
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team battled back from an early deficit but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles FIL in U18 Pan American Championship Selection Camp action on Monday.
After two scoreless innings, Baltimore opened the scoring in the third. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases before a two-run single gave the Orioles a 2-0 advantage.
Canada cut into the lead in the fifth. Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) drew a leadoff walk before Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) and Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) followed with singles to load the bases. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) then delivered a line-drive single to right to bring Jacob home and make it a one-run game.
The Canadian pitching staff kept the Orioles off the board over the next four innings to give the offence a chance to work its way back. Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC) led the pitching staff effort, each with two scoreless frames and each collecting two strikeouts in their outings.
The Juniors pulled even in the bottom of the seventh. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt and a wild pitch before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) lined an RBI single to centre to tie the game, 2-2.
Baltimore regained the lead in the eighth, taking advantage of a pair of Canadian errors to push across an unearned run.
Canada threatened once more in the bottom half when MacDonald opened the inning with a double to left, but the Orioles retired the next three hitters to preserve the 3-2 win.
MacDonald finished with two hits, including the eighth-inning double, while Armitage and Thierman each drove in a run. Canada’s pitching staff allowed just three runs while keeping the Juniors within striking distance throughout the game.
The Canadians are back on Tuesday for their final game of the Selection Camp ahead of the U18 Pan American Championship set to start later this week.