JNT's U-18 Pan Am Championship opener against Puerto Rico suspended due to darkness
The Junior National Team’s opening game of the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship was suspended due to darkness on Thursday with Puerto Rico leading 5-2 in the fifth inning. Photo: Baseball Canada
October 22, 2026
Baseball Canada
BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic - The Junior National Team’s opening game of the 2026 WBSC Americas U-18 Pan American Championship was suspended due to darkness on Thursday with Puerto Rico holding a 5-2 lead after the top of the fifth inning.
Canada and Puerto Rico traded scoreless opening frames before Puerto Rico broke through with five runs in the bottom of the second. A pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt set the table before three consecutive bases-loaded walks brought in runs.
Puerto Rico then capped the inning with a two-run single to pull ahead 5-0.
The Juniors responded in the third. Taye Thierman (Calgary, Alta.) singled up the middle before Sam Ellis (La Pêche, Que.) doubled to deep left to put two runners in scoring position. Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) brought Thierman home on a ground out for Canada’s first run before Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) reached on an error that allowed Ellis to score, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Canada’s pitching staff settled in from there. Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) worked out of the second inning and kept Puerto Rico off the board through the third before Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) entered in the fourth and stranded two runners to preserve the three-run deficit.
The Juniors generated another opportunity in the fourth when Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) walked and Thierman was hit by a pitch, but Puerto Rico escaped without allowing a run.
Armitage drew a walk and stole second in the fifth, but the inning ended with Canada still trailing 5-2.
Play was suspended following the top of the fifth inning due to darkness. The game is scheduled to resume Friday following the conclusion of Canada’s game against Panama, scheduled for 12 p.m. E.T.