Baseball Canada: MacDonald goes deep to lead JNT to win over Jays
Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) crosses home plate after belting the Junior National Team’s first home run of their extended spring camp. He is greeted by JNT teammate Will Zielinski (Victoria, B.C.). Photo: Baseball Canada
April 18, 2026
By Nicklaus Korim
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays EXT 3-1 on Saturday for their first win of their extended spring camp.
The pitching was outstanding for the Juniors, holding the Jays to one run.
RHP Calum Anderson (Calgary, Alta.) started and struck out two in three scoreless innings.
RHP Lucas St-Laurent (Ascot Corner, Que.) and RHP Damarcus Rideau-Carter (Brampton, Ont.) followed Anderson, each throwing two innings before RHP Austin Blair (Victoria, B.C.) closed out the contest with two scoreless frames to earn the save.
Offensively, the JNT took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
First baseman Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) led the JNT offence, driving in the first run of the game on a sac fly and then later belting the JNT’s first home run of their extended spring camp.
INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, B.C.) also had a good day at the dish, going 1-for-2 with a single, a stolen base and a run.
OF Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) continues to find his way on base; he finished 1-for-3.
The JNT’s next game will be on Monday when they play the Jays EXT at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex again.