Neufeld: Zielinski, Schwood and White combine on one-hit shutout in opener

The Toronto Blue Jays Future Academy got underway Thursday night at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium.Photos _ Armana Thapar.

By Abbey Neufeld

UBC Journal

VANCOUVER, BC _The 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase is officially underway at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in beautiful British Columbia.

Home to the Vancouver Canadians, the stadium is welcoming 150 of Canada’s brightest prospects from all corners of the country to compete in a four-day showing.

Events got underway Thursday with Scout Day before the competition officially began with the Team New Blue shutting out Team Red 5-0.

Will Zielinski (Victoria, BC) opened the game on the mound for New Blue, which was closed out scoreless by an impressive catch from shortstop Will Henzi (Victoria, BC).

The bottom of the first began with Jackson Becker (Nepean, Ont.) pitching for Red. William Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) ledING off by getting to second on an error. He later came around to score the first run of the showcase thanks to a pair of subsequent hits from teammates Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) and Zach Macdonald (Lacombe, Alta.).

After Zielinski pitched another flawless inning, New Blue captured another run when Juan Cruz (Mississauga, Ont.) drove in Henzi for the game’s second run.

Neither team scored in the third, then New Blue added to their lead when De Santis reached base on an error, bringing home Cruz.

New Blue finished out their scoring in the fifth inning as Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.) scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and Henzi scored on a sacrifice fly from Cruz.

The trio of Zielinski, Marshall Schwood (Hamilton, Ont.) and Brydon White (Surrey, BC) combined to allow one hit while striking out eight.

Following their victory, Henzi spoke to the excitement felt in the dugout. Admitting to some first-game nerves, Henzi noted the importance of prioritizing the process at hand and staying present.

“I want to focus on making the memories here, not just where this might get me [...] We get to meet people from all over the country that we wouldn’t get to meet otherwise.”

He went on to mention the good feeling he had about their team and the belief that they have a lot to offer, saying: “Everybody has worked hard and is a good guy.”

After securing the win, they’re in no rush to switch gears, Henzi plans to, “go out there, have fun, and play free.”

Team New Blue is back in action at 9 a.m. Friday against Team Gray, where they will look to add a game to the win column.