Rivard homers, Mills shines in JNT's MLB draft series loss
Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) crosses the plate after his leadoff home run for the Junior National Team in their MLB Draft League International Series game against the Aberdeen IronBirds on Saturday. Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.), right, congratulates Rivard after the homer. Photo: Baseball Canada
June 13, 2026
Baseball Canada
The Junior National Team struck first but fell 7–1 to the Aberdeen IronBirds in the second game of their MLB Draft League International Series at Ripken Stadium.
Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) gave Canada an immediate spark, leading off the game with a solo home run to right field to put the Juniors in front 1–0.
Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) collected the only other hit for the Juniors later in the inning with a single to left, stealing second and third before Canada was unable to cash in with the bases loaded.
On the mound, Josh Mills (Leduc, Alta.) turned in a strong start for Canada, working four scoreless innings while striking out three. He worked around traffic in the second inning and continued to keep Aberdeen off the board with help from the defence, including a clutch diving force-out up the middle by Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, Ont.).
Damarcus Rideout-Carter (Brampton, Ont.) followed with a scoreless fifth before the IronBirds broke through with two runs in the sixth and added five more in the seventh. Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) came on in relief and helped limit further damage, punching out a pair of batters across the final innings.
The Juniors will be back at Ripken Stadium on Sunday with a quick turnaround for a 2:00 p.m. E.T. start in the series finale.