Mitchell McKay helped Canada clinch a crucial 5-3 win against New Zealand on Tuesday to remain in contention for a Super Round spot at the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup. McKay went 2-for-4 with two RBIs while Riley Manion went 5.1 innings with six strikeouts, while allowing four hits and three runs to earn the win.
In the second inning, infielder Mark Stack produced the first run of the game, where he connected a triple to the right field fence to plate Connor Brooks and give Canada a 1-0 lead.
However, New Zealand responded with two runs in the bottom half. Brock Attewell doubled in Floyd Nola, and then Brock Evans gave the lead to Canada with a grounder to plate Damon Creasy.
Canada tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth. Once again Stack was at the forefront of offence as brought in the run, this time with a sacrifice fly to left field, which Jordan Pomeroy scored. One inning later, with one out, Isaac Lefevbre stepped in the plate with a runner on second, giving Canada the lead with a triple down the left field line. One pitch later Lefevbre scored on a grounder to first base.
New Zealand reduced the deficit to one run in the bottom of the sixth. New Zealand loaded the bases with one out but could not tie the game. Riley Manion struck out Attewell, but then threw a wild pitch that allowed Huw Davies to score. He ended the threat forcing Xavier Sage to a fly to right field.
However, Isaac Lefevbre doubled and then easily scored the insurance run with a single up the middle by McKay in the top of the seventh.
Canada evened their record to 2-2 and will close the Opening Round against Israel on Wednesday. This is New Zealand’s first loss of the tournament. They will face undefeated side Japan in the final game of Group B.
