The US use the long ball, heart, guts to come from behind and beat Canada in dramatic night
Canada took a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but a couple of swings by Maxwell Clark and Kevin McGonigle reversed it. Blake Mitchell moved from catcher to pitcher and earned the save.
Group A leaders the United States needed their best effort to defeat Canada, 7-6, and remain undefeated. After falling behind and wasting six runners on base in consecutive innings, the US struck back with a home run by Maxwell Clark and a triple by Kevin McGonigle. Blake Mitchell moved from catcher to pitcher in the top of the seventh. Despite being hurt by a leadoff defensive error, he struck out the side and sealed the win.
World No. 12 Canada got to US starter Matthew Dallas in the top of the third thanks to back-to-back singles by catcher Hugh Pinkney and first baseman Sam Shaw to lead 4-1.
The US, ranked fifth in the world, cut Canada's lead to one by scoring in the bottom of the third and in the bottom of the fourth but left three runners on base in both at-bats.
A great stop by third baseman Colt Emerson couldn't prevent Canada's fifth run in the fifth but prevented more damage.
The hosts, who have won the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup nine times compared to Canada's lone triumph in 1991, used the opportunity as outfielder Maxwell Clark, the eighth batter in the order, tied the game with a home run in the bottom of the fifth. Second baseman Kevin McGonigle tripled to put the US ahead 6-5 before McGonigle scored himself on a wild pitch.
In the top of the seventh Canada loaded the bases against Mitchell. The catcher-turned-pitcher struck out Sam White, then walked in the sixth Canadian run. Mitchell then closed the game with back-to-back strike outs, getting Keegan O'Hearn and Tyrus Hall looking.
USA will now play Brazil (2-2) on Tuesday while Canada, looking for their first win of the tournament after three games, will take on South Africa (0-2)
Special Olympics athlete Matthew Burg threw the ceremonial first pitch at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota
Matthew Burg and ceremonial first pitch catcher Gavin Grahovac
USA starter Matthew Dallas
Canada gave the ball to Carson Latimer
Hugh Pinkney took Canada ahead in the third
Great defence kept the US in the game
Cameron Tilly worked 1.2 setup innings
Maxwell Clark homered in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game
Kevin Mc Gonigle tripled and put the US ahead
Blake Mitchell moved from catcher to pitcher in the top of the seventh
He allowed the sixth Canadian run, then struck out the side to seal the win
