Canada Wins the Bronze Medal at the
2023 WBSC U18 Men’s Softball World Cup!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20th, 2023
Hermosillo, Mexico – The Canadian U18 Men’s National Team took home the bronze medal at the WBSC U18 Men’s World Cup by defeating the United States 2-1 in another thrilling comeback victory at Fernando M. Ortiz Stadium. Nic Neid (Terrace, B.C.) fired a four-hitter and struck out 11 batters, while Alex McGillivray (Durham, Ont.) hit a game-winning two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth to give Canada the win.
Team USA wasted no time scoring their run, as their leadoff batter drew a walk, moved up to second on a ground out and to third on a single before scoring on an infield single behind second base. The pitching took over from there, with the next hit being Canada’s first hit of the game off Cody Gibbons when Joe Weiler (Hepworth, Ont.) hit a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth but was left stranded when the next batter grounded out to first.
In the fifth, Cam Weatherbee (Brookfield, N.S.) hit a two-out single and advanced to second on a wild pitch but a strikeout ended the inning. Neid struck out the side in the top of the sixth before Canada struck in the bottom of the inning. Adrian Green (Carbonear, N.L.) worked a one-out walk before McGillivray stepped up and launched a two-run blast over the left field fence to put Canada on top.
The United States battled back in the top of the seventh by loading the bases on a walk and two singles, but Neid struck out the last batter looking on a changeup to finish the game.
Box Score: Canada 2 vs. United States 1
Neid earned the complete game win by allowing only one run on four hits and five walks along with 11 strikeouts, and McGillivray’s homerun was all the offence Canada needed. Weiler and Weatherbee each had a single to round out Canada’s three hits.
The win earned Canada the bronze medal at the event, their first since winning bronze in 2016. Later in the evening, Japan hit a walk off grand slam to defeat Mexico 8-4 in eight innings to earn their second consecutive gold medal.
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For more information, please contact:
Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Operations
Softball Canada
m: (613) 795-1996
w: www.softball.ca | e: gleblanc@softball.ca
