麻豆社区

Not being able to defend the bunt burned Team Canada in a 12-6 loss to New Zealand last night.

The New Zealand Black Sox won by stringing together a solid game that saw them utilize both the small ball and long ball.

With the loss, Canada drops to 2-2 at the world championships, while New Zealand remains unbeaten at 4-0.

Tied 3-3, Canada鈥檚 infield defence fell apart in the top of the fourth, as the Black Sox sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six.

Starting pitcher Johnny鈥圔aker was yanked for ace Matt Wardrop, who couldn鈥檛 stop the bleeding, and was subsequently replaced by Eric Healey to start the sixth.

鈥淲e fell apart a little bit defensively,鈥濃�坰aid catcher Taylor Schubada, Canada鈥檚 only returning player from the 2012 tournament. 鈥淭hey made some good bunts, but we should be able to play those. We just fell asleep a little bit.鈥�

While bunts and speed helped New Zealand pile on the runs in the fourth, the Black Sox used the long ball early.

Cole Evans hit a two-run shot in the third to give him the tournament lead with two, while Eruera Drage jacked a second two-run shot for New Zealand just over centre-fielder Matt Pilon鈥檚 glove in the sixth.

Pilon leaped in an attempt to catch the ball, and proceeded to tumble over the outfield fence.

Black Sox pitcher Ethan Johnston pitched 3.2 innings in relief and recorded the save after striking out the side in the seventh.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e got good sticks 鈥� very, very good sticks,鈥� said the 18-year-old from Christchurch. 鈥淏ut our defence is just really strong.鈥�

As for New Zealand鈥檚 success at the plate, the pitcher with the dreadlocks said his team was amped up to beat the host squad after losing to them in a pre-tournament exhibition in Vancouver. The team performed the haka prior to the contest.

Canada鈥檚 head coach hinted that changes may be coming to the lineup in time for tonight鈥檚 important match against Australia.

鈥淭hey were putting the bunt down and we weren鈥檛 able to make the plays,鈥� Jim Jones said post-game. 鈥淐ollectively as a group on the infield, we have to step up and make those plays.鈥�

New Hamburg, Ont., pitcher Tyler Randerson, who started against the U.S. on Sunday, is slated to pitch tonight鈥檚 contest versus Australia, while Justin Ganie of Irma, Alta., may have earned himself a spot in the lineup after smacking a hard-hit double after entering the game as a pinchhitter in the sixth.

Justin Boyer hit a two-run homer for Canada in the bottom of the third to knot the game 3-3.

Canada needs to win tonight to stay in the playoff hunt, Jones said.

鈥淲e need to come up with a big game and that鈥檚 what we intend to do,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to lose two in a row,鈥� added Schubada. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be better next game. We all know that we鈥檙e better than that.鈥�

The top of the fourth inning saw several close calls go New Zealand鈥檚 way, causing Jones to hold a conversation with the first-base umpire.

鈥淲e needed a break,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚t was a good call from his part, I was just trying to get a little bit of time for our team (to calm down).鈥�

For video footage of New Zealand鈥檚 pre-game performance of the haka, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLQhLCIO9FI.