Team Canada, representing Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), defeated Lithuania, 25-0, at Skokani-Olomouc Stadium, in Olomouc, CZ. Team Canada improves to 1-2 at the 4th annual World University Baseball Championships while Lithuania falls to 0-4.
Canada came out strong and took control of the game from the first pitch as veteran Adam Reynolds (Guelph) retired the side with the help of catcher Jeff Vickers (Lamar) throwing out a runner trying to steal second on the third play of the game. Canada quickly went to work offensively as they scored twice in the first and added six more in the second and never looked back as they won by 25 runs, the team’s largest margin of victory in the three World University Games Canada has participated in.
There were many offensive stars tonight, led by Jon Syrnyk (British Columbia), who was one of four players to knock in 4 runs. Syrnyk hit three doubles, scored three runs and stole a base, in addition to his four runs batted in. Ken Fuglerud (Saint Mary’s) continued to lead Canada in runs batted in as he added four to his total, giving him 10 after 3 games. The outfielder scored three times, on 3 hits and nearly threw a base runner out at first from Right Field. Mike Glinka (Waterloo) also drove in 4 runs, on 3 hits and reached base four times in the victory over Lithuania.
Overall the offense was clicking on all cylinders as they broke 6 different Team Canada records for the World University Games tournament. “I was very happy with our hitters tonight,” said Terry McKaig, Head Coach. “When you know the pitcher is going to throw at a velocity of 75 to 80 miles per hour, you hit back up the middle and that is exactly what everyone in the lineup did tonight.”
Reynolds was just what Pitching Coach Shawn Corness (British Columbia) needed tonight, a strong outing by Team Canada’s starting pitcher to rest the bullpen for the stretch run for a medal position against South Korea, USA and host Czech Republic. “Adam gave us 6 solid innings and enable us to basically give the bullpen the night off.” said McKaig. Reynolds struck out 8 batters, giving up two singles and walk over his 6 innings. Opening night starter, Thain Simon (Santa Clara) pitched the 7th inning, striking out two of the three men he faced.
In International Baseball rules, the “mercy rule” does take effect, if one team has a ten run or more lead after 7 innings the game is called. It is the second straight night Lithuania lost by the “mercy rule” falling to the USA, 30-0.
Reynolds and Glinka play for teams that compete in Ontario University Athletics (OUA). They have a five week season in September-early October, followed by playoffs in mid-October. Reynolds had a record of 1-4, 2.25 ERA, with a pretty-good 42 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched last fall for the Gryphons. Glinka hit .400 with 20 RBI for the Warriors.
Team Canada will next face United States (3-0), on Tuesday, July 22nd, at AVG Draci Brno Stadium, at 6:00 PM (12:00 PM EDT).
David A. Kent, Communications Manager
