An outstanding start from Victorian hurler Jackson Boyd set the tone as Australia’s U18 World Cup side claimed a 5-2 win over Canada in Toronto.
Boyd looked in control throughout his five innings on the mound, scattering two hits and striking out six in Australia’s fifth warm-up game of the pre-U18 World Cup tour of Toronto.
Canadian starter E. Cerantola looked strong through two, however some good team baseball from Australia broke the scoreless deadlock. Rixon Wingrove reached on an error, before a perfect sacrifice bunt from fellow New South Welshman Jake Amos moved him into scoring position. Victorian Jordan Barnett did the rest, doubling to left field to score his team’s first run of the ballgame.
WA’s Jess Williams then doubled the advantage, with a line drive triple to extend the lead.
Manager Steve Fish was pleased with the overall performance.
“Jackson Boyd was outstanding today,” Fish said.
"He made some huge pitches late in counts and really kept hitters guessing. Offensively we're grinding out at-bats and did the little things well today. The resilience of the group has been fantastic so far this tour, and we'll take that momentum into the World Cup”
Canberra’s Mitch Edwards executed a perfect squeeze play to drive in Alex Hall and tack on another for the Australians, before an error saw a pair of runs cross the plate, and in the blink of an eye it was a five run ballgame.
Canada claimed their first two runs in the sixth, before Lochlan Southee settled things nicely, consistently hitting his spots and finishing with 2.2 scoreless innings.
The host-nation threatened with the tying run in the batters box in the final frame, however Liam Holm kept his nerve to record the save and Australia's third win in as many games.