Canadian big leaguer and Junior National Team graduate Russell Martin led a Blue Jays big league contingent that was in the lineup as the Adam Hall and his Canada Junior National Teammates played their annual spring training contest against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The juniors hung on through the early part of the game but couldn’t hold the Blue Jays offense in check as they fell, 16-0.
The score aside, it was a thrill for the Canadian high school kids who faced players that they would normally see on TV in Steve Pearce, Darwin Barney, Ezequiel Carrera, while Jays top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was also in the lineup.
“It was something I’ll never forget,” said Junior National Team starting pitcher Wesley Moore. “You see these guys on TV and now to face them is something that will be pretty special looking back.”
Moore held his own on the mound going four inning, three of which were scoreless frames, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks.
“It probably took me until the second inning before I really felt comfortable on the mound,” added Moore. “I felt better as the game went along and was able to throw my pitches for strikes.”
The juniors managed five hits including two from Michael Stovman and Clayton Keyes, who had two doubles and Cooper Davis who had a single. Stovman also tossed a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout.
The Jays lineup also included Canadian Mike Reeves who represented Canada just two weeks ago in the World Baseball Classic, and Toronto native Conor Panas. Saint John, New Brunswick’s Andrew Case tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
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