BASEBALL. The young guns of the Canadian Baseball Academy (ABC) learned the hard way against star pitcher Ryo Kohigashi and Brock Nutrite Lambert, Sunday, at Jacques-Desautels stadium.
At the end of a pitching duel that lasted just over 90 minutes, the Drummondville team signed a 3-1 victory. Composed of the best 17-year-old players in Quebec, the ABC team fought a good battle despite a few defensive errors.
Author of a full game, the Japanese Ryo Kohigashi (3-1) did not allow any walks in addition to making 13 strikeouts. His only misstep came in the seventh inning, when Rémi Lemay hit a double that allowed Tommy Caya to cross home plate.
During the first six innings, CBA batters were limited to one hit. (Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron)
After the game, CBA head coach Dominik Walsh raised his hat to Ryo Kohigashi.
“The most impressive thing is the mastery of his throwing arsenal,” he said. It’s not that he throws particularly hard, but it’s the way he varies his throws. He has five or six different pitches that end up in the strike zone. It allowed us to test our ability to adapt.”
With a runner in scoring position in the seventh inning, Ryo Kohigashi ended the game his way, striking out Charles Guimont. In 27 innings so far this season, the 25-year-old southpaw now has 56 strikeouts.
According to Dominik Walsh, such adversity is a valuable addition to the wealth of experience of his young proteges.
“At the start of the match, our youngsters were clearly impressed by the challenge we were facing. It put us on our heels. We got used to it a bit, but it was too late. That said, I liked the rest of our game. Our pitchers were intractable, “said the specialist from the Quebec region.
Marc-Antoine Lefebvre and Nolan Jomphe. (Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron)
Opposed to the ten clubs of the Major League Baseball of Quebec (LBMQ), the ABC team shows a record of four wins and three losses so far this season.
“At bat, we are really dangerous. In our doubleheader against Sherbrooke and Coaticook, we hit 36 hits in two games. Our offense usually does damage, but today was a different kind of challenge,” said Dominik Walsh.
A record greater than 0.500
At bat, both teams were limited to three hits, but the Brock were more opportunistic early in the game. After scoring two runs on their first turn at bat, the hosts widened the lead to 3-0 in the third inning.
Inserted in the first row of the line-up, Xavier Langlois scored two points after drawing two walks. Michael Varga slammed a double while Mathieu Audet and Tom Guilbert each drove in a run.
Gabriel Fournier. (Photo : Ghyslain Bergeron)
CBA starter Gabriel Fournier allowed three runs, two earned, in four innings of work. Author of four strikeouts, the young left-hander allowed only two hits and two walks. In relief, Alexandre Dionne and Guillaume Vallée kept the opposing hitters at bay during the last two innings.
For the first time since entering the LBMQ, the Brock finds himself with a record above 0.500. Authors of six wins and five losses so far this season, the Drummondville residents are particularly solid in front of their supporters, where they have won five of their seven games.
The Brock will play its next game Wednesday night, while the Sherbrooke Expos (4-7) will be at the Jacques-Desautels stadium. Player-coach Mathieu Adam will pitch his first game of the season.
2023-07-03 01:19:23
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