By Jeff D'Andrea

Smith salutes the Shellbrook crowd; Team Canada ready for worlds

Jul 6, 2018 | 7:36 AM

If you ever told Ryan Smith he would be playing in his hometown of Shellbrook while wearing Team Canada’s red and white, he would have called you crazy.

“Not in my wildest dreams,” Smith said. “It’s pretty surreal still. It’s definitely a feeling that I won’t forget. I definitely didn’t think it was in my life a couple years ago, but a lot of hard work landed me here. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I’m thankful for everyone that got me here.”

There he was on Thursday, strutting his stuff in Shellbrook during a XII Jr. Men’s Softball World Championship pretournament doubleheader against defending champs Japan. Japan won the shortened game 8-0 and led 11-7 when the second leg was called off due to lack of light.

Smith predictively got the loudest ovation during the pregame introductions. After Team Canada was done their post-game cooldowns, Smith hopped over the fence and took pictures with the crowd.

“It meant a lot,” Smith said about the Shellbrook doubleheader. “There’s a lot of people here that I grew up with and that I’ve gotten to know. There are some kids that look up to me. It’s pretty cool to be able to wear a maple leaf in my hometown.”

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The local angle didn’t stop Thursday for Smith either. Prince Albert, the venue for the world championships, is just a few fly balls away from Shellbrook. It’s also where Smith won the bronze medal along with the Prince Albert Astros at the 2015 Under-16 nationals.

“It’s where I grew up playing ball,” Smith said. “I feel like it’s home field advantage. It’s going to be pretty special playing on the diamond I’ve been playing on all my life … I’m ready to get on that field and start the world championship.”

Japan 8 Canada 0

Japan scored seven runs in the opening two innings to set the tone early and take an 8-0 win. Japan scored four in the first and another three in the second inning.

Canada had chances to score early, loading the bases in the bottom of the first, but couldn’t cash in on a leadoff triple by Rowan Sears in the second.

The game was called after the fifth inning to get the second leg started.

Japan 11 Canada 7

After not scoring at all in the first game, it only took Canada three batters to score a pair. Jordan Pomeroy smacked a two-run homer to get Canada off to a much better start.

Japan tied it up with solo shots from both Hiroshi Sakata and Shoki Matsuo.

Rowan Sears hit a three-run home run to make it 5-2 in the top of the third inning, cashing in both of the Sask. boys, Smith and Warman’s Troy Kosmynka. Dawson Sellick, of P.E.I., followed that up right after with a two-run shot of his own, drawing the score to 7-2.

Japan then rattled on nine in the bottom of the third inning. The game was called midway through the fourth as nighttime was quickly approaching.

Looking ahead

Canada will practice on Friday in anticipation for the start of the world championships on Saturday. Canada will kick off their campaign at 7:30 p.m. against the United States.

They’ll play 8 p.m. games for the rest of the group stages, taking on the Czech Republic Sunday, Guatemala Monday, New Zealand Tuesday, a bye Wednesday and Hong Kong Thursday. The playoffs are slated for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW