Aug 17, 2017
Canada routs Europe to open Little League WS
The Canadian entry from White Rock, BC got off to a good start at the Little League World Series on Thursday with a 12-2 victory over the Italian team representing Europe-Africa. Canada wrapped up the win in four innings because of the tournament's 10-run mercy rule.
The Canadian Press
SOUTH WILLAMSPORT, Pa. — Chase Marshall had a pair of home runs and five RBIs as Canada opened the 71st edition of the Little League World Series with a 12-2 rout of Europe-Africa on Thursday.
Marshall's second homer of the game came in a seven-run third inning for the Canadians (1-0), who are represented by White Rock, B.C. The game was completed after just four innings.
Robert Orr went 1 for 3 with three RBIs while Ty Fluet was 3 for 3 with three runs scored for Canada, which outhit the European champions from Emilia, Italy 12-3.
Starter Reece Usselman pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Marshall came on in relief and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for Canada. He gave up one run on one hit with a walk and four strikeouts.
The Canadians' next game is on Sunday. They face the Latin America champions from Maracaibo, Venezuela (1-0).
Sixteen teams are competing for the Little League title. The White Rock-South Surrey Little League squad cruised through the Canadian Regional Tournament to earn the right to represent at the event. They went 8-0 and downed Mirabel, Que., from the Diamond Baseball League in the Canadian championship.