Canada Edges Sacramento City, 12-10, in Thrilling Season Opener

On January 24, 2025, Canada took an early lead and held on in a wild back-and-forth affair, defeating Sacramento City 12-10 in the season opener for both teams. After a big second inning, Canada withstood a late charge from Sacramento City, clinching a hard-fought victory.

A Big Second Inning for Canada
Canada wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the second inning, plating five runs. Carson Vance's two-RBI double scored Jacob Brewer and Kyler Bittner to give Canada a 2-1 lead. The inning continued with Justin Gladfelter's groundout, bringing home Vance. A two-RBI single by Justin Sechler made it 5-1, capping a five-run explosion for the visitors.

Sacramento City Strikes Back
Sacramento City answered in the fifth, as Levi Sotomayor's sacrifice fly cut Canada's lead to 5-2. In the sixth, they scored again when Cal Elvis' sacrifice fly brought in a run to make it 6-3, but Canada responded quickly.

Canada Extends the Lead
In the seventh, Canada tacked on three more runs. Ethan Payne's RBI walk scored Brewer, followed by a bases-loaded walk to Caden Cuccia, bringing in Vance. Chris Arce's sacrifice fly then pushed the score to 9-3. But Sacramento City was far from done.

Sacramento City's Seven-Run Rally
Sacramento City mounted a fierce comeback in the bottom of the seventh. They scored four times, with Jackson Blakley's single bringing in a run, and Elvis walking in another. The rally continued with Sotomayor's hit-by-pitch driving in a run, and Dom Agrella's single making it 9-7. Sam Marr's RBI single brought the score to 9-8.

Canada Holds Off Sacramento City
Despite Sacramento City's surge, Canada kept their foot on the gas. In the top of the eighth, they added two insurance runs, with Vance's sacrifice fly and Cuccia's walk adding to their lead. The home team wouldn't go down without a fight, as Elvis' sac fly and Sotomayor's single brought them to within two runs, 11-10.

Final Insurance Run and Victory
Canada would add a final run in the ninth, with Bittner's double driving in pinch-runner Ryan Kinoshita, pushing the score to 12-10. The defense and bullpen held on in the final inning, securing the victory for Canada.

Key Performances

• Canada:

  • Kyler Bittner had a stellar 3-for-4 day with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.
  • Carson Vance was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs.
  • Justin Sechler went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
  • Mateo Rojas earned the save, tossing 2.0 innings of scoreless relief with 2 strikeouts.

• Sacramento City:

  • Jackson Blakley went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI and 3 runs scored.
  • Levi Sotomayor had 1 RBI and 1 run scored, while being hit by a pitch twice.
  • Cal Elvis was 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks.

Pitching Summary

• Canada:

  • Shawn Pagee (1-0) earned the win, pitching 5.0 solid innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 5 hits with 5 strikeouts.
  • Victor Angulo allowed 4 runs in 1.0 inning, and Alex Almaguer faced 2 batters, giving up a hit and a HBP.
  • Gianvito Carriglio allowed 3 earned runs in 1.0 inning of work.
  • Mateo Rojas closed it out, picking up the save with 2 scoreless innings.

• Sacramento City:

  • Joe Muraoka (0-1) took the loss after allowing 5 earned runs in 3.0 innings.
  • Nick Sawyer pitched 2.0 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits.
  • Mario McManus was perfect in 1.0 inning, and Ken Blankenship struggled in his brief outing, allowing 3 earned runs.
  • Adam Smaglik and Kyle Seo finished the game, allowing 3 combined runs over 2.3 innings.