Halcovitch, Hoeschen, Jacob, Kokotailo, Lucas standouts for JNT in loss to Rays DSL squad

From left to right: Nick Halcovitch (Waterdown, Ont.), Finn Hoeschen (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Jerôme Lucas (Montreal, Que.). Photo: Eugenio Matos, Baseball Canada

May 17, 2025

By Eugenio Matos

Baseball Canada

The Junior National Team could not keep up with the Tampa Bay Rays DSL squad’s offensive output in a 14-4 loss in the Dominican Academy Pro Tour on Saturday.

Box Score

The Canadians came out swinging in the top of the first. Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Perade, Que.) drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single after Philip Cheong (Richmond Hill, Ont.) started things off with a walk and a stolen base.

On the mound, Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, Que.) started for the Juniors and battled through the first two frames, picking up a pair of clutch strikeouts to keep the game close.

The Juniors would regain the lead in the top of the fourth after a couple of two-out walks set the stage for a bases-clearing double from Finn Hoeschen (North Vancouver, B.C.) that gave the Canadians a 4-2 lead.

RHP Nick Halcovitch (Waterdown, Ont.) and LHP Jerôme Lucas (Montreal, Que.) both made their Junior National Team debuts, each tossing two innings and striking out one.

Offensively, the Juniors continued to create chances but failed to push runs across despite strong performances from Jordan Jacob (Maple, Ont.) and Félix Gosselin (Drummondville, Que.), as they finished 2-for-2 and 2-for-4 respectively, each with a run scored.

Walker Kokotailo (Surrey, BC) put the final touches on this long 12-inning game with a pair of scoreless frames where he only permitted a hit and a walk.

The Canadians will take a short break and workout at the Milwaukee Brewers DR Complex on Sunday before facing the Philadelphia Phillies in double-header action on Monday.