McKenna, Omidi, Powell shine for Juniors in loss to Black Bears
First baseman Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, Que.) and second baseman Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) field their positions for the Junior National Team in their Major League Draft Series game against the West Virginia Black Bears on Friday. Photo: Eugenio Matos, Baseball Canada
June 13, 2025
By Eugenio Matos
Baseball Canada
MORGANTOWN, W.V. — The Junior National Team put together a strong performance through eight innings, but a six-run ninth from the West Virginia Black Bears proved decisive in a 7–5 loss in Major League Draft Series action on Friday afternoon at Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
The Juniors jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first when Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Justin Rompré (Sainte-Anne-De-La-Pérade, Que.). It was the first of three stolen bases on the day for Team Canada, who once again applied pressure on the basepaths throughout the game.
On the mound, Mathis McKenna (Rigaud, Que.) got the start for Canada and was solid through four innings, allowing just one run. Noah Powell (North York, Ont.) followed in relief and kept the Black Bears' bats quiet with three scoreless frames.
The game turned in the seventh when Canada broke a 1–1 tie with a clutch rally. Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta.) reached on a strikeout-wild pitch and advanced to third on a fielding error. Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, Que.) came through with an RBI single, followed by another from Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.). Lascelles capped the inning with an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 4–1.
After holding the lead into the ninth, the Black Bears mounted a late surge. A pair of walks, a double, and a triple pushed them into the lead before a throwing error allowed one more to score.
The Canadians fought back in the bottom of the ninth, with a leadoff double from Evan York (Waterloo, Ont.) that later came around to score on an Omidi RBI ground out to reach our final score.