In an intense matchup, the Ottawa Nepean Canadians 18U held on to defeat the Watson Elite 18U by a score of 3-2. The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams come close to breaking the game open, but timely pitching and clutch defensive plays kept the game within reach.

Canadians Hold Strong in the Sixth Inning

The pivotal moment of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning when the Canadians capitalized on an opportunity to extend their lead. Carter Seeley hit a ground ball single to second baseman Tyler Bisson, driving in Cedric Fortin and advancing Sam Ellis to third. With the bases loaded, Matt Albert was intentionally walked, setting up a key at-bat for Matt Barkley. Barkley, however, struck out looking on a full count, leaving the Canadians with two outs and runners in scoring position.

Despite the pressure, the Canadians stayed composed, with Sam Ellis coming up big with a single on a ground ball to second baseman Bisson, moving Hayden Payne, who came in as a courtesy runner for Hugh Payne, into scoring position. The Canadians loaded the bases but were unable to bring in any more runs as the inning ended with a narrow 3-2 lead.

Strong Defensive Performance

Earlier in the top of the sixth, the Canadians had to fend off a potential Watson rally. Simon Potié singled on a line drive to left fielder Aidan Loney, allowing Nicholas Hobbins and Nathan Steffler to score, cutting the Canadians’ lead to 3-2. Caden Chiasson hit into a fielder’s choice, and Ethan Arthurs made a critical play at third base to get Bryce Santucci out at home, preventing Watson from tying the game. Nicholas Hobbins followed by grounding into another fielder’s choice, where Arthurs once again stepped up, getting Tyler Bisson out at home to keep the Canadians in front.

A Pitching Duel

The Canadians’ pitching staff, led by Jibril Gebara, kept the Watson Elite offense largely in check. Gebara struck out five batters and allowed just a handful of hits, including a double by Campeau in the fifth inning. Andrew Amos came in to relieve Gebara and helped the Canadians navigate through a tough sixth inning, despite some control issues. Amos walked a few batters, but strong defense behind him ensured the Canadians held on.

Watson’s Nathan Emery and Nicholas Hobbins also had strong outings on the mound, striking out several Canadians hitters. Emery, in particular, managed to escape some difficult situations, including a bases-loaded jam in the third inning, but ultimately couldn’t prevent Ottawa from scoring the three runs they needed to secure the win.

Offensive Contributions

While the Canadians’ offense didn’t produce a barrage of hits, they managed to capitalize on key moments. Jake Ferris opened the scoring with a run on a passed ball in the third inning. Hayden Payne followed up with a single, allowing Tristan Gallant to advance to second, setting up the first run of the game. Later in the inning, Ferris doubled to center field, pushing the Canadians ahead 2-0.

Sam Ellis was one of the offensive standouts, going 2-for-3 and playing a critical role in both the fifth and sixth innings with key hits. Carter Seeley and Matt Albert also contributed important at-bats during the Canadians’ rally.

Key Performers

• Sam Ellis (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored.

• Jake Ferris (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 1-for-3, double, 1 run scored.

• Jibril Gebara (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 5 IP, 5 strikeouts, allowed just 2 runs.

• Carter Seeley (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 1-for-3, 1 RBI.

On the Watson Elite side:

• Campeau (Watson Elite 18U): 2-for-3, double.

• Nicholas Hobbins (Watson Elite 18U): 1-for-3, 1 RBI, pitched 1.1 innings.

Final Thoughts

The Ottawa Nepean Canadians managed to grind out a victory in a game that could have gone either way. Their defense stepped up when it mattered most, and clutch hitting from Sam Ellis and Carter Seeley helped lift the Canadians over Watson Elite. With a strong combination of pitching, defense, and timely offense, the Canadians showed why they are a tough team to beat.