If the opening game is any indication, the 2016 World Baseball Challenge should be nothing short of a treat.
Calgary based Sidearm Nation and Team Japan dazzled the Prince George crowd at Citizen Field playing to an 11-7 decision with the Japanese coming out on top.
It didn’t take long to see the games first big play when Justin Johnston hit a grand slam over the green monster to give Sidearm an early 4-0 lead.
The bats would wake up for Japan in the bottom of the 4th thanks to a Hasegawa Takuma triple followed by a Maruko Tatsuya single to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Billy Clapperton gave Sidearm their second lead of three runs thanks to a solo shot in the top of the 6th.
Tatsuya would bring Japan back to life courtesy of a wild pitch followed by a routine fly-out by Oshiro Takumi making it 6-4.
After a two run 7th, Japan would finally open the flood gates in the bottom 8th scoring five runs all with two out.
Canadian Sidearm Nation Head Coach, Brandon Newell says some roster juggling may have led to the late collapse.
“We have some pitchers coming into situations they aren’t used to, we have a bunch of starting pitchers. We did OK and it’s a good thing for us to build on this week.”
Newell believes there is plenty of positives to draw from. “Shoot we had 10 hits and 3 or 4 home runs and I think it’s a good way for us to begin the tournament.”
Former Regina Red Sox JP Wilner hit the final home run for Sidearm in the loss.
Sidearm Nation plays the Thurston County Generals at 8PM from Citizen Field on Saturday.
Kamloops Sun Devils and Roswell Invaders begin tournament play on Saturday at 4PM.