Team Canada kickstarted their 2026 World Baseball Classic campaign in clinical fashion, securing a dominant 8-2 victory over Colombia at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico. A late-inning surge and a powerful display at the plate ensured the "Maple Leaf" squad moved to the top of Pool A following the opening round of fixtures.
With the sun beating down in San Juan, Canada seized the initiative early. Left fielder Owen Caissie ignited the scoring in the second inning, launching the game’s only home run to drive in two runs and give the Canadians a lead they would never relinquish. Caissie was a standout performer throughout the afternoon, recording multiple hits alongside Abraham Toro to keep the Colombian defense under constant pressure.
On the mound, starting pitcher Michael Soroka set a steady tone for the victors. Soroka picked up the win after twirling three innings of one-run ball, racking up two strikeouts while allowing just a single walk. His composed performance allowed the Canadian dugout to remain patient before they effectively put the contest out of reach in the later stages.
The definitive blow came in the eighth inning when Canada exploded for four runs, dismantling the Colombian bullpen to turn a competitive contest into a comfortable rout. The victory provides vital momentum for Adam Hall and his teammates as they prepare for a relentless round-robin schedule featuring Panama, Cuba, and the host nation, Puerto Rico.
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