The Cornwall River Rats, aka Team Ontario National 14U, are off to an 0-2 start

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LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A problem that almost derailed The 14U River Rats’ run to a provincial title last week in Cornwall has resurfaced out west at nationals.

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Early at Canadian Junior League Little Championship Lethbridge, Alta., Cornwall has struggled defensively, dropping its first two contests at Spitz Stadium, including Thursday against the host Lethbridge Junior Bulls. The Junior Bulls cruised to a 10-0 victory, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning and building to a 6-0 lead two innings later.

Cornwall’s batters were tough against Lethbridge starter Will Kambeitz, who gave up just three hits in five scoreless frames, striking out four and walking no River Rats.

Max Houde was Cornwall’s starting pitcher, although the team plays in Lethbridge as the Ontario National 14U Team. Houde surrendered four hits and four runs over two innings, recording a strikeout and a walk. Cornwall got hits from Aryen Yuvarajan, Kevin Markell and Houde.

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Prior to Thursday’s game, Team Ontario National 14U dropped Wednesday’s opener 11-1 against Team Atlantic.

The River Rats had a doubleheader to play on Friday, so it was a big opportunity to turn their fortunes around. The first game was against The Alberta regional champions from Calgary, followed later in the day by the North Regina team representing Saskatchewan.

Cornwall plays BC representatives from North Vancouver on Saturday and wraps up the round-robin side on Monday with a game against Quebec represented by Team Mirabel.

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Seven teams from across the country are aiming to become national champions early next week, with tthe top four teams after tournament play in the semifinals set for Tuesday and early Wednesday; the final is Wednesday afternoon.

Cornwall has now been to the event two years in a row and this year’s team won the trip when a defeated the Orleans Red Sox 8-7 in the final game of the week-long Little League Ontario 2024 Junior Provincials last Friday at Lutt Bergeron Memorial Field in Cornwall Legion Park.

The winner of the Lethbridge tournament will represent Canada at the Junior League World Series, Aug. 4-11 in Taylor, Michigan.

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