Correspondent file photo / David Dermer Mahoning Valley Scrappers Jack Cannon flies out during the fifth inning against State College Spikes in Niles, June 2.

NILES – The first two games of the three-game series between the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the Canadian Junior National Team featured a pair of blowouts. On Friday, the Scrappers sailed to a win. On Saturday, seven Scrappers pitchers combined to issue 15 walks in a Canada rout.

Sunday’s series finale between the two clubs was close for six-and-a-half innings. Then the Scrappers blew things open in the bottom of the seventh en route to a 10-3 win at 7 17 Credit Union Field.

The Scrappers scored the game’s first run in the second inning. Jack Cannon reached on a two-out walk, stole second then scored when James Whitman hit a ground-rule double over the right-field wall.

Another ground-rule double gave the Scrappers a 2-0 lead in the fifth. After Jarren Purify doubled with two-outs, Josue Malave followed with a line drive, which bounced over the left-field wall.

Canada tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh.

The Scrappers immediately responded with seven runs in the bottom of the seventh. Three consecutive one-out walks and a wild pitch gave the Scrappers a 3-2 lead. Carlos Sanchez – batting .393 on the season – then belted a three-run homer to extend the Scrappers’ lead to 6-2. Cannon plated the Scrappers’ fifth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. Whitman capped the scoring with a two-run blast.

Malave, Whitman, Tommy Harrison and Tristan Strickland each collected two hits for the Scrappers.

Sunday’s contest concluded Canada’s nine-game schedule against MLB Draft League opponents. Canada went 1-8 against Aberdeen, State College and Mahoning Valley. Despite the setbacks, Canada coach Greg Hamilton said the stretch of games “were a rewarding experience and a valuable tool” for his group of players, all who are 18-years-old or younger.

“It’s been fantastic, and it will only benefit this team and these players individually down the road,” Hamilton said. “It’s been great to give these kids a feel for what it’s like to play minor league-caliber baseball in nice minor league settings with the energy, the fans and all that goes with it.

“The host sites have been fantastic. Everyone has been so accommodating. This has just been a great overall experience for all of us.”

Hamilton said his Canadian team plays an extensive schedule which includes time in the Dominican summer league, the MLB Instructional League and the extended (MLB) pro league in Arizona. However, much of their field time away from home focuses on instruction and fundamentals rather than actual game experience.

“Playing the Draft League games gave this young group actual game experience against very talented and older players,” Hamilton said. “All of our players are going to go on to play either in college or the pro level, so this was a great growth experience.”

Hamilton is a native of Peterborough, Ontario. He attended Princeton University, where he played both varsity hockey and baseball. He has served as the head coach of the Canadian Junior National Team for nearly three decades. His resume also includes coaching Team Canada’s senior team in the 2004 Olympic, the 2007 Baseball World Cup, the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 Pan American Games.

Hamilton also serves as the director and general manager of Team Canada.

While baseball has surged in popularity throughout Canada in recent times, it still takes a back seat to basketball, soccer – and of course hockey – in terms of participation and fan interest.

“I learned a long time ago that you don’t try to compete against something that is so ingrained in the fabric of our culture,” Hamilton said. “Hockey will always be king in Canada by a longshot, but we’re trying to create our own identity.”

Hamilton said he noticed a spike in baseball registrations over the past year, and he credited the increase in participation and interest in large part to the Toronto Blue Jays’ participation in the 2025 World Series.

“You go back to 1992 and 1993 when the Blue Jays won titles, and that really kick started a lot of things in our country from a baseball standpoint,” Hamilton said. “The same thing happened over the past year. When the Blue Jays are going good, everyone in the country is engaged.

“We’re a one-team nation, so when the Blue Jays are in the spotlight the entire country rallies around them.”

Following a day off today, the Scrappers begin a six-game road trip on Tuesday, which will take them to Trenton and State College. The Scrappers return home June 30.