‘It would be great to avenge it,’ Team Canada baseball manager Ernie Whitt had declared ahead of the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal showdown against the USA.
It was the ultimate revenge mission: To defeat America at its own pastime and avenge the Canadian hockey team’s double Olympic heartbreak.
But it wasn’t to be. The rivalry was just as heated as it had been on the ice, the thunderous chants of ‘USA’ around Daikin Park were just as loud, the competition was just as fierce and, ultimately, the outcome was also the same.
The USA beat Canada on the global stage once again. This time, it was with bats and pitches instead of hockey sticks and pucks.
After sneaking through to the knockout stages of the World Baseball Classic following humiliation against Italy in Pool B earlier in the week, the Americans made light work of their northern rivals in the quarterfinals.
Despite a late sixth-inning rally from the Canadians, the USA cruised through to the semifinals with a 5-3 win in Houston, Texas.
The USA beat Canada in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic on Friday night
Bo Naylor cut the USA’s lead to two runs in the sixth inning with a two-run home run
USA captain Aaron Judge looks on before his at-bat during the seventh inning at Daikin Park
With Logan Webb holding Canada scoreless through four innings – allowing just four hits – the USA steamrolled to an early 5-0 lead
However, Canada finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Tyler Black singled to left field to bring home Owen Caissie from second base.
Moments later, the Canadians slashed the lead to just two runs when Bo Naylor went yard. All of a sudden, the USA was back on edge heading into the seventh.
And the comeback appeared well and truly on when the Canadians got runners on base with the tying runs on second and third with nobody out.
But David Bednar came up clutch, pitching his way out of the jam and shutting down Canada’s hopes to close out the seventh with the USA clutching on to its two-run cushion.
The triumph marked the third time an American sporting team has overcome their neighbors to the north on the global stage in the space of a month.
Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams beat Canada in the gold medal games at last month’s Winter Olympics and the thrilling clashes added fuel to the fire as the rivalry transferred to baseball on Friday.
Team Canada’s baseball stars practiced in hockey jerseys ahead of their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal.
A young fan dressed as ‘Uncle Sam’ celebrates during the sixth inning of the clash
Logan Webb held Canada scoreless through four innings – allowing just four hits
Team Canada’s baseball stars sparked a social media frenzy by practicing in hockey jerseys
The team donned the red long-sleeved jerseys during batting practice at Daikin Park as they prepared to face their fiercest rivals.
‘There’s always a rivalry between the U.S. and Canada. It’s just the way it is,’ Canada manager Whitt said before the game.
The squad also had received some pre-game motivation from hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Jarome Iginla, who sent personal video messages to the team.
‘It’s nice to have other athletes that have represented the country at a high level and are playing in a major sport, so they’ve been through it,’ said infielder Edouard Julien.
‘They know what it is, the competition between the U.S., and just playing big games. So, it’s always great to have some videos to motivate you.’
However, revenge for their recent double heartbreak in Milan wasn’t to be as the Canadians, despite a valiant effort, fell to the Americans yet again.
Team USA sealed its spot in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic where the Dominican Republic lies in wait.
The Dominicans are expected to present a tougher challenge, having punched their ticket to the semifinals earlier in the day after they demolished South Korea with a 10-0 seven-inning win.
