Penticton’s Dustin Houle (right) and fellow Team Canada catcher Jordan Procyshen (left), from Calgary, hanging out at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru. (Baseball Canada photo)

Penticton’s Dustin Houle (right) and fellow Team Canada catcher Jordan Procyshen (left), from Calgary, hanging out at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru. (Baseball Canada photo)

Penticton’s Houle drives in run but Canada loses first at Pan Am Games

The Canadian baseball team has guaranteed a spot to play for a medal in Peru

Penticton’s Dustin Houle had two hits and a run batted in, but Canada was handed their first loss at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru on Friday.

Trailing 8-1 as they headed into the bottom of the eighth inning the super round, Canada mounted a rally but it was too late.

READ MORE: Perfect record so far for Penticton baseball player at Pan Am Games

Houle helped drive one of four runs in, to make the games 8-5, but it was not meant to be as Canada struck out with the bases loaded to end the threat. The game would end 8-5, however Canada has guaranteed to play for a medal on Sunday and a chance to appear in the gold medal game for the third Pan Am Games in a row.

Canada faced Columbia on Thursday in their final Group B play, both of the teams held an undefeated record.

A six-run inning for Canada, highlighted by Wes Darrell (Richmond, B.C.) grand slam, combined with seven strong innings on the mound led Canada’s men’s baseball team to a 10-3 win over Columbia.

READ MORE: Penticton baseball player representing Canada at Pan Am Games

The win gave them first spot overall in Group B and gave Canada a 1-0 record heading into super round play, which falls to 1-1 after the loss to Puerto Rico.

Canada kicked off the Pan Am Games with a 10-0 win over Argentina then defeated Cuba 8-6.

Next up for the Canadian squad is a super round game against Nicaragua at 1:05 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday.

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