Two losses in a 24-hour time span has eliminated Whalley Little League from the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan.
After splitting their first two games, Whalley went into the last half of their round robin schedule knowing two wins would clinch a playoff position.
But the Canadian champions lost 4-2 to the European zone representatives from Emilia, Italy Wednesday night, then were blanked 10-0 by the Latin America zone champions from Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Daichi Keber led Whalley against the Italians, collecting a pair of singles and driving on one of the two scores.
Starting pitcher Jacob Robazza took the loss, allowing six runs – four of which were unearned – on six hits and three walks, while striking out eight batters.
Whalley stayed close with the Venezuelans for five innings, trailing 3-0 until giving up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, which ended the game on the mercy rule.
The group of 13-14 year-old boys got off to a good start at the 10-team baseball tournament. Whalley stopped Puerto Rico 6-1 in their first game Monday afternoon. Cole Hunt and William Gladwell scored two runs each, with Jacob Robazza driving in a pair.
Canada was no-hit by the Asia-Pacific champions Tuesday afternoon, and lost 10-0 to Taoyuan. The Chinese Taipei team had clinched first place in the five-team International Pool by winning their first three contests.
