OTTAWA – For the first time since 1988 in Seoul, Canada has qualified for the Olympics and will be one of two teams representing the Americas in Athens. Mike Johnson (Edmonton, AB) got the start for Canada in yesterday’s semi-final against Mexico at the Estadio Nacional in Panama City. Edgar Martinez took the mound for Mexico. Canada opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first. Stubby Clapp (Windsor, ON) hit an infield single with one out, moved to second on a balk and scored on a double by Pierre Luc LaForest (Hull, QC).

In the top half of the second inning with one out, Ray Martinez singled to left and was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Noe Muñoz singled to left, and Daniel Fernandez struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the second with one out, Jeff Guiel (Langley, BC) walked and then advanced to second on a wild pick-off attempt by Mexico’s Gonzalez. Rob Ducey (Cambridge, ON) singled to right on a 2-out, 3-2 pitch, scoring Guiel from second. Mexico brought in left-hander Mauro Nieblas to face Stubby Clapp who lined out to right to end the inning.

Pierre Luc Laforest walked to start of the Canada half of the 3rd inning, when Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC) hit a 3-0 pitch high over the right centre field wall, giving Canada the 4-0 lead.

At this point, Mexico brought in right-hander Edgar Leyva. Jeremy Ware (Guelph, ON) singled to left, Guiel singled to centre and the centre-fielder misplayed the ball. With runners at second and third, Ryan Radmanovich (Calgary, AB) hit a Texas league single to right, scoring both Guiel and Ware for the 6-0 lead.

Mexico scored its only run in the top of the fourth when Luis Garcia homered deep to left.

In the 5th inning Jeff Guiel hit a one out single to centre and Ryan Radmanovich homered to right. Rob Ducey was hit by a pitch and Kevin Nicholson (Surrey, BC) singled to right when the inning ended when Clapp hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

Pierre Luc LaForest lead off the Canada portion of the 6th with a home run off Mexican right hander Miguel Duarte. Morneau singled to right, Todd Betts (Scarborough, ON) singled to centre and Jeremy Ware singled, scoring Morneau. With runners at first and second, Mexico brought in their fifth pitcher, Juan Cerros who managed to get out of the inning with out allowing any more runs.

Mike Johnson retired the side in the top of the seventh inning.

In a scene that mirrored his performance at the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Stubby Clapp hit a one out home run that gave Canada the 11-1 mercy rule win, securing our spot at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Canada will now face Cuba in the gold medal game tonight at 8:00pm at the Estadio Nacional.

IP AB H R ER K BB HR
Johnson, M 7.0 26 7 1 1 6 0 1

Home Plate umpire – Arnaldo Roman 1B umpire – Tito Gonzalez 2B umpire – José Perez 3B umpire – Greg Oros