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Team Canada takes bronze

Team Canada and Fruitvale’s Chris Kissock had to settle for a share of the bronze medal at the 39th IBAF World Cup in Panama Sunday.

Team Canada and Fruitvale’s Chris Kissock had to settle for a share of the bronze medal at the 39th IBAF World Cup in Panama Sunday.

The team needed to beat Cuba Friday to play against the Netherlands in the final but came up short in an 8-2 loss. Canada had previously beaten the Netherlands in the first round, 5-4, to win Pool A.

The team also defeated both Venezuela, 7-0, and South Korean, 4-0, on Thursday to keep them in contention but a less than stellar start from the Canucks’ Shawn Hill against Cuba relegated them to the bronze medal game against the U.S.A.

Hill gave up five runs in two and two-thirds innings before he was lifted for Jay Johnson.

“Shawn didn’t have his best stuff tonight,” explained Canadian manager Ernie Whitt. “You can’t take away anything from Cuba, they played very well.”

Team Canada was to face the U.S. in the bronze-medal game Sunday, however, due to poor field conditions after a prolonged deluge, the game was cancelled and it was determined that both teams would receive the bronze.

Kissock appeared in five games in relief, giving up only four hits and no earned runs in six- and one-third innings, while striking out seven.

His best performance came against the U.S. in the first round when he came in and pitched the final two frames of shutout ball to preserve a 6-1 win.

This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Canada has medalled as they also won bronze at the 2009 World Cup in Italy.

The bronze medal in 2009 was the first medal of any kind that Canada has won in the history of the IBAF World Cup.

“Obviously we would have preferred to win the medal by playing the game on the field,” said Canadian Manager, Ernie Whitt.

“I am very proud of this group and the way in which they performed during the tournament. This is a great day for Baseball Canada.”

Canada was awarded their bronze medals Sunday evening at the closing ceremonies.

In the gold medal game, the Netherlands defeated Cuba 2-1, to become the first European team ever to win the World Cup.

Players, coaches and staff will travel to Lagos de Moreno, Mexico today in advance of the Pan Am Games that take place Oct. 19-25.

Canada will open the tournament on Wednesday against Puerto Rico at 9 a.m. Central Time.