Canada finishes pool play at 5-2

Canada completed pool play late Friday at the U23 Men's World Baseball Softball Confederation Americas Qualifier in Santa Rosa, Argentina with a 5-1 win over Venezuela. Nic Neid had the complete game win. Matt Weiler had two hits and two RBIs for Canada.

Canada finished pool play with a five win and two loss record. Placement in the standings (second or third) depended on the result of the final game of the pool play between Mexico and Argentina. However, that game was rained out in the bottom of the ninth - Mexico had the bases loaded with none out.

The USA, despite having ace Marco Diaz, finished the event with a three win and four loss record, tied for fifth place with Dominican Republic.

Medal games were planned for today (Saturday) between first and second for gold and third and fourth for bronze. However, heavy rain continues as of 10:30 a.m. local time and what will happen next is to be determined.

No matter what, Canada will finish in the top four and has qualified for the U23 Men's WBSC World Cup in Colombia in April, 2026.