The first game of the World cup saw Europe taking on last year's champions,  Team Canada. Under clear  April skies and crisp air, the game started out as a pitchers duel with Rob Skasko on the mound for Europe and Mike Murphy for Canada. Neither pitcher had their best stuff but their early season rust was met by equally rusty swings on the other side.  But before too long the Canadian bats had shaken some of that winter rust and built a 4-0 lead, on a mix of walks, doubles and singles off a tiring Skasko.  

  Luckily for the Euros, veteran Canadian hurler Murphy started to labour under the early season workload, and gave up some uncharacteristic walks allowing team Europe back in the game as they took  a 6-4 lead.  

  The see-saw scoring continued when the Canadian bats of Andrade, Osborne, Variava  Murphy, and Alvarez started to string together some hits off  talented  pitcher Matt Klamot and rebuilt their lead 8-6.  Amin Vairava took the mound for the Canucks and allowed the Euros to chip away to tie it back up 8-8.  When Variava left the mound, TBL superstar Darren Osborne took to  the rubber, and in his first attempt had a 1-2 inning, But the following inning was where he ran into some trouble, and after Golombek, Klamot and Skasko filled the bases, Paul Braunstein from the TBL champion Riverdale Spartans took Osborne deep to centre to field to give Team Europe a seemingly comfortable 13-8 lead.  

  When they looked to close it out, Klamot loaded the bases and with  heavy hitter  Alvarez at the box the game was far from over. But with two fast balls and a deadly curveball, lefty Klamot sealed the victory for the Euros, and showed the league that he will be an effective player for his club team, the Rail Hawks,  this season.  All in all it was a great day at the still standing 'Hood -Burby's back! 

   Europe takes on Team Ireland this weekend at the 'Hood. While, in the other match, Italy will take on Canada. Both of those teams who lost last weekend still have a chance through record and run differential to make the finals.

PB