A summer of fun and games isn鈥檛 over just yet for Whalley Major Allstars.
Canada鈥檚 entry in the Little League World Series lost an elimination game Wednesday in Williamsport, capping a spirited run at the Pennsylvanian town鈥檚 fabled baseball tournament.
The Surrey-based squad fell 9-4 to a Puerto Rican team in front of more than 2,600 spectators.
The teams were supposed to play Tuesday, but the game was rained out and rescheduled for Wednesday, with the loser eliminated and the winner moving on to play in Thursday鈥檚 International bracket semifinal.
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Heading into action Wednesday, Whalley had won two games (against Spain and Mexico) and lost one (to Panama) during the 10-day tournament, which closes with the championship game Sunday.
The Whalley contingent will remain in Williamsport until early that day, when they鈥檒l travel by bus to Toronto to be honoured at a Blue Jays game, with VIP treatment, before flying home.
It鈥檒l be another long day of travel for the players, coaches and families but, as bench boss Mike Marino told the Now-Leader, 鈥渨e鈥檙e all used to it now.鈥�
The team has been on the road for more than a month, after winning the provincial championship in Trail and the national title in Mirabel, Quebec. From there, they traveled directly to Williamsport.
Marino said his players were disappointed by Wednesday鈥檚 loss, but were still having fun.
鈥淭his group is funny that way, they鈥檙e so resilient. They鈥檙e enjoying the moment, enjoying each other, just like we鈥檇 won today.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e sad but proud, you know,鈥� the coach continued.
鈥淚 really thought we were right there with them. It鈥檚 disappointing but awesome because we really thought it was a winable game for us, it really was.鈥�
Thank you Mr. Trudeau, the boys appreciate your support.
鈥� WhalleyLittleLeague鈿� (@WLLBALL)
Following the game, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his congratulations in a tweet.
鈥淭o the young sluggers of (Whalley Little League) in Surrey 鈥� your great run at the Little League World Series made fans proud in BC and across the country,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淐ongratulations on all your success in Canada and in facing the world鈥檚 best. Job well done.鈥�
On Friday, the team will play an exhibition game against Team Australia, for fun.
Marino said his players should be proud of getting to the Elite Eight round of the 16-team tournament.
鈥淚鈥檒l take it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f someone said to me you鈥檇 go 2-2 in the World Series, would you take that? I鈥檇 say hell yeah, every day.鈥�
This is the sixth time Whalley Little League has earned a trip to the World Series (previously in 1973, 1978, 1997, 2005 and 2006), and the 21st time that a team from British Columbia has earned the nod, including 13 of the last 14 tournaments.
Whalley鈥檚 13-player roster includes Joey Marino, Andre Juco, Kai Sheck, Ian Huang, Zeaden Pleasants, Nate Colina, Colten Myers, Jaren Ashbee, Ty Grewal, Cole Balkovec, Dio Gama, Jordan Jaramillo and Mattias Brisson. They鈥檙e coached by Marino, Lucky Pawa and Dean Mayencourt.
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鈥� WhalleyLittleLeague鈿� (@WLLBALL)
