Canada shut out by Mexico in Little League World Series opener

Mexico's Alan Gutierrez (6) scores as Canada's catcher Everett Bertsch (5) drops the ball during the sixth inning. (Tom E. Puskar/AP)

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Matt Shanley went 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one run with seven strikeouts, but Canada went silent at the plate and dropped its Little League World Series opener 5-0 to Mexico on Friday.

Shanley gave his squad a chance as he left the game in the fourth trailing 1-0.

But the Canadians made four total errors in the field leading to additional runs late in the game and they couldn’t solve Mexico’s starting pitcher Santiago Leija at the plate.

Leija went the distance, pitching six innings of two-hit ball with 11 strikeouts, while going 1 for 3 at the plate.

Tai Freeman and Sean Duncan had a single apiece for Canada.

Canada’s next game is Saturday against the Europe-Africa Region, represented by Bologna, Italy.

The 12-year-old all-stars from Coquitlam, B.C., upset Quebec in the Canadian championship final to earn their way to Williamsport, Pa.

No Canadian team has ever won the Little League World Series despite appearing in every tournament since 1952.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.