Oct 22, 2026 | Baseball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State baseball freshmen pitchers Max Nantais-Vlahovich and Joseph Pereira are set to represent Canada on the Junior National Team at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Pan-American Championship in the Dominican Republic.
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The event, which will take place October 22-29 at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, gets underway Thursday afternoon, with 11 nations competing for one of the top four spots and a bid in the 2027 U-18 World Cup in China.
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Group A consists of the United States, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Curaçao. Group B includes Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua, while Group C comprises Puerto Rico, Panama, and Canada.
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Canada will open against Puerto Rico on Thursday, October 22 at 2 p.m. CT before facing Panama at 11 a.m. on Friday. Opening Round play concludes Saturday with doubleheader action when Canada takes on Puerto Rico at 11 a.m. and Panama at 2 p.m.
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Canada's 20-player roster
Pitchers: Calum Andersen (Calgary, AB), Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, ON), Gabe Fink (Edmonton, AB), Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, ON), Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, ON), Ethan Reason (Stouffville, ON), Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC), Johann Sternberg (Toronto, ON) and Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC).
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Catchers: Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB) and Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC).
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Infielders: Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), Jalen Jacob (Maple, ON), Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON), Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, AB), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB).
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Outfielders: Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC) and Sam Ellis (La Pêche, QC).
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Utility: Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, ON) and Cohen Miller (Calgary, AB).
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Tournament Format
The top two teams from each group will advance to the six-team Super Round beginning October 25, while the remaining countries move into the Placement Round. Results from Opening Round games between teams that advance together will carry into the Super Round standings.
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Because Group C contains only three teams, each country will play four Opening Round games. All four games will count towards the Group C standings, but only designated games will count toward a team's Super Round record. For Canada, the October 23 meeting with Panama and the October 24 game against Puerto Rico are the two designated carry-over games should those opponents also advance.
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Super Round play runs through October 28, with the top four countries earning qualification for the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China and advancing to the tournament's final day. The third- and fourth-place teams will meet in the bronze medal game at 10 AM. EDT on October 29, followed by the gold medal game between the top two teams at 2 PM EDT.
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U18 Pan-American Championship games will be streamed on Youtube.
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Keep up to date with the Junior National Team by following @BaseballCANJNT on X and Baseball Canada on Instagram and Facebook.
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The event, which will take place October 22-29 at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, gets underway Thursday afternoon, with 11 nations competing for one of the top four spots and a bid in the 2027 U-18 World Cup in China.
Â
Group A consists of the United States, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Curaçao. Group B includes Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua, while Group C comprises Puerto Rico, Panama, and Canada.
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Canada will open against Puerto Rico on Thursday, October 22 at 2 p.m. CT before facing Panama at 11 a.m. on Friday. Opening Round play concludes Saturday with doubleheader action when Canada takes on Puerto Rico at 11 a.m. and Panama at 2 p.m.
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Canada's 20-player roster
Pitchers: Calum Andersen (Calgary, AB), Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, ON), Gabe Fink (Edmonton, AB), Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, ON), Joseph Pereira (Etobicoke, ON), Ethan Reason (Stouffville, ON), Deven Simonovic (Victoria, BC), Johann Sternberg (Toronto, ON) and Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC).
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Catchers: Taye Thierman (Calgary, AB) and Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC).
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Infielders: Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC), Jalen Jacob (Maple, ON), Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, ON), Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, AB), Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, AB).
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Outfielders: Maxime Blain (Repentigny, QC) and Sam Ellis (La Pêche, QC).
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Utility: Ramsey Chung (Mississauga, ON) and Cohen Miller (Calgary, AB).
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Tournament Format
The top two teams from each group will advance to the six-team Super Round beginning October 25, while the remaining countries move into the Placement Round. Results from Opening Round games between teams that advance together will carry into the Super Round standings.
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Because Group C contains only three teams, each country will play four Opening Round games. All four games will count towards the Group C standings, but only designated games will count toward a team's Super Round record. For Canada, the October 23 meeting with Panama and the October 24 game against Puerto Rico are the two designated carry-over games should those opponents also advance.
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Super Round play runs through October 28, with the top four countries earning qualification for the 2027 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in China and advancing to the tournament's final day. The third- and fourth-place teams will meet in the bronze medal game at 10 AM. EDT on October 29, followed by the gold medal game between the top two teams at 2 PM EDT.
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U18 Pan-American Championship games will be streamed on Youtube.
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Keep up to date with the Junior National Team by following @BaseballCANJNT on X and Baseball Canada on Instagram and Facebook.
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– k-statesports.com –
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How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Baseball, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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