Canada continues to be on a roll at the IABF U18 World Baseball Championship in Seoul, South Korea, and so, too, does Jesse Hodges.
The lone B.C. representative on the national team and the Lambrick Park and Victoria Mariners' product went 2-for-4 at the plate in Canada's 10-6 win Thursday morning over Colombia in the medal round.
A win Friday (late last night Pacific time) over South Korea would guarantee a trip to the gold medal game Saturday.
"I'm really proud of our guys, it's tough to do at the best of times," manager Greg Hamilton said on the Baseball Canada website, regarding a third win played in just over a 24-hour period as rain delays have affected play.
"To have a big emotional win over the U.S. [Wednesday] night and then come back early this morning and get back on the horse was tough, but we survived."
Canada continues to lead the standings among the remaining six nations that have advanced to the second round (including Chinese Tapei and Japan).
Hodges had an RBI-single in the seventh inning after the team had built up a 7-0 advantage over three innings, but let Colombia close to 7-6 after six.
"They hit their way back into the game," Hamilton said of the opponent. "It was one of those situations where Cal [Quantrill, the starting pitcher] let the score affect his energy level on the mound.
"In that situation you need to take a step back, not look at the score, look at making pitches and slow the game down a bit."
Travis Seabrooke came in to pitch the final 3 2 /3 innings for Canada to earn the save. He did not allow a hit or walk over that stretch.
Hodges continues to lead Canada in hitting average at .462 and sits sixth overall.
He has 12 hits (tied for first overall) in 26 appearances at the plate, three doubles, a home run and five RBIs.
Hodges is also third overall in slugging percentage at .692 and fifth in on-base percentage at .533.
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