Chilliwack’s Zaeden Pleasants helped his Canadian crew to a 2-2 record at last week’s Little League World Series in Willamsport, Pennsylvania.
Pleasants played for a team from White Rock, Canada’s lone entry in the 16 team field.
They earned wins over the Europe-Africa region (2-1) and Mexico Region (6-4), suffering losses to the Latin America Region (8-3) and Carribean Region (9-4).
Pleasants pitched in two games and brought the heat. In 1.1 innings against Latin America the teenager struck out four batters.
In 5.1 innings against Europe-Africa, Pleasants fanned 12.
The right-handed hurler was dialed in. He didn’t allow a single base-on-balls, yielding just three hits and one earned run.
The one run he surrendered was notable. In the game against Europe-Africa (Spain), an opposing batter hammered one of his pitches for a home run, prompting Pleasants to tip his cap in respect.
The video found its way onto ESPN’s Instagram account, where Pleasants and his Canadian teammates took heat in the comments section for ‘being soft.’
Pleasants said he didn’t care and called the hit by the Spanish player ‘a great shot.’
He had nine plate appearances of his own in the tournament, collecting a single in the game against Europe-Africa.
Pleasants got one more treat on his way home as the team spent Sunday taking in a Toronto Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre.