The province's lone representative on Canada's junior baseball team got the ball rolling for the nation at the World U-18 Championship in Seoul, South Korea.
Jesse Hodges went 2-for-3 at the plate with a game-tying, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth and scored two runs, including the winning one in Canada's thrilling 6-5 extra-inning victory over Japan.
Hodges finished with three runs batted in and also walked once in the Friday morning game (Thursday night Pacific time).
"These are the types of games that you dream for as a kid," Hodges said on the Baseball Canada website. "Hitting a home run to tie the game in the ninth for your country is the best feeling in the world."
According to Baseball Canada, Hodges took a 1-0 pitch over the left-field wall to score himself and Daniel Pinero of Toronto and force extra innings.
Down 5-3 with two out in the ninth and with Pinero on first base, Hodges tagged a 1-0 pitch to tie the game and send the Canadian dugout into a frenzy.
"I was looking for something inside with two out, and I wanted to drive the ball," Hodges said. "I kept my top hand strong, hit it as hard as I could, and it left the ballpark."
Hodges scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the 10th.
The Victoria Mariners' shortstop who plays third base for Canada and Owen Spiwak of Mississauga, Ont., had recorded RBI singles in the fourth inning to give Canada its first lead of the game at 3-2. Falling behind 5-3, Canada required Hodges's heroics to pull off the opening win.
Canada beat Italy 4-3 in Game 2 late Friday night.
Canada is in Group B of the 12-team event, along with Japan, Italy, the Czech Republic, Chinese Tapei and Panama. Group A consists of Australia, South Korea, the United States, Venezuela, Netherlands and Colombia.
After Game 1, Hodges was in a three-way tie for the tournament lead in RBIs. His .667 batting average was tied for third.
