Canada’s quest for a spot at the Tokyo Olympics got started on the right foot thanks to the left arm of Andrew Albers who with the help of two others threw a no-hitter.
The North Battleford native got the start for Team Canada in an Olympic qualifier and he had a dazzling effort. Albers struck out seven while allowing no hits in seven innings of work as Canada beat Colombia 7-0. Brendan McGuigan and Ben Onyshko finished off the no-hitter for Canada with an inning each, adding two strikeouts apiece for a total of 11 for Canada.
The winner of the eight-team tournament qualifies for the Tokyo Games this summer. The second- and third-place finishers will compete at a last-chance qualifier for the sixth and final entry at the Olympics.
Canada is competing in Group B and will face Cuba on Tuesday and Venezuela on Wednesday to wrap up preliminary-round action.
Regina’s Dustin Molleken is also a member of Team Canada.
