It was the usual script for Canadian teams participating at the Little League World Series but Matt Wilkinson did his best to try and change it.
Representing Canada, White Rock bowed out of championship contention in straight games at the 16-team event that wraps up on Sunday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Wilkinson got the call in Canada's opening game against Mexico on Friday and was simply brilliant.
He struck out 16 in just five innings of work before departing the game. Mexico went on to pull out a 1-0 win thanks to a ead-off triple in the sixth and a runscoring single.
The Ladner lefty was responsible for each of his team's outs, including an addition one in the fifth on a dropped third strike which allowed the Mexico batter to safely reach first base.
Unfortunately for White Rock and Wilkinson, his counterpart - Daniel Zaragoza - was equally effective, striking out 10 and allowing just three hits, in working all six innings.
Wilkinson got himself out of a big jam in the fourth when he gave up his only two hits of the game to lead off the inning. He then recorded a pair of Ks before hitting a batter to load the bases. Another strikeout ended the threat. He departed the game at 88 pitches.
White Rock then fell to Asia-Pacific champions Taipei, Taiwan 16-4 on Saturday to be relegated to consolation play for the remainder of the tournament.
B.C. teams have routinely represented Canada in Williamsport. White Rock secured its spot with a 16-0 win over the host East Nepean (Ottawa) at the Canadian Little League Championships which wrapped up on Aug. 16.
Wilkinson played for Ladner Minor Baseball up until the 2014 all-star season.
