Mexican slugger Daniel Durazo’s grand slam proved to be the final blow Team Canada would absorb at the world championships Saturday.

In the top of the sixth Saturday afternoon, the 18-year-old first baseman smashed an Eric Healey offering over the fence to give Mexico an 8-5 lead in their consolation playoff matchup.

Canada would close to within one on a two-run shot off the bat of Taylor Schubada in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to tie the game, losing 8-7.

The loss meant Canada finished the world championships in seventh place, ahead of just the Czech Republic, Denmark and Singapore.

Durazo found his sweet stroke in Mexico’s game versus Singapore Tuesday, hitting three home runs in that game.

“It’s just about waiting for the right ball,” Durazo told the Star through local interpreter Brenda Balderas. “As soon as I see a ball that I like, I hit it.”

Leadoff batter Rafael Alvarez also homered for Mexico, giving Canadian starter Marc Villeneuve a rough welcome to the game.

Matt Pilon drove one over the fence for Canada in the third, scoring three to give the hosts an early 4-3 lead.

Mexico would go on to face the USA in the consolation final Sunday, losing the battle for fifth 11-5.

Colton Nielson had four RBIs in the win, while USA ace Phil Zimmerman struck out five and allowed just one run to earn the win.

Canada beat Singapore 8-5 Friday afternoon to complete their round robin games with a record of 4-5.

Francois-Charles Rene led Canada offensively, smacking four hits – two of them triples – alongside three RBIs.

Leadoff hitter Tyler Pauli added a two-run homer, while Healey pitched the entire game for the win, striking out nine.

Canada would face Singapore again Saturday during their first game of the consolation playoffs, winning 11-1.

The hosts broke the game wide open in the top of the fourth, scoring five, before adding six more in the top of the fifth.

Pauli hit a three-run homer in the fifth to put an exclamation mark on the scoring, while Matt Wardrop got the win on the mound.

Canadian head coach Jim Jones lamented his team’s overall pitching struggles following their 7-0 loss to Japan on Thursday.

He said Softball Canada needs to find players who can throw 80 mph.

“We’ve got the best pitchers that Canada has here right now,” said Jones, who hails from Leduc, Alta.

“When we were here in 2008, Devon McCullough and Dustin Keshane were throwing 78 to 82 mph. You can ride those two guys all week.”

His team also struggled at the plate, however. Despite seven of the nine regular starters batting lefthanded, the Canadians were rarely able to get anything going against the tournament’s stronger teams.

The hosts were shut out three times in their nine round robin games.

Assistant coach Doug Chase said the pressure Canada faced as the host country was a new experience for the young players.

“Every single team wants to beat Canada,” he said. “We get everybody’s best game. So there’s added pressure. I don’t know if that’s because we’re hosts, or because we’re a good team.”

Canadian leader Shubada said he appreciated the support of the fans.

“I think it kind of helps actually, having the crowd behind you and having the atmosphere like we do,” the 19-year-old said.

“It gets you pumped up a little bit more than you normally would be if you were somewhere else.”