BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Badgers, Golden Hawks continue to set the pace
T. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University baseball team (9-1 OUA, 19-1 overall) swept the Guelph Gryphons, winning by scores of 1-0 and 5-2 Wednesday night at George Taylor Field. With the two victories, the Badgers move into first place in the OUA.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Guelph 0 @ Brock 1
Guelph 2 @ Brock 5
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - The Brock University baseball team (9-1 OUA, 19-1 overall) swept the Guelph Gryphons, winning by scores of 1-0 and 5-2 Wednesday night at George Taylor Field. With the two victories, the Badgers move into first place in the OUA.
In Game One, it was a pitcher's dual, as Brock starter Johnny Hutton and Guelph's Casey Bouillere-Howard went head-to-head. Hutton threw six shutout innings giving up four hits while striking out six. Bouillere-Howard was equally as impressive, throwing eight shutout innings allowing six hits while striking out a game-high nine Brock batters.
Out of the bullpen, Dylan Perego (1 2/3 IP, 1H, 2K), Jeffrey Baggaley (1/3 IP, 0H) and Phil Owen (1 IP, 2H, 1K, W) shutdown the Gryhons offense, combining for the six-hit shutout.
In the bottom of the ninth, Brock's Dan Nicoletta led off with a double. Wil Nicholson would move Nicoletta to third with a sacrifice. Marcus Beal would then pinch-hit and scored Nicoletta with a game-winning RBI single, for the Badgers third walk-off victory of the season.
Leading the Badgers was Phil Steer who went 2-for-3. The other six Brock hits came from Justin Gideon, Ricky Ferri, Blair Gignac, Nicoletta, Nicholson and Beal.
In Game Two, Brock added four runs in the opening three innings, on route to their ninth conference win of the season.
Badgers southpaw Daniel Veres went 4 2/3 innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five and walking six. for his third victory of the season. In relief, Matthew Watson (2 IP, 1H, 3K), Frederick Rioux (1H) and Owen (1/3 IP, 1H, SV) combined for three innings of shutout ball in the win.
Guelph's Jeff Snelgrove suffered the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits over three innings of work.
The Badgers offense collected 10 hits in total, led by Gignac who was 3-for-3 with a double and RBI. Ferri was 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs scored. Steer, Gideon, Nicoletta, Nick Anton, Nicholson and Chris Anderi all chipped in with one hit each.
Leading the Gryphons was Justin Interisano who was 3-for-3.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Western 12 @ Waterloo 8
Western 1 @ Waterloo 2
WATERLOO, Ont. – The Warriors baseball team had an impressive showing on the weekend, splitting a double-header with the Western Mustangs and sweeping the Guelph Gryphons. Michael Clouthier (Guelph) was his usual offensive self, batting 9-15 (.600) in the effort on route to winning athlete-of-the-week. The Warriors move to 7-5 on the season.
The Warriors opened slowly out of the gate against Western on Saturday and couldn't get back into the game. Adam Lentz (Calgary) got the nod but the Mustangs had his number early, scoring 5 runs in the second inning following by 4 runs in the fourth inning. Waterloo tried to climb back in, scoring 5 runs in the ninth inning but it was too little too late as they dropped the first match 12-8.
Game two of the double-header was a completely different story as offence was hard to come by. Ben Tinklin (Kitchener) seemed poised on the mound, allowing only 1 run in the seventh inning to preserve a 2-1 victory. 2B James McCullough (Toronto) had a strong outing going 2-3 with 4 PO in the victory. Warriors split against the Mustangs 1-1 in the series.
McMaster 10 @ Guelph 14
McMaster 7 @ Guelph 9
GUELPH, Ont. – The Gryphons defeated the McMaster Marauders Saturday afternoon in a pair of games at Hastings Field in Guelph. The Gryphons took the first game 14-10 and followed that up with a 9-7 victory in game two.
In the first game of the day the Gryphons took a 9-6 lead heading into the third inning. Guelph then went silent until a five-run eighth inning secured the 14-10 victory for the Gryphons.
Guelph was led in the offensive outburst by two-time league hitting champion Justin Interisano who notched two hits in three at bat's including a six RBI's. At the mound, Stephen Friend started and lasted three innings with four strikeouts allowing eight hits. Backup J. Abram came in and played three innings allowing two runs and throwing three strikeouts.
In the second game of the day the Gryphons earned a 9-7 win over Toronto to sweep the McMaster Marauders on the day. The Gryphons doubled the Marauders in hits 12-6 on the day.
Guelph took an early 8-0 lead in the contest after three innings thanks to great pitching from Matt Hill who finished who threw four innings allowing four hits and throwing eight strikeouts. Leading the offence was Mitch Pike with two hits and four RBI's.
Source: Guelph Gryphons
Toronto 2 @ Laurier 12
Toronto 4 @ Laurier 9
TORONTO – The Wilfrid Laurier men's baseball team hosted the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in OUA Baseball action on Saturday afternoon at Bechtel Park. This double-header was a match-up of the last two OUA Champions as Toronto had won two consecutive OUA Baseball Championships in 2011 and 2012 before Laurier captured the crown in 2013. Laurier swept the double header with victories of 12-2 and 9-4.
The two wins improve Laurier's conference record to 9-1.
Game One: Jordan Petruska was his usual impressive self for the Golden Hawks as he threw a complete game (8 innings due to mercy rule). The Laurier hitters were patient at the plate, drawing 16 walks. The Golden Hawks scored in 6 of their 8 offensive innings which put a lot of pressure on the defence and pitching of the opposition.
Game Two:
Offensively this may have been the Golden Hawks most complete game of the season as they pounded out 13 hits. Adam Shaver showed he is healthy with a huge offensive game. Adam McBride and Zach Lawrence were both solid on the hill.
"We played two very complete games today" commented Head Coach Scott Ballantyne. "We didn't record a lot of hits in game one, but capitalized on a number of walks and put pressure on their defence the entire game. We swung the bats very well in game two and our pitching and defence in both was solid once again."
Brock 8 @ Ryerson 3
Brock 12 @ Ryerson 4
TORONTO - The Brock University baseball team (21-2 overall, 11-1 OUA) swept both ends of a doubleheader against the Ryerson Rams Saturday afternoon winning by scores of 8-3 and 12-4.
In Game One, Brock starter Justin Ayles threw seven complete innings, allowing no runs on five hits while striking out a game-high seven, for his fourth straight OUA victory.
Brock's offense was led by Phil Steer who was 2-for-5 with a double, triple and RBI. Dan Nicoletta (2-for-4, RBI) and Blair Gignac (2-for-3, RBI) both collected two hits each. Justin Gideon (1-for-4, RBI) and Ricky Ferri (1-for-4, RBI) rounded out the Badgers hitting.
In Game Two, Brock got out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth, before answering with eight consecutive runs, including a four-run sixth.
With the score tied 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, Ryerson had the bases loaded with one out. Badgers reliever Phil Owen would enter the game and pick off the runner at second base and strikeout the next Rams hitter to get out of the inning unharmed.
In the top of the 6th, Gignac drove in two of the Badgers next four runs with a two-run triple. In the 7th, Brock's Blake Stepien would make history, becoming the first Badgers player in the 20 years of the program to hit an inside the park grand slam.
Leading the way at the plate, was Gignac who went 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI, Stepian 1-for-1, with his first career homerun and career-high four RBI and Marcus Beal who collected two hits going 2-for-2. Gideon and Ferri both added RBI singles and combined for six stolen bases. Steer was 0-for-1 with three walks, hit by pitch and four stolen bases.
On the mound, Brandon Beattie started and threw 3 1/3 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits with six K's in a no decision. Matt Watson would strikeout two of the five batters he faced in the fourth allowing one run on two hits. Owen went 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits with two strikeouts for the victory.
Sunday, Sept. 28
Guelph 5 @ Waterloo 7
Guelph 2 @ Waterloo 8
WATERLOO, Ont. – On Sunday, a rejuvenated Warriors squad had their way with the Guelph Gryphons. Ryne Weppler (Walkerton) was looking to defend his 2-1 record against an offensively talented Guelph group. The Warriors had a 4 run outburst in the third inning that was enough to hang on for a tight victory. The game finished 7-5 while Clouthier was credited with his OUA leading second save of the season.
In the final game of the weekend, Waterloo picked up where they left off and let the offence speak for itself. Behind solid pitching from Mike Gatchene (Kitchener), the black and gold needed only one solid inning of batting, scoring 5 runs in the third inning on route to an 8-2 defeat of the Gryphons. After losing their first game of the weekend, the Warriors closed out with three straight victories to go 3-1.
Western 2 @ Laurier 3
Western 2 @ Laurier 7
WATERLOO, Ont. (September 29, 2014) - The Wilfrid Laurier men's baseball team finished off a very solid Homecoming weekend on Sunday by sweeping a double header from the Western Mustanges by scores of 3-2 and 7-2. Laurier relied on strong pitching and some timely hitting to win both games.
The two wins improve the Golden Hawks record to 11-1 in conference play.
Game One: This game belonged to Brett van Pelt as he was brilliant working a complete game. He was efficient, keeping his pitch count low and kept a strong hitting team off balance. Laurier scored all their runs in the 4th inning and held on for the victory.
Game Two: The Golden Hawks fell behind early after uncharacteristically allowing 2 unearned runs in the 3rd inning. Laurier fought back with 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning and then extended the lead in the 5th inning. Andrew Ziedins was excellent on the mound and Laurier had some great approaches at the plate to score 7 runs.
"We continue to look to improve each and every weekend and we're pleased with the results this weekend," commented Head Coach Scott Ballantyne. "Our four starting pitchers all had excellent outings this weekend and when we pitch that well, we are tough to beat. We will continue to work at getting better each week as we head into October
Brock 2 @ Toronto 1
Brock 6 @ Toronto 5
TORONTO - The Brock University baseball team (13-1 OUA, 23-2 overall) continued their winning ways, as they defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues by scores of 2-1 and 6-5 Sunday afternoon on the road.
In Game One, Brock rookie righthander Dylan Perego went head-to-head against one of the OUA's all-time best pitchers in Toronto's Marek Deska. Perego went 7 1/3 innings allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts, while Deska threw seven complete giving up one run on five hits with six K's.
In the top of the 9th, with the score tied 1-1 and one out, Marcus Beal would be issued a walk. Brock put on the hit and run, and Dan Nicoletta would come through in the clutch with a base hit putting runners on first and third. Wil Nicholson would then drive one deep to the outfield, scoring Beal from third for the RBI sac fly giving Brock a 2-1 lead.
Jeff Baggeley threw one shutout inning, before handing the ball over to closer Phil Owen who closed out the final 2/3 innings for his 11th career save, tying former Badger Eric DeBoer.
Phil Steer led the Badgers offense going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Rookie Blake Stepien was 2-for-3 with a double, while Justin Gideon, Ricky Ferri and Nicoletta all collected single hits in the one-run victory.
In Game Two, the Badgers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first and held on right until the final out for the 6-5 victory.
In the bottom of the 7th with Brock leading 6-5, Toronto had runners on first and third with one out. Coach Lounsbury would once again go to Owen, who came on in relief and struckout the next batter and got a groundout to end the game, for his second save of the afternoon and all-time leading 12th career save.
At the plate, Gideon had a three-hit game going 3-for-4 with an RBI and stolen base. Koddi Quick (2-for-2, 2 RBI), Steer (2-for-5) and Nicoletta (2-for-3, 2B) all contributed with two hits each. Rounding out the offense were Ferri (1-for-3), Ryan Laird (1-for-4, RBI) and Beal (1-for-3, 2B).
Brock lefty Daniel Veres got the start going 3 1/3 innings allowing four runs on three hits with five walks and two strikeouts. Ryan Beckett picked up the victory, throwing three complete innings giving up on run on two hits with four strikeouts. Owen retired all four batters he faced on the afternoon finishing with his third and fourth saves of the season.
Other Scores:
York 8 @ Queen's 18
York 6 @ Queen's 10
Queen's 1 @ Ryerson 0
Queen's 2 @ Ryerson 12
