March 31, 2021

BMOC Week 9

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

We’re right in the thick of the college baseball season as week nine of the BMOC comes to a close.

As the contenders try to separate themselves from the pretenders in 2021, Canadians are playing a key role in their team’s quest for victories. Learn more about the top performers below.

Grandmont garners a pair of accolades

With a four-game sweep of Saint Martin’s, Shawn Grandmont (Lethbridge, Alta.) and the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks ran their record to 17-3. In a 6-2 win in Game 1, Grandmont went 2-for-4 with a walk and a RBI. Grandmont hit a three-run home run in Game 2 to provide the only offence in a 3-0 victory. He hit another three-run home run in Game 3, and finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a stolen base in the 8-4 win. To finish things off, he went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a stolen base and was hit by a pitch as the Nighthawks won 8-1. He was named both the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association West Region Player of the Week for his work.

Marks cruises in Spartans win

The USC Upstate Spartans box scores are usually a fun one to check on Saturday mornings if you’re a college baseball fan. That’s because Jordan Marks (Bright’s Grove, Ont.) has been the Spartans Friday night starter, and he has been brilliant this season. This past week was no different as he picked up the win, to improve to 4-1, in a 5-0 victory over Winthrop. He tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed five hits and issued one free pass. The former Great Lakes Canadian struck out 10 and lowered his ERA to 1.83.

Vulcano erupts, Olson goes off

The Colby Trojans’ offence in their five games was fueled by a pair of Canadians.

To say John Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) had a good week at the plate for Colby Community College would be a huge understatement. Let’s take a look at Vulcano’s performance in each game. He went 3-for-5 with a RBI and a stolen base in an 18-15 win over McCook in a midweek clash. Next up on the slate was a four-gamer with Seward County. Game 1 went to Colby by a lopsided 17-3 score. The freshman had a 3-for-4 game with a three-run shot and five RBIs. The Trojans dropped Game 2 by a 13-12 score despite a 3-for-4 game with a grand slam, a walk and six RBIs from the Canadian. In an 11-8, Game 3 loss he had a hit and a walk before wrapping up his week by going 2-for-3 in a 17-1 loss in Game 4.

Zach Olson (Red Deer, Alta.) also gathered six hits, six walks and five RBIs in five games for the Trojans. Two of Olson’s six hits left the yard, both solo shots. Colby dropped the final three games of the week after opening with a pair of wins.

Forgione recognized

Cristian Forgione (Toronto, Ont.) was recognized by St. Lawrence University. Forgione was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a non-profit organization that recognizes student-athletes who excel both on and off the field. In order to be considered, the athlete must hold at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average.

Coleman receives award

Another student-athlete excelling in the classroom is David Coleman (Mississauga, Ont.) of High Point University. Coleman was recently given the Mills Scholar-Athlete Award. One of the main criteria for the award is maintaining a 3.0 grade point average of higher.

Gollert steals the show in relief

After their starter coughed up eight runs in 2 1/3 innings, the Austin Peay Governors were hoping Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont.) could stop the bleeding. Gollert certainly did by posting six scoreless innings in relief in the Governors’ 13-8, Game 1 win over Belmont. He gave up just two hits, walked three while striking out seven to earn his first win of the season.

Demchenko deals, but Friends fall

Zach Demchenko (Okotoks, Alta.) was magnificent, but it wasn’t enough as Friends University fell by a slim 2-1 margin to Sterling College. Demchenko went 8 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits. He walked only one and punched out 10 in the nail biting loss.

Jackson calms the Comets offence

Another name that is becoming more frequent in this column is Bellevue University’s Corey Jackson (Calgary, Alta.). Jackson was back at it in the Bruins’ 5-4 walk-off win over the Mayville State Comets in Game 1 of their series. He allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits over eight innings. He struck out 10 to help the Bruins to their 18th win of the year.

Keller, McKillican good for Grizzlies

Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) swung the bat well and Adam McKillican (Comox, BC) had a strong start for the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies last week.

Keller had four hits in the Grizzlies three games, including a solo home run in a 5-3 win against Campbellsville. He also added two walks, three RBIs and a hit by pitch.

McKillican got the start against Montreat and spun five scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and struck out five to earn the win in a 6-0 blanking.

Achen helps Blue Raiders bounce back

Making his second appearance in the BMOC in as many weeks, Cohen Achen (Calgary, Alta.) was tasked with helping Lindsey Wilson get back in the win column after a 14-11, Game 1 loss to Cumberland. Achen went on to throw a complete game, seven-inning gem. He surrendered one run on six hits, issued a pair of walks and struck out eight. So far this season he is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA.

Newman evens record

Zach Newman (Miramichi, NB) started for the Minot State Beavers and supplied them with 5 1/3 innings in a 3-2 win over Upper Iowa. Newman gave up three hits, the two runs and walked two. He also struck out one to move to 1-1 on the season.

Morris makes the most of Muleriders three games

Kobe Morris (Victoria, BC) played a pivotal part in the Southern Arkansas Muleriders’ three-game sweep of Southwestern Oklahoma State. Morris went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in a 9-1 win in Game 1. During a 5-3, Game 2 win, he went 3-for-4 with a stolen base. He again went 3-for-4 with a stolen base in Game 3, an 8-2 win. One of those hits was a solo home run.

Cameron, Tucker power Purple Eagles

It was a good weekend for the Niagara Purple Eagles as they travelled to Siena and took three of a possible four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games. Zach Cameron (Hamilton, Ont.) and Cole Tucker (Mount Pearl, Nfld.) both proved instrumental to the Purple Eagles success.

Cameron picked up his first save of the season in a 2-0 win in Game 1. He worked three innings and struck out two. The sophomore was then called upon again in Game 4 where he again shut the door to earn his second save. He worked two innings in the finale, walked one and struck out a pair.

Tucker didn’t play in Game 1 but made sure coach Rob McCoy wouldn’t take him out of the lineup after that with some strong play. Tucker went 2-for-4 with a RBI in a Game 2 loss, 2-for-3 in a Game 3 win and 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBIs in the Game 4 win.

Scott steps up

Tyler Scott (Calgary, Alta.) pounded out five hits in three games for No. 15 Bryan College. He launched a three-run home run in a 15-10 win over Cumberland. When the dust settled on the week, he also compiled a walk, four RBIs and a stolen base.

Chaput stellar

The best performance of the week for Sam Chaput (Boisbriand, Que.) came in Emporia State’s 18-15 loss to Rogers State in Game 1 of their series. Chaput went 3-for-5 with a walk and a RBI in the loss. He added two more hits and a stolen base in a 10-0, Game 2 win. Unfortunately for Chaput and the Hornets, they would drop the third game and the series.

Hunt an extra base machine

Oklahoma Panhandle State’s Ethan Hunt (Elginburg, Ont.) got his week rolling by going 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI in a 19-8 loss to Wayland Baptist. Hunt was even better in Game 2, a 10-9 win, as he went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. He went 3-for-4 with another double and RBI in a tough 10-7 loss in Game 3.

Ireland improves to 6-1

Thomas Ireland (Regina, Sask.) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5 1/3 innings to guide Polk State to a 14-4 win over St. Petersburg College in a Monday nighter. Ireland, who is now 6-1 with the win, walked four and struck out five in the outing.

Turcotte tabbed with Game 2 start

The Stony Brook Seawolves opened America East Conference play last weekend with a four-game set against Albany. Sam Turcotte (Toronto, Ont.) took the ball in Game 2 and delivered six innings in a 9-3 win. Turcotte surrendered five hits, one run and four walks. He struck out double digits, collecting 10 on the day. The Seawolves went on to sweep the four-game set.

DiLuca, Panthers feast on fowl

Lucas DiLuca (Windsor, Ont.) and the Eastern Illinois Panthers took down the Illinois State Redbirds in a midweek contest, then won two-of-three against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. In the 9-7 midweek win, DiLuca went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks in a 9-7 triumph. Against SEMO, DiLuca had five hits, a walk and two RBIs.

Palmegiani pummels Utah State Eastern

The No. 13 College of Southern Nevada Coyotes have won seven straight and are 25-6 overall after a three-game sweep of Utah State Eastern. Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC) stroked a pair of doubles in a 17-5 win in Game 1. Game 2 was a lot closer, going the way of the Coyotes by a 4-2 score. Palmegiani went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in the middle game. He finished the series with a hit and a RBI in a 7-5, Game 3 win. The Arizona Wildcat commit is hitting .376 with 13 home runs, 40 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 31 games played.

Rankin homers twice

Spencer Rankin (Richmond, BC) homered in the first two games of Missouri Valley’s series with Evangel. Rankin went 3-for-3 with a solo shot and a stolen base in his team’s 4-3 win in Game 1. Game 2 also went Missouri Valley’s way, this time by a 5-3 score, and Rankin hit his second homer, walked and drove in two. He went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in an 11-6, Game 3 loss. Up 2-1 in the series, he had a hit, a walk and a RBI in an 11-10 win in Game 4 to secure the series.

Abbott goes long in relief, gets first collegiate win

Attempting to pick up their first MAAC victory after being swept by Fairfield the previous week, the Canisius Golden Griffins needed a strong effort from Levi Abbott (Lethbridge, Alta.) out of their bullpen in Game 1 of their series with Iona. Abbott came on in the 10th inning of a 3-3 game and went five innings to pick up the win in a 5-4 decision. Making just his second college appearance, Abbott held the Gaels to three hits, an unearned run and two walks while punching out four.

Dick has at least a hit in four straight

Freshman Carlin Dick (Abbotsford, BC) chipped in a hit in Canisius College’s 5-4, 14-inning win over Iona in Game 1 of four in the series. Dick combined a hit with a walk in both wins in Games 2 and 3. He went 2-for-5 with a RBI and a stolen base in an 8-6 loss in Game 4.

Barton’s Brunner wins his third

Graham Brunner (Sherwood Park, Alta.) worked into the seventh inning in his start against Dodge City. Brunner lasted 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits in the 8-5 Barton win. He walked just one and struck out eight. His record now stands at 3-1.

Eymundson has four knocks

Appearing in five games for the Jamestown Jimmies, Dirk Eymundson (Parkland County, Alta.) went 4-for-10. On top of the hits, Eymundson contributed a pair of walks and a RBI.

Gauthier moves to 6-2 for the Buffs

Mathieu Gauthier (Candiac, Que.) gave up two unearned runs over six innings as the No. 10 West Texas A&M Buffs snuck past St. Mary’s 4-3 in Game 2 of their series. Gauthier scattered eight hits, walked one and struck out eight. The Buffs went on to sweep the three-game series and are now 21-3.

Massad beats Glenville State

Looking for his first win of 2021, Aiden Massad (Leamington, Ont.) threw five innings and gave up an unearned run for Alderson Broaddus as they dumped Glenville State 3-1. Massad worked around four hits and a walk during his start. He struck out five and now has 12 punch outs in 8 2/3 innings this season.

Grieder holds down McPherson

Andrew Grieder (Spruce Grove, Alta.) conceded two runs over 5 2/3 innings for Oklahoma Wesleyan during their Game 2 victory over McPherson. The two runs were the only ones the Eagles would give up in the 3-2 win. Grieder’s final line included four hits, two walks and two strike outs over 71 pitches.

Reyes goes off

Going 4-for-4 in Graceland University’s first game of the week was a sign of things to come from Matt Reyes (Vancouver, BC). Reyes went 10-for-15 with a home run and seven RBIs in five games for the Yellowjackets this past week. His home run, a solo shot, came in a 1-0 loss to Mount Mary in Game 1 of their series. After winning their midweek contest with Hastings, they were swept in the four-gamer with Mount Mercy. It was a tough series loss as they lost all 4 games by a combined six runs, including three one run defeats.

Hicks saves best for last

Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) walked and drove in a run for Arkansas State in their Game 1 loss to Illinois State. Game 2 saw him get in the hit column with a 2-for-3 showing with a walk and a hit by pitch in a 10-9 loss. Determined to lead his team to victory, he posted a 4-for-5 game with a walk and two RBIs as the Redwolves salvaged Game 3 with a 13-6 win.

Camacho-Soto hits .400

The week started with a hit, a walk and a RBI for Williams Camacho-Soto (Burnaby, BC) of the Cloud County Thunderbirds in a 7-1 win over Pratt. Camacho-Soto collected two hits and a RBI as the T-Birds doubled up their opponents 8-4 in Game 2. He punched a hit and was hit by a pitch in a high scoring 11-8 win in Game 3, then followed it up by going 2-for-5 with two doubles and a RBI in another 8-4 win in Game 4.

Defence lets down Potter, Cougars

The Western Nebraska Cougars kicked the baseball around to the tune of seven errors in a 14-2 loss to Northeastern. Will Potter (Kincardine, Ont.) was on the mound in the lopsided loss, but actually threw the ball pretty well. Potter got through five innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked three and struck out two but it wasn’t enough to overcome the shaky defence.

Pringle allows four unearned run

Looking for a series split, Hawaii Pacific handed the baseball to Gavin Pringle (Duncan, BC) in Game 4 of their series with Hawaii Hilo. Pringle tossed five innings and scattered two hits in a 9-7 loss. He allowed four unearned runs, walked three and struck out two, but three Hawaii Pacific errors did in the Sharks.

O’Toole took over for Iowa Western

Evan O’Toole (Bridgewater, NS) had everything under control in his start last week. O’Toole tossed a complete game, seven innings to pick up the win for Iowa Western in the third game of a four-game set with Kirkwood. The right-hander, who played for Vauxhall Academy before college, surrendered one run on five hits, walked a pair and struck out eight to improve to 4-0.

Marriott leaves the yard in finale

Former Ontario Terrier Zach Marriott (Oakville, Ont.) played in three games and had four hits, a walk and a stolen base for Hendrix College in their four-game series with Berry. Marriott hit a two-run in a 7-6 loss in Game 4.

Bucovetsky with five hits in three games

He didn’t appear in every game of Highland Community College’s four-game series with Labette, but Jake Bucovetsky (Toronto, Ont.) made an impact in the three that he did get in. Bucovetsky had five hits, two walks, five RBIs and a stolen base as Highland took 3-of-4. The best game of the series for the freshman came in a 10-8 win in Game 2 when he went 3-for-5 with four RBIs.

Nixon knocks in a pair

Drew Nixon (Toronto, Ont.) drove in two and had four hits in a pair of games for Valley City State. During a 9-2 win over Mayville State, Nixon went 3-for-5 with a RBI. Two of his four hits were doubles.

Marsh makes the best of light week

Cochise took a pair of wins from GateWay in their only two games of the week. Aaron Marsh (Nanaimo, BC) had four hits, including a 3-for-3 game with two walks, two RBIs and a stolen base in a 16-8 win. In the two games, he accumulated four hits, the two walks, the two RBIs and two stolen bases.

Takamatsu punishes Pittsburg State pitching

Garrett Takamatsu (Burlington, Ont.) reached via a hit in Central Oklahoma’s 8-2, Game 1 win over Pittsburg State. Takamatsu also stole a base and was hit by a pitch in the opener. He brought the bat in Game 2, going 3-for-4 with a walk and a RBI in a 10-3 loss. The week closed for the Bronchos with a 10-5 loss, but the former Indian Hills standout did have a hit and a walk.

Guzzo strikes out 14

With Genesee’s four-game series with Jamestown on the line, Joseph Guzzo (Sudbury, Ont.) struck out 14 over six innings to pick up the win and secure a 3-1 record for his team on the week. Guzzo allowed one hit, three runs (one earned) and walked four.

Leishman goes 6 1/3 in no-decision

Marshall Leishman (Toronto, Ont.) of Lake Michigan College lasted 6 1/3 innings in his Game 3 start against Kellogg. Leishman scattered five hits, while giving up a pair of unearned runs and four free passes. He punched out four, but Lake Michigan dropped the contest 3-2.

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It’s an exciting time of year to be a baseball fan. The new Major League Baseball campaign starts on Thursday and the college season continues to heat up. Don’t forget to read all about the potential stars of tomorrow right here each week.

Do you know someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column? Please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com. Please note our week runs Monday-Sunday.

Looking for even more coverage of Canadians in college baseball? Follow Matt Betts on Twitter at @Bettsy41.