BMOC Week XIV: Butt, Cerkownyk, Jessamine, Marsh, Roy, Shakotko, Walker
Langley Blaze alum Ryan Beitel (Surrey, BC). threw a two-hit shutout for UBC in his start against Corban University. His start earned him Cascade Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week honours. Photo: UBC Athletics
May 2, 2023
BMOC Week 14
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
April came to a close this past weekend and with it so did several team’s regular seasons. Canadians across all levels of college baseball were performing at a high level yet again. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights.
UBC wins three of four, set for conference tournament
The University of British Columbia took three of four from Corban University to finish the regular season 31-19 overall and 16-8 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.
Sean Heppner (Point Roberts, Wash.) set the tone with a complete game performance in an 11-1 Game 1 win. Heppner allowed one run on six hits and struck out twelve.
Ryan Beitel (Surrey, BC) followed with a complete game of his own in an 11-0 Game 2 victory. He yielded two hits, walked one and struck out eight over the seven scoreless innings. His efforts earned him the CCC Pitcher of the Week.
When it came to producing offence, four Thunderbirds made significant contributions.
Brandon Hupe (Vancouver, BC) had six hits, walked once, drove in six and was hit by a pitch. He hit a two-run home run in Game 1 and another in a 9-2 Game 4 win.
Trent Lenihan (White Rock, BC) chipped in seven hits, including three doubles, drove in six, stole two bases and was hit by a pitch.
Aaron Marsh (Nanaimo, BC) had four multi-hit games en route to nine hits in all. He also walked three times, drove in four, stole a base and was hit by a pitch.
North Delta Blue Jays and Okotoks Dawgs alum Johnny McGill (Richmond, BC) had seven hits - including a grand slam and four doubles - for UBC this past week. Photo: UBC Athletics
Jonny McGill (Richmond, BC) amassed seven hits, three walks and five RBI. He hit a grand slam in the Game 4 victory. Four of his seven hits were doubles.
The Thunderbirds closed the season in a tie for first with Oregon Tech, but will be the two-seed to open the conference tournament due to a tie breaker.
When they get there, they’ll meet the College of Idaho.
Roy, Shakotko drive T-Birds offence
Two other Canadians played well for the Thunderbirds, the Cloud County Thunderbirds that is.
Gavin Roy (Sudbury, Ont.) had four two-hit games as the T-Birds took three of four from Colby Community College. Roy walked once, drove in six, stole three bases and was hit by a pitch. He hit a two-run home run and a three-run home run in a 15-9 Game 3 win. His three stolen bases came in a 7-0 Game 2 victory.
Demitri Shakotko (Fredericton, NB) was not to be outdone, as he had 13 hits, walked twice, drove in eight and was hit by a pitch. He had four hits in both Game 1, a 9-4 loss, and in a 20-18 Game 4 win. He joined Roy with a solo home run in Game 3.
MacLean, Canning make most of doubleheader
Tanner MacLean (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) and Hunter Canning (Dartmouth, N.S.) dominated for Sussex County Community College in their doubleheader against Delaware Tech.
MacLean threw a complete game and allowed two runs on eight hits in a 14-2 win in Game 1. He struck out nine and moved to 5-0.
Canning also threw a complete game, giving up one run in a 5-1 Game 2 win. He surrendered four hits, issued four walks and struck out four. Canning is now 5-1.
Vauxhall Academy alum Martin Vincelli-Simard (St. Therese, Que.) had eight hits and seven RBIs for the Sacramento State Hornets this past week. Photo: Sacramento State Athletics
Vincelli-Simard, Valero sting opposing pitchers
A pair of Canadian Sacramento State Hornets had strong offensive performances.
Martin Vincelli-Simard (St. Therese, Que.) had eight hits, seven RBIs and was hit by a pitch in four games. He swatted a pair of solo home runs in a 21-9 Game 2 loss to New Mexico State before hitting a three-run home run in a 16-10 Game 3 victory to secure the series win.
Cesar Valero (Calgary, Alta.) delivered four hits, walked five times and drove in five. He also hit a three-run home run in the Game 3 win.
Jessamine, Palmiere help Comets to series win
While we’re on the theme of high performing teammates, how about Kole Jessamine (Abbotsford, BC) and Derek Palmiere (Okotoks, Alta.) of the Mayville State Comets?
Offensively, Jessamine totaled eight hits, two walks and 10 RBIs. The sophomore outfielder hit a two-run home run in an 18-6 Game 1 win over Valley City State, a three-run home run in a 15-14 Game 3 loss and another two-run home run in a 4-0 Game 4 victory.
Palmiere got the start in Game 4 and put together five scoreless innings as part of a combined no-hitter. The right-hander walked two and struck out three.
Canadian Cowboys Boscarino, Cerkownyk, Simpson have big weeks
Wait, how about one more set of Canadian teammates?
None may be having better collective seasons than Connors State’s Luca Boscarino (Mississauga, Ont.), Brady Cerkownyk (Toronto, Ont.) and Blake Simpson (Toronto, Ont.).
Boscarino did all of his damage out of the leadoff spot, putting together 10 hits, three walks, seven RBIs, and a stolen a base. He homered in an 11-1 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan and again in a 14-4 Game 4 victory over Seminole State (OK). Boscarino owns a .315 average with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Ontario Blue Jays alum Brady Cerkownyk (Toronto, Ont.) had four home runs for Connors State last week, bringing his season total to 24. Photo: Connors State Athletics
Speaking of home runs, Brady Cerkownyk had four of them last week, bringing his season total to 24. In the five games, Cerkownyk collected 10 hits, worked a walk and drove in 11. On the season, he’s hitting .468 with 102 RBIs.
Simpson had 10 hits, as well, to go along with a walk and 10 RBIs. To open the week he went 4-for-4 with a RBI in an 11-1 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan. To close it, he homered in Game 4 win. With three games left in the regular season, Simpson has a .411 average and 50 RBIs.
Connors State is 48-5.
Devine with long relief in loss
Liam Devine (Guelph, Ont.) settled things down out of the bullpen for St. Bonaventure with five innings of work, but it wasn’t enough as the Bonnies dropped Game 1 of their series with the University of Massachusetts 7-5. Devine allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with a walk and five punch outs.
Butt backs Williston with seven scoreless
Southpaw Kody Butt (St. John’s, Nfld.) threw seven scoreless innings and Williston State scored three in the top of the eighth of a seven inning game to down Dawson Community College 3-2. Butt gave up three hits, walked two and struck out five.
Batista matches Butt
There’s nothing quite like an all-Canadian pitching duel. Opposing Butt was Dawson hurler Dylan Batista (Calderon, Ont.). Batista also threw seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out seven.
Achen outstanding in tough luck loss
Cohen Achen (Calgary, Alta.) surrendered one run over eight innings in Lindsey Wilson’s 1-0 loss to Freed-Hardeman. Achen conceded five hits, walked one and fanned 10.
Former Great Lake Canadian Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) struck out 14 in seven scoreless innings in his start for the Canisius Golden Griffins in their 15-0 win over Saint Peter’s. Photo: Canisius Athletics
Duffy dominates Saint Peter’s
Former Great Lake Canadian Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) worked seven scoreless innings as the Canisius Golden Griffins beat Saint Peter’s 15-0 in Game 1 of their conference series. Duffy allowed one hit and struck out 14. He’s now 5-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference starts.
Olchoway strikes out 11
Ryan Olchoway (Saskatoon, Sask.) punched out 11 over five innings as Ottawa University dumped Bethany 12-1. Olchoway gave up one run on two hits and a pair of walks to earn win No. 6.
Hrynkiw riding high
It was a solid end to the regular season for College of Science and Arts of Oklahoma’s Antonio Hrynkiw (Brechin, Ont.) as he had five hits, two walks, four RBIs and two stolen bases in two games. He hit a solo home run and finished 3-for-4 in a 20-0 Game 3 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Drovers will meet Southwestern Christian in Game 1 of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament this week.
Harper’s Johnston shuts down hitters
Quinton Johnston (Sarnia, Ont.) gave up one run over seven innings to lead Harper College to a 6-1 victory over Moraine Valley. He scattered eight hits, walked one and struck out six in the start.
Toronto Mets alum CJ Maury (Brampton, Ont.) had eight hits - including a three-run home run - for Wayne State this past week. Photo: Wayne State Athletics
Maury mashes home run
Wayne State’s CJ Maury (Brampton, Ont.) collected himself eight hits, worked three walks, drove in three and stole three bases. His three RBIs came via a home run in a 7-2 Game 4 win over Parkside.
Walker with three home runs
Josh Walker (Victoria, BC) launched three home runs in six games for the University of Mary. He hit a solo shot in a 16-3 win over Northern State. In a 14-7 victory over Minot State, he hit a three-run home run and a two-run shot. When the week was over, he had 10 hits, three walks, 10 RBIs and was hit by a pair of pitches.
Gollert gives Golden Eagles six
Lefty Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont) tossed six innings and surrendered two runs on six hits as Oral Roberts defeated South Dakota State 10-3. He struck out seven en route to improving his record to 6-1.
Chester helps Titans bounce back
After losing Game 1 of their series to Cal State Northridge 11-4, Cal State Fullerton turned the ball over to Fynn Chester (Victoria, BC) in Game 2 and he delivered five scoreless innings in a 15-1 win. The junior allowed four hits and struck out three. He’s now 7-0 on the season.
ABC alum Felix Chenier-Rondeau (Blainville, Que.) had five hits - including a grand slam - in three games for Oklahoma City University this past week. Photo: Oklahoma City University Athletics
Chenier-Rondeau hits grand slam
Felix Chenier-Rondeau (Blainville, Que.) started his week with a grand slam for Oklahoma City University in a 19-1 thumping of Central Christian. Over the course of the three games, he had five hits, a walk and eight RBIs. The Stars will now meet Southwest Assemblies of God in Game 1 of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.
Dray K’s four
Lucas Dray (Kelowna, BC) closed the campaign with five innings of work for Dakota State at Bottineau. The left-hander allowed three unearned runs on five hits in an 8-5 loss to North Dakota State College of Science. He issued one walk and struck out four.
Smith wins in relief
Six innings of relief provided by Garret Smith (Coaldale, Alta.) helped Siena Heights to an 8-5 victory over Rochester. Smith conceded one run on two hits, walked one and struck out five.
Villalobos has four hits
Alfonso Villalobos (Kirkland, Que.) had four hits, three walks, three RBIs and two stolen bases in Galveston’s three-game series with Blinn. He hit a home run in a 4-3 Game 3 loss. Unfortunately for Villalobos and the Whitecaps, they were swept.
Hammond named ECC Player of the Week
Ethan Hammond (Oakville, Ont.) was an extra base machine for D'Youville last week. He had seven hits, walked three times and drove in seven. Of his seven hits, one was a solo home run and four were doubles. For his play, he was named the East Coast Conference Player of the Week.
Terriers alum Austin Gomm (Georgetown, Ont.) had 11 hits and nine RBIs for Parkland College this past week. Photo: Parkland College Athletics
Gomm keeps on hitting
The strong season Austin Gomm (Georgetown, Ont.) is putting together for Parkland College continued last week in a 3-1 series win over Lincoln Land. Gomm amassed 11 hits and nine RBIs. He hit a home run in a 16-13 Game 1 loss before hitting another in a 2-1 Game 3 win. With the series win on the line, he homered again in a 12-7 Game 4 victory.
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Another month of strong Canadian performances is in the books. As the calendar turns to the first weekend in May, many teams open conference tournament play, while others continue their push for the postseason. Don’t forget we recap all the highlights right here in the BMOC each week.
Do you know of a player deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column? Email Matt Betts at mattbetts@canadianbaseballnetwork.com. Please note that our week runs Monday to Sunday.
Be sure to follow Matt Betts at @Bettsy41 for extensive Canadian baseball coverage all season long.