BMOC Week XVIII: Arnold, Carinci, Mendham, Papineau, Shakotko
Great Lake Canadians alum Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) went 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA with the Canisius Golden Griffins this year. For his efforts, he has been named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Photo: Canisius Athletics
May 30, 2023
BMOC Week 18
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
Division I postseason play got underway this past week and plenty of Canadians hit the field in hopes of bringing home a conference championship. Other levels of college baseball saw teams continue their quest toward a national title. Let’s jump into the thick of it with Week 18 of the BMOC.
Duffy named Pitcher of the Year
Before we get to the play on the field, let’s start with a major award.
Canisius Golden Griffins right-hander Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) was outstanding in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this season, pitching to a 6-1 record and a 2.25 ERA. He was so good the conference named him their Pitcher of the Year, the first Griff to win the award since fellow Canadian J.P. Stevenson (New Glasgow, P.E.I.) in 2018.
Unsurprisingly he was also named to the All-MAAC First Team.
Mendham makes All-Tournament Team
The Big 12 Conference Tournament didn’t end the way David Mendham (Dorchester, Ont.) and the No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys hoped with a loss to Texas Christian University in the championship game, but did the Canadian ever have a strong showing. Mendham pounded out 11 hits, walked once, drove in six and was hit by a pitch in six games. He got the scoring started in an 8-3 Game 3 win over rival Oklahoma with a three-run home run. Two games later, during a 6-5 victory over Texas Tech, he went 4-for-4. His strong play caught the attention of the conference as he was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Three Canadian Cougars earn honours
A trio of Barton Community College Cougars were recognized for their strong seasons
Ricardo Sanchez (Okotoks, Alta.) was named to the All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West First Team and the All-Region VI Second Team. Sanchez hit .323 with seven home runs and 71 RBIs while slugging .542 and swiping 22 bases in 59 games.
Riley Silva (Cambridge, Ont.) joined Sanchez on the All-KJCCC West First Team and All-Region VI Second Team. The outfielder finished 2023 with a .368 batting average. He stole 44 bases and tripled six times. His stolen base total was the second most in a single season in program history.
Infielder Dryden Howse (Okotoks, Alta.) was a All-KJCCC Honourable Mention after hitting .349 with eight home runs and 57 RBIs. He closed out the season with a .513 on-base percentage and slugged .620.
Carillon Sultans grad Brady Papineau (Great Falls, Man.) batted .367 in 30 games for Dakota College at Bottineau to earn himself a spot on the All-Region XIII Team. Photo: Dakota College Athletics
Papineau picks up All-Region accolade
Brady Papineau (Great Falls, Man.) played in 30 games for Dakota College at Bottineau and hit .367 to go along with a .500 on-base percentage. Those numbers earned him a spot on the All-Region XIII Team.
Dykstra an All-Conference selection
Sophomore catcher Connor Dykstra (Chilliwack, BC) is hitting .293 with eight home runs, 43 RBIs and a .949 OPS for the George Mason Patriots. His numbers landed him on the All-Atlantic 10 First Team.
Arnold’s secure spot on All-Conference Team
Bryce Arnold (Grimsby, Ont.) was an All-Big South First Team pick. His bounce back season after an injury plagued 2022 featured a .323 batting average with 16 home runs, 60 RBIs and a 1.073 OPS. In Big South play, he’s hit .353.
Groves recognized for rookie campaign
The All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie Team included Nick Groves (London, Ont.) The Niagara Purple Eagles freshman was second on the team with a .339 average. He walked 57 times, stole 21 bases and has a .925 OPS. During conference play, his batting average rose to .391.
Vauxhall Academy grad Demitri Shakotko (Fredericton, N.B.) batted .413 with seven home runs in 45 games for the Cloud County Thunderbirds. For his efforts, he was named to both the All-KJCCC West First Team and the All-Region VI Second Team. Photo: Cloud County Athletics
Shakatko’s standout season earns him pair of honours
Demitri Shakotko (Fredericton, NB) made quite the impression with the Cloud County Thunderbirds by hitting .413 with seven home runs, 39 RBI and a 1.184 OPS in 45 games. He led the Thunderbirds in average en route to being named to both the All-KJCCC West First Team and the All-Region VI Second Team.
Spoljaric stellar in Pac-12 title game
With the Pac-12 Conference championship on the line the Oregon Ducks turned to freshman Turner Spoljaric (Lisle, Ont.) to make the start. Spoljaric delivered six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits to pick up his sixth win in the 5-4 victory over Arizona. He struck out three in securing the Ducks’ regional berth.
Sirois homers twice in World Series
Mathieu Sirois (Quebec City, Que.) hit a three-run home run in No. 5 Bellevue’s 6-4 loss to No. 8 William Cary to open the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics World Series. The Bruins would fall in their second game 5-3 in 11 innings to Indiana Wesleyan and were bounced from the tournament. Sirois went out swinging though, going 3-for-5 with a solo home run.
Kush K’s six in ASUN championship opener
Jacob Kush (Guelph, Ont.) got the ball for Austin Peay in Game 1 of their ASUN Baseball Championship versus Eastern Kentucky and lasted 6 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts in a 3-2 loss.
Toronto Mets and Team Ontario alum Justin Carinci (Ajax, Ont.) batted .413 and had 43 stolen bases for the Mineral Area College Cardinals. Photo: Twitter
Carinci an All-Region First Team selection
Justin Carinci (Ajax, Ont.) was named to the All-Region XVI and the All-Defensive Team. Carinci led Mineral Area College with a .413 batted average and 43 stolen bases. He fielded at a .946 clip as an outfielder.
Gollert named to All-Tournament Team
Lefty Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont.) won his 10th game by going seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits as Oral Roberts beat Omaha 9-2 in their first game of the Summit League Baseball Championship. The Ontario Blue Jays grad walked three and struck out seven. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
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More postseason baseball awaits this week. Remember, we have you covered right here each week until the final out is recorded.
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-Sunday.
Be sure to follow Matt Betts at @Bettsy41 for extensive Canadian baseball coverage all season long.