BMOC Week 15

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

The college baseball postseason is here for many schools and others are heading down the home stretch. The pressure is mounting but that doesn't seem to be bothering a lot of Canadian players. Below are the top performances from the last week.

Cowboy Mendham named to All-Region II team

The season David Mendham (Dorchester, Ont.) had was deserving of recognition and he received it when he was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I All-Region II team. Mendham led the region with a .404 average and 72 RBIs. He was also fifth in home runs with 10. Last week in three games, he was 4-for-13 with a home run, three walks and four RBIs.

Small named All-Region

Tyler Small (Mississauga, Ont.) was named to the NJCAA Region II team, as well. He finished the season hitting .369 with 5 home runs, 43 RBIs and nine stolen bases. for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Brookman earns respect for bat, glove

The offensive skill isn't the only talent Archer Brookman (Pointe-Claire, Que.) of Seminole State (OK) possesses. Brookman was named a gold glove recipient at first base in NJCAA Division I Region II with a .992 fielding percentage. To close out the regular season Brookman was also good offensively. In Game 1 of their series with Connors State he hit a home run and went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. He hit a double in a 4-3 Game 2 loss. Then he went 3-for-5 with two triples and a RBI in an 11-3 Game 3 win.

Desjardins busy as postseason commences

Brandon Desjardins (Calgary, Alta.) had one final tuneup prior to the Bellevue Bruins starting the North Star Athletic Association Tournament. It came in a 24-12 Game 3 win over Waldorf when he threw 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and an unearned run. He struck out five in the high scoring affair. Desjardins was thrown into postseason play in Game 1 against Viterbo and he closed out a 5-3 win to earn his second save. He threw two scoreless, hitless innings, walked one and struck out four. In Game 2 of the tournament against Presentation, a 6-3 win, he earned his third save by going another two scoreless, hitless innings. He struck out five in that one.

Myers, Wabash Valley run away with regular season

The season NJCAA Division I No. 1 Wabash Valley has had has been spectacular. The Warriors finished the regular season 49-1, with the only loss coming in the third game of the season on February 16th. Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.) belted 10 hits, walked five times, had five RBIs and stole seven bases. He finishes the regular season with 72 stolen bases.

Johnson wins again

What a regular season for Ryan Johnson (Winnipeg, Man). In the final series before the postseason for NCAA No. 4 Lubbock Christian, Johnson threw a complete game against St. Mary’s. He limited the opposition to three hits, an unearned run and two walks. He struck out three to finish the regular season 13-0 with an exceptional 1.94 ERA.

Gore picks up win No. 5

Madonna dropped Cornerstone 3-0 behind 6 2/3 scoreless innings from Daniel Gore (Tecumseh, Ont.). Gore gave up three hits, walked five and struck out two.

Gauthier gives Nyack eight innings

David Gauthier (Mont Sainte-Hilaire, Que.) came one inning short of a complete game in Nyack’s 8-2 win over University of Sciences. Gauthier scattered seven hits, allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out five.

Savoie steady in relief, chipped in offence

His team needed him and Edouard Savoie (St. Eustache, Que.) was there. Savoie tossed six scoreless, hitless innings of relief as Northeastern Oklahoma A&M outlasted Rose State 9-8 in Game 1 of their series. Savoie walked two and punched out six. Savoie contributed a hit in Games 1 and 2 and went 3-for-4 with a RBI in Game 3, which were all victories. The team completed the sweep with a 10-0 win

MacLeod beats Onondaga, Zinck pitches well too

Genesee Community College’s Jakob MacLeod (Toronto, Ont.) went five innings and gave up two runs (one earned) in a 7-2 win over Onondaga. Opposing hitters managed four hits, worked five walks and struck out five times against the Canadian. Zach Zinck (Bridgewater, NS) made a pair of appearances for Genesee with the first coming in a 17-9 win over Onondaga when he went 3 2/3 innings and gave up an unearned run on one hit and three walks. He struck out eight in the victory. Zinck then went five innings, allowed five hits, three runs (two earned) with two walks and eight punch outs in a 3-0 loss to Niagara County Community College.

Marks helps Spartans to abbreviated sweep

The week got off to a good start for the USC Upstate Spartans and a big part of the reason why was Jordan Marks (Bright’s Grove, Ont.). Marks spun seven innings, allowed nine hits and two runs in a 9-2 Game 1 win over Alabama State. He walked one and struck out six. After Game 2 was cancelled the Spartans took the next game to win the series 2-0.

Manby takes care of business

Keith Manby (White Rock, BC) improved his record to 9-0 last week. Manby went five innings, surrendered three hits and two unearned runs as Miles thumped Lake Region State 12-2. He walked one and struck out 12 in the win. The next game Miles plays will be in the Regional Tournament.

Niagara bounces back behind Brash, Smyth makes three appearances

The Niagara Purple Eagles were looking to get back on track after dropping Game 1 of their series with Fairfield. Matthew Brash (Kingston, Ont.) helped them do just that. Brash went seven innings, scattered nine hits and one run in a 4-0 win. He walked one and struck out seven. Niagara would go on to win Game 3 and the series. After tossing a scoreless inning of relief with a walk and a strikeout in a 6-5 win over Canisius, Kyle Smyth (Whitby, Ont.) worked two scoreless innings in a 9-5 loss to St. Bonaventure. Smyth allowed a hit, walked two and struck out one. His final appearance was in a 5-0 Game 3 win over Fairfield that helped the Purple Eagles to the series win. He picked up the win going three scoreless, hitless innings. He walked two and struck out four to improve to 2-0.

Rutgers throws a gem

Reilly Rutgers (Hamilton, Ont.) was dominant last week for Garrett College. Rutgers threw a complete game, seven inning shutout against CCBC Essex. He allowed just two hits, issued two free passes and struck out three in the 2-0 win.

Three Canadians played well for Colby

Two Canadian hitters and a pitcher stood out for the Colby Trojans. Matt Coutney (Edmonton, Alta.) and Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.) were steering the Trojan offence in a four-game set with Pratt. Coutney went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a 16-2 Game 1 win. In Game 2, a 10-5 win, he went 2-for-4 with a walk. Game 3 saw him go 2-for-4 in an 11-5 loss before completing his week going 3-for-4 with a walk and RBI in a 12-5 win. Zdunich was 3-for-3, finishing a home run shy of the cycle in the opener. He also drove in three. He went 2-for-3 with a RBI in Game 2 and collected a hit in Game 4. Nathan Stark (Medicine Hat, Alta.) threw six scoreless innings and gave up just one hit in the Game 4 win. Stark walked three and stuck out five.

Duncan, MacDonald have hot bats for Red Wolves

Tyler Duncan (Sooke, BC) and Kyle MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont.) were outstanding for the Arkansas State Red Wolves last week. Duncan had nine hits, walked twice and drove in 10 in four games. During Game 1 of their series with Appalachian State he went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and five RBIs. It was another four-hit game in Game 2 when he went 4-for-5 with a walk and four RBIs. MacDonald went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and six RBIs as the Red Wolves lost 11-9 to Memphis in a midweek clash. In the three-game set with Appalachian State he had five hits, three walks, and four RBIs. Arkansas State swept the series.

Turino with four hits

In just two games for Jefferson Matt Turino (Scarborough, Ont.) had four hits. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs in a 3-2 win over Metropolitan Community College. They dumped Metropolitan again 5-1 and Turino went 2-for-5 once more.

Seitz hits slam

Kye Seitz (Okotoks, Alta.) played in a pair of games last week for Bellevue Community College . He had a hit and a RBI in a 3-1 Game 2 loss to Skagit Valley. In a 19-14 Game 4 win he went 3-for-6, hitting a grand slam.

Sanford hits another home run

The power was on display again for Jake Sanford (Dartmouth, NS). He hit home run number 20 in a 9-5 Western Kentucky win over Rice in Game 2 of their three-game series. On the week he had six hits, including three, two-hit games against Rice. He walked once, drove in six, stole a base and was hit by a pitch. After a midweek loss to NCAA Division 1 No. 7 Louisville, the Hilltoppers swept Rice.

Krzeminski rakes for Reivers

Gibson Krzeminski (Tecumseh, Ont.) pounded out nine hits for the Iowa Western Reivers in seven games. He also walked four times, drove in six and stole a base as the Reivers finished the regular season 42-8.

Chenier beats VMI, faces Duke

Three scoreless innings from Evan Chenier (Georgetown, Ont.) helped the Virginia Commonwealth Rams to an 11-2 win over Virginia Military Institute. Chenier allowed three hits and struck out four to pick up the win, his sixth of the season. He was called upon again in a 5-3 win over Duke. During that game he worked two innings, surrendered three hits and one run. The freshman struck out two in the win.

Cratty with multi-hit games

Rhys Cratty (Langley, BC) went 2-for-3 for Galveston in Game 1 of their series with Alvin. After going 2-for-3 with two walks and a RBI in Game 2, Cratty went 2-for-3 again with a RBI in Game 3. Galveston dropped 3-of-4.

Midway bows out of Red River Conference Tournament

A 2-2 showing in the Red River Conference Tournament meant the end of the season for Graham Luttor (Toronto, Ont.) and Zac Lampreia (Toronto, Ont.) of Midway. Luttor opened the tournament going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs in a 7-3 win over National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics No. 24 Indiana University Southeast. Lampreia earned a walk in the win. They couldn't make it back-to-back wins as they'd dropped the next game to the University of Rio Grande 8-7 in 11 innings. In the loss Luttor walked and drove in a run, while Lampreia went 3-for-5. Midway got back in the win column the next game by downing Point Park 9-5. The result was helped by a 2-for-5 game with a RBI from Luttor and a 3-for-4 game with a walk from Lampreia. They would be eliminated the next game after dropping an 8-4 decision to Indiana University Kokomo. Luttor had a hit and a walk in the final game.

Morello readies for Mountain East Tournament

Gianfranco Morello (Toronto, Ont.) appears to be prepared for Mountain East Tournament play. To wrap of the regular season last week Charleston took on West Virginia State in a four-game series. In Game 1 Morello had a hit, a RBI, two stolen bases and was hit by a pitch in a 10-3 win. Charleston won Game 2 by a 7-4 score and Morello had a hit, a stolen base and was hit by another pitch. Game 3 ended in an 8-5 loss but Morello managed to go 2-for-3 with a walk. He chipped in a double as the finale went the way of Charleston 4-2.

Webb with strong finish

The Mountain East Conference Tournament is also on the horizon for Concord. Evan Webb (Whitby, Ont.) finished the regular season strong with eight hits, a walk and eight RBIs. He had three hits in the first two games of the week. In a Game 2 win over the University of Virginia-Wise he launched a solo home run.

Clarke, IU Kokomo finish as runner-up

Dalton Clarke (Newmarket, Ont.) went 9-for-21 for the University of Indiana Kokomo in the River States Conference Tournament. He hit a home run, walked and stole a base in an 8-4 win over Midway in Game 3. Unfortunately for Clarke and his team they lost in the championship to the University of Rio Grande.

Morro give offence to Golden Griffins

In four games last week for Canisius, Connor Morro (Cheltenham, Ont.) had seven hits and two RBIs. The two RBIs came via a two-run home run in a Game 3 loss to Monmouth.

O’Farrell pushes Panthers offence

Bryce O’Farrell (Burlington, Ont.) had a hit in Pittsburgh’s 11-0 win over Maryland Eastern Shore to start off his week. In the rematch, a 26-2 victory, he had a hit, a walk and a RBI. The NCAA Division I No. 25 Florida State Seminoles were the next test in a three-game series. Pittsburgh took Game 1 with a convincing 10-0 win. O’Farrell went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the big win. They dropped Game 2, 15-6, but O’Farrell did go 3-for-5 with two RBIs. He walked in the final game of the series, a 12-6 loss.

T-Birds outlast Benedictine-Mesa

Scoring wasn't an issue for the University of British Columbia in their match with Benedictine-Mesa as they scored a 15-12 win in 11 innings. When they needed to stop the offence the Thunderbirds handed the ball to James Bradwell (Gibsons, BC). Bradwell threw five innings, gave up four hits and one run. He struggled with control at times walking five but also struck out five.

Lamar leans on Quirion

Anthony Quirion (Dixville, Que.) had a strong game for Lamar to open a three-game series with Southeastern Louisiana. In the opener he went 4-for-6 with a RBI in a 4-3 loss. His team won the next game, 13-9 and Quirion went 2-for-4 with a RBI. Lamar dropped the rubber match 6-4.

Whitbread wins his sixth

The series was tied 1-1 when Tyler Whitbread (Camlachie, Ont.) took the mound for Indiana State against Illinois State. He went six innings and gave up just one hit and the one run in a 6-1 win, helping the Sycamores win the series. Whitbread walked one and struck out six. His record stands at 6-1, while his team improved to 34-11.

Lacasse lasts all seven

Marcel Lacasse (Gatineau, Que.) pitched a complete game, seven innings for Western Texas. In an 11-2 Game 1 win over Clarendon he scattered six hits, two runs and a pair of walks. He struck out double digits, whiffing eleven opposing hitters over the course of the game.

Four hits for Porcellato

During a four-game series with Edmonds, Matteo Porcellato (Port Coquitlam, BC) had four hits for the Douglas College Royals. He went 2-for-4 with a walk in the opener, a 12-4 loss. In Game 2, a 4-2 loss, he walked twice and stole a base. It was another two-hit Game in a 5-4 Game 3 loss. Douglas dropped Game 4, 9-2 and were swept.

Salem finishes third

Tyler D’Alessandro (London, Ont) walked and drove in a run in the final game of the regular season for Salem. The game ended in a 17-5 loss to Alderson Broaddus. Salem then played in the Independent Baseball Championships and finished third after going 2-3. D’Alessandro chipped in 10 hits, three walks, seven RBIs, five stolen bases and a hit by pitch. He went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, a stolen base and a hit by pitch in 20-6 win over Bluefield State. In a season ending loss to Virginia State he had a hit, walked twice and swiped three bases.

Schlosser gets on base for Beavers

The Minot State Beavers played four games last week and Wyatt Schlosser (Saskatoon, Sask.) belted nine hits, walked once, drove in eight and stole five bases. The best offensive showing for Schlosser came in a 12-10 win over Bemidji State when he went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and three stolen bases.

Koroneos displays power in CAC Tournament

The Capital Athletic Conference Tournament is underway and Zachary Koroneos is giving Penn State Harrisburg plenty of offensive support. In Game 1 against Southern Virginia, a 13-5 win, he went 2-for-4 and hit a three-run homer. They won again in Game 2, 5-0 over Salisbury when Koroneos hit a solo home run. Their first loss came at the hands of Salisbury in their next game by a 26-9 score. Koroneos smashed a two-run home run and finished 3-for-5 in the loss. He collected a hit against Salisbury in their next game, a 10-5 win to get back on track. The tournament continues this week.

Cina a steady presence in East Stroudsburg lineup

Zarley Cina (Kitchener, Ont.) hit a three-run home run to open his week in East Stroudsburg’s 4-2 win over Millersville. The rest of the way he had six more hits, two walks and six RBIs. He hit another home run, this time a two-run shot, in a 13-8 Game 1 win over Shippensburg. Cina finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

Bells answers the bell for Frank Phillips

When his name was called Dylan Bells (Regina, Sask.) was ready. He worked five innings on the mound in Frank Phillip’s 5-1 Game 2 loss to Midland. Bells allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), walked two and struck out nine.

Henry handles Lake Michigan

Jon Henry (Toronto, Ont.) was on his game in Muskegon’s Game 1 win over Lake Michigan. Henry went a complete game, seven innings, giving up three hits and two runs (one earned). He walked two and struck out five in the 9-2 win. His record improved to 5-1.

Hogg a hit in Dodge City split

A four-game series with Barton ended in a split for Dodge City as they took Games 2 and 4. Jackson Hogg (Surrey, BC) went 2-for-3 with a RBI in a Game 1 loss. He had a hit in Dodge City’s first win of the series in Game 2 and collected another hit, a RBI and a stolen base in Game 3. To finish the week and help secure a split Hogg had a hit in Game 4.

Hill heats up

After just a walk in his first game of the week for Central Washington and not playing in the second game, Jason Hill (Surrey, BC) got his bat going. He went 3-for-3 with three doubles and a RBI in a 7-3 Game 2 win over Northwest Nazarene. During a 21-4 Game 2 loss Hill went 3-for-4. The Wildcats dropped the finale 6-5 but Hill did go 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Osborne collects hits in 6-of-7

Mitch Osborne (Lindsay, Ont.) was enjoying the busy schedule that Western Nebraska played last week. Osborne went 3-for-3 with a solo home run in the opening game. He finished with 10 hits total, three walks and five RBIs in the 5-2 week.

Believin in Benson’s bat

The Red Hawk of Lake Michigan received five hits from Owen Benson (Toronto, Ont.) in their series with Muskegon. Benson had a hit in a 9-2 Game 2 loss. It was another hit off the bat of Benson in a Game 2 win. His team dropped Game 3 by a 9-7 score, a game Benson went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in. A hit and two walks from Benson in Game 4 led to a 6-5 win.

It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for many players and fans. Some teams will go home, some will move on, while some are still jockeying for postseason positioning. Read about the highlights right here next week in the BMOC.

If you know of someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com