February 26, 2024

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

We go back to British Columbia for this week’s top Canadian college player.

Infielder Johnny Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) erupted offensively for the Ottawa University Braves.

In an early Monday midweek game, Vulcano hit a solo home run, a three-run home run and finished 4-for-5 in a 14-4 win over Kansas Wesleyan.

Not back in action until Friday, the three-day layoff didn’t seem to cool Vulcano off. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a grand slam as the Braves downed Southwestern College 12-4 in Game 1 of their three-game series.

After a hit and an RBI in a 12-1 Game 2 victory, Vulcano hit another solo shot and a two-run home run in a 7-5 Game 3 win. The two-run homer came in the top of the eighth inning to put his team out in front for good. He was also hit by a pitch in the finale, which was probably a better idea than pitching to him.

Six home runs in four games earns Johnny Vulcano the Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week for Feb. 19 to 25.

Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week

Week 1: INF Simon Grinberg (Kitchener, Ont.) - Keiser University

Week 2: OF Francesco Barbieri (Brampton, Ont.) - Ave Maria University

Week 3: INF Trent Lenihan (White Rock, BC) - University of British Columbia

Week 4: INF Kalem Haney (Lethbridge, Alta.) - University of Mary

Week 5: INF Johnny Vulcano (Cloverdale, BC) - Ottawa University