University of Toronto wins OUA title, OUA unveils award winners

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues won the OUA baseball title in 2021. Photo: OUA Athletics

October 17, 2021

Official OUA Athletics News Release

Ajax, Ont. – The host University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeated the McMaster Marauders 6-2 to claim the Jason Guidon Trophy as 2021 OUA champions on October 17 at Ajax Sportsplex.

The Blues, who also defeated the Western Mustangs 8-4 in the semifinals, completed a perfect 16-0 season to claim their sixth OUA title in program history and first since 2017.

“We have a great group of guys who love the game, believe in themselves and work hard,” said Varsity Blues head coach Mike Didier. “They truly care about each other. We knew it was a special group from the beginning of the season. They are a young group and I am very proud of everything they have done considering the majority of our team are in their first and second year. It was an awesome season. We had a bit of adversity, battled back and believed we could do something special.”

Gold-Medal Game: Toronto 6, McMaster 2

The Blues started the game with a three-run barrage, chasing McMaster starting pitcher Luis Grisanti out of the game. A bases-loaded walk to Brendan Colley allowed Niko Kekatos to score the Blues’ third run.

McMaster answered with two in the fourth off of a throwing error from Blues catcher Kristyan Puyol-Genossar, but Toronto added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with an Owen Taylor RBI-single.

Rookie Kevin Angers had seven strikeouts in six innings pitched for the win.

Semifinal 1: McMaster 6, Carleton 5

McMaster got out to an early lead as second-year first baseman Ethan Seymour doubled two Marauders home, before finding the plate himself off of a Carleton error. The Marauders added two more in the top of the fifth, before Carleton answered back with a Quentin McRae two-RBI double in the bottom of the inning.

The Ravens brought the game within one, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth; however, the Marauders held them off to secure the victory.

First-year pitcher Joshua Kalmin earned the save for the Marauders, throwing a flawless final inning, while McMaster starting pitcher Julian Tymochko had four strikeouts in the victory.

Semifinal 2: Toronto 8, Western 4

Toronto came out firing as they hit four straight singles to take an early 5-0 lead. Western responded though, scoring four runs in the bottom half of the first to cut the lead to one. A wild pitch from Western and a sacrifice fly from Brendan Colley pushed the Blues to a three-run advantage after two innings and U of T would add a single score in the top of the fourth to round out the scoring.

Fourth-year veteran Dean Christidis pitched a solid 6 2/3 innings in relief, striking out 11 to earn the victory.

Brendan Colley led the Blues offensively with two hits and two RBI, while Alexander Fader, Bryce O’Farrell and Ethan Tichenoff each had two hits for the Mustangs.

Award Winners

Most Valuable Player - Nik Motruk, McMaster

Most Valuable Pitcher - Dean Christidis, Toronto

Most Valuable Hitter - Niko Kekatos, Toronto

Rookie of the Year - Josh Kalmin, McMaster

Coach of the Year - Michael Didier, Toronto

All-Stars

Catcher - Kristyan Puyol-Genossar, Toronto

First Base - Ethan Seymour, McMaster

Second Base - Michael Dodaro, Western

Shortstop - Anthony Polowick, McMaster

Third Base - Brendan Colley, Toronto

Outfield - Michael Deluca, Toronto

Outfield - Michael Ong, Toronto

Outfield - Nik Motruk, McMaster

Designated Hitter - Ethan Tichenoff, Western

Starting Pitcher - Dean Christidis, Toronto

Relief Pitcher - Grant Shantz, Toronto