BMOC Week XI: Brettell, Chester, Dressler, Gauthier, Wiebe
Toronto Mets grad Gianfranco Morello (Toronto, Ont.) of the University of Charleston gained Mountain East Player of the Week honours.
Big Men On Campus Week XI
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
Familiar faces and new names litter this week’s addition of the BMOC. As the major league season began last week the college season rolled on. The best of the best are summarized below.
Morello named Player of the Week
It was a good week for Gianfranco Morello (Toronto, Ont.) of the University of Charleston and it didn’t go unnoticed. In a 10-6 win over Fairmont State Morello went 3-for-4, launching a solo home run and a grand slam. Charleston took down Fairmont State again in their next game and Morello contributed a triple, a RBI and a stolen base. The Golden Eagles were downed by West Liberty University 11-4 in their third game. Morello had three hits including a double and a triple in the loss. He also drove in two runs and stole a base. The Golden Eagles got their revenge in the next game by beating West Liberty 11-1. Morello hit a double, walked, was hit by a pitch and stole two bases as his team closed the week at 3-1. For his efforts he was named Mountain East Player of the Week.
UBC sweeps five-game set
Five-game series aren’t the norm but the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds were ready to take full advantage of the busy slate. The T-Birds swept five games from the College of Idaho and have won 10 of their last 11. Niall Windeler (Toronto, Ont.) got UBC off on the right foot by tossing eight innings, scattering seven hits and one run in a 3-1 Game 1 victory. Windeler walked one, struck out six and improved his record to 3-1.
Lefty Brad Smith (Vancouver, BC) made it two solid starts in a row in Game 2. He worked seven innings and surrendered three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walks five and strikeout five but was handed the no decision as UBC scored two in the bottom of the ninth to walkout the Coyotes.
Former North Shore Twins' James Bradwell (Gibsons, BC) gained the win for the UBC Thunderbirds.
After taking Game 3, 5-4, James Bradwell (Gibsons, BC) picked up the win in Game 4. He pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven in the 6-0 decision.
Breaden Allemann (Surrey, BC) picked up his first save of the year in the Game 3 win. He threw two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, two walks, while striking out two. He picked up the win in Game 5 going 4 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings and struck out eight in the 4-3 win.
On the offensive side Mitch Robinson (Surrey, BC) paced UBC and was an NAIA nominee for national player of the week. In Game 1 he had a hit and a walk. Game 2 saw him get a knock, walk twice and drove in a run. He stroked a double and walked again in Game 3 and went 3-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a stolen base. In the finale he hit a two-run home run in the fifth, which ended up being the difference in the 4-3 victory. Nolan Weger (Surrey, BC) had six hits in the series, including going 4-for-4 with a stolen base in Game 3.
Cottam sets career high
Kole Cottam (Knoxville, Tenn.) hit his 11th and 12th home runs of the season for the Kentucky Wildcats last week. His 11th set a new career high and his 12 currently leads the team. In The Wildcats first game against Miami University Cottam hit a double and was hit by a pitch. In Game 1 of their series with Alabama, a 4-2 loss, he went 2-for-4 with a solo shot. Game 2 also went the way of the Crimson Tide by another 4-2 score despite Cottam going 3-for-4 with double and RBI. Kentucky picked up a win in Game 3 of the series by a 5-2 score. Cottam again went 3-for-4 with a walk and a home run. Kentucky is currently 19-9 overall but just 3-6 in Southeastern Conference play.
Ex-Langley Blaze Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (Oakville, Ont.) of the Central Arizona Vaqueros continues to roll on this seaason.
Trogrlic-Iverson finished what he started
It has been a spectacular season thus far for Central Arizona’s Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (Oakville, Ont.). He continued his torrid campaign with a complete game, seven inning win over Paradise Valley Community College. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits and three walks. He punched out eight in the 3-2 victory. He currently owns a sparkling 1.86 ERA and is ranked No. 3 on the Canadian Baseball Network Draft List.
Quirion with quite a week
Anthony Quirion (Dixville, Que.) pounded out nine hits on the week for Clarendon College. In Game 1 of the series versus El Paso he went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs in a 21-1 beating. In Game 2, a 13-4 win, he showed off his speed. He went 2-for-4 with a triple, a walk, a RBI and two stolen bases in the win. After a hit, a walk and a RBI in a Game 3 win he closed his week with a 3-for-4 game with a home run and three RBIs.
Dimitroff has six hits in three games
Bryce Dimitroff (Hamilton, Ont.) just continues to hit. He had two hits and a walk in East Central University’s 12-11 Game 1 loss to Arkansas Tech. The Tigers dropped Game 2 by a 15-5 score in which Dimitroff chipped in a hit and a RBI. In the final game of the series, a 14-6 loss, he went 3-for-4 with a double.
Machibroda drives in five
Nolan Machibroda (Saskatoon, Sask.) went 6-for-14 for Chattanooga State Community College in 5-1 week. He drove in five runs for the Tigers.
Ex-Abbotsford Cardinal Graham Wiebe (Abbotsford, BC) of the Tabor Bluejays.
Hooge, Wiebe continue to power Tabor
Both Jaxson Hooge (Calgary, Alta.) and Graham Wiebe (Abbotsford, BC) continued their strong seasons for the Tabor Bluejays. The Bluejays took on Ottawa University in a three-game set and both Canadians were right in the thick of things. In Game 1 Hooge went 2-for-5, while Wiebe went 2-for-3 in the 11-5 loss. Tabor took Game 2 by a 14-5 score. Hog crushed a home run on the way to three hits and three RBIs and Wiebe had two hits, and two RBIs. In the rubber match of the series Hooge had two hits and three RBIs. Wiebe rounded things out with a hit in a 10-4 Tabor triumph. They helped head coach Mark Stanford to his 400th career coaching victory in the series versus Ottawa. Hooge and Wiebe are neck-in-neck in batting average, Hooge is hitting .361 an Wiebe currently sits at .362.
Lloyd leads No. 11 Indiana
The damage was done with the bat this time for dual threat Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.) of the No. 11 University of Indiana Hoosiers. In a 5-3 win over in-state rival Indiana State Lloyd had a hit and a RBI. The Hoosiers then swept a three-game series from Butler. Lloyd had two hits, a walk, a RBI and a stolen base in the opener. In Game 2 he had three hits and two more RBIs. To help the Hoosiers complete the sweep he had two hits, a RBI and a stolen base in Game 3. The Hoosiers are 20-5 on the year and Lloyd earns a .305 average. He is also 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and two saves in six innings spanning four appearances.
Orchard provides the offence for FIT
Zac Orchard (Cambridge, Ont.) had seven hits in four games but the Florida Tech Panthers went 0-4. In a midweek game with No. 13 Flagler Orchard went 3-for-4 with a walk, a RBI and a stolen base. Next up was a three-game set with Georgia College. Orchard had a hit and a walk in the opener and followed it with a 2-for-4 game with a stolen base in Game 2. His week concluded with a base hit in Game 3.
Lacasse has eight hits, eight RBIs
Western Texas’ Marcel Lacasse (Gatineau, Que.) helped stir the offence with eight hits and just as many RBIs in their series with Odessa. He had a solo shot in a Game 3 loss and four RBIs in Game 4. Odessa swept away Western Texas in the four-game series.
Gus a gamer for Gavelston
Gus Wilson (Duncan, BC) enters the BMOC thanks to a strong series for Galveston College against Baton Rouge. In Game 1 he had two hits and two RBIs Galveston took the game by a 9-8 score. Wilson legged out a double and a triple and drove in 3 in a 10-0 Game 2 victory. Galveston dropped their only game of the series in Game 3 by a 12-8 score. Wilson did his best to keep his team in it with a 3-for-4 game with a RBI. Western Texas took the finale and the series with a 4-3 win in Game 4.
Former Windsor Selects' Aidan Massad (Leamington, Ont.) had a tough loss for the Alderson Broaddus Battlers.
Tough loss for Masad
He allowed just a single unearned run but Aidan Massad (Leamington, Ont.) and Alderson Broaddus were still handed the loss in a 1-0 defeat against Malone. Mossad allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out five but it was the unearned run in the top of the third inning that hampered the Battlers.
Douglas pitchers deliver
Derrick Pecht (Burnaby, BC) made two appearances in the Douglas College Royals series with Bellevue. In Game 1 he pitched three innings, giving up a hit and a run. He walked three in the 8-2 loss. He took the loss in Game 4 despite throwing two innings and giving up an unearned run. He walked two as the Royals dropped the game 5-4.
Barry Caine (Surrey, BC) helped pitch the Royals to a victory in Game 2 of the series. He tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and three walks with nine strikeouts in the 3-0 win.
Curtis continues strong play
Columbus State’s Elliott Curtis (Waterloo, Ont.) is on fire this year. The former Ontario Terrier is hitting .411 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs. In the Chargers first game of the week against Calhoun he had a hit, a walk, two RBIs and a stolen base. They then swept a three-game set from Motlow State. Curtis went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBIs and a stolen base in Game 1. Game 2 saw him record a hit, a walk, two more RBIs and a stolen base. He helped his team complete the sweep with a hit, two walks and two stolen bases.
Former Ontario Blue Jay Trevaun Smith (Brampton, Ont.) of the Minot State Beavers had a seven-hit week.
Smith shows off power, patience and speed
Trevaun Smith (Brampton, Ont.) did a little of this and a little of that for the Minot State Beavers. He had seven hits, one of which was a long ball in the Beavers six games last week. He also walked five times, drove in two and stole six bases. He had a four steal game in a 5-3 win over Wayne State College.
Chester defeats Colorado Northwestern
Salt Lake Community College gave Fynn Chester (Victoria, BC) five runs of offensive support but all he needed was two. Chester threw a complete game seven innings and have up just one run on four hits. He walked one and struck out six in the 5-1 win.
Dressler beats Hilltoppers
Steven Dressler (Burlington, Ont.) worked 6 1/3 innings for Texas-San Antonio, giving up four hits and three runs (two earned) against Western Kentucky. He allowed three walks and struck out seven Hilltoppers. He is now 4-1 on the campaign.
Erwin’s relief not enough
Niagara Purple Eagles’ Ben Erwin (Spruce Grove, Alta.) came toss 6 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in a 6-5 loss to Fairfield. The Purple Eagles starter was knocked out after just 2/3 of an inning and five unearned runs. Erwin allowed three hits and struck out two. Despite the loss the Purple Eagles still opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a 2-1 record.
Former Great Lake Canadian Jordan Marks (Bright’s Grove, Ont.) gave up one earned) in six innings
Freshman turns in fine effort
Jordan Marks (Bright’s Grove, Ont.) gave up three runs (one earned) on seven hits in six innings pitched for USC Upstate. He struck out two in the 5-2 loss to Kennesaw State. The Spartans have a busy week with games against the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Gardner Webb and three against North Florida.
Trinidad State goes 4-0
It was a 4-0 week for Trinidad State Community College and they were helped by a pair of Canadians. Alex Bedard (Levis, Que.) had six hits, including a 3-for-4 performance in Game 1 of their series with McCook.
David Gauthier (Mont-Sainte-Hilaire, Que.) earned the win in a 3-2 victory over Lamar. Gauthier threw all nine innings, scattering 10 hits, two runs and two walks. He struck out seven opposing hitters.
Moore mashes for Freed-Hardeman
Darcy Moore (Sharon, Ont.) got his week started with a home run and a walk in Freed-Hardeman 7-3 win over Blue Mountain State. The Lions played four more games and Moore had six more hits, two more walks and drove in two more runs.
Ontario Blue Jays grad Daniel Nikitovic (Mississauga, Ont.) hit three homers for the Southeastern Blackhawks.
Nikitovic goes deep three times
After going hitless in a Game 1 loss to Southeastern Community College, North Area Iowa’s Daniel Nikitovic (Mississauga, Ont.) went on to a 10 hit week. He went 3-for-4 with a home run in his teams 8-5, Game 4 win over Southeastern. In a 14-3 win over Northeastern Community College he went 2-for-3 with a walk, two home runs and four RBIs.
Roy has strong showing
Ashton Roy (Sudbury, Ont.) went 6-for-14 with a 1.000 OPS for Pratt Community College. Roy is hitting .330 in 2018.
Rajsigl wins
Lackawanna College used six scoreless innings of relief from Jake Rajsigl (Windsor, Ont.) to help down Orange County Community College 9-6. Rajsigl gave up one hit and two walks with three strikeouts in the victory.
Sabrowski superb
Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) punched out 12 over seven innings to pick up his fifth win of the season for Cloud County. He surrendered two runs on three hits with three walks in the 3-2 win over Colby.
Vauxhall Academy Jets Bryce Fraser (Lethbridge, Alta.) worked six innings for the Colby. Mules.
Fraser goes six strong
It was an all-Canadian starting pitching matchup in Game 1 of the series between Colby and Cloud County. Bryce Fraser (Lethbridge, Alta.) opposed Sabrowski and went six innings, allowing six hits, three runs (one earned) and a walk. He struck out six T-Birds batters.
Farid with two, three-hit games
George Farid (Mississauga, Ont.) had seven hits total, including a 3-for-4 performance in the first and last games of the week for East Central Community College. He also walked once and drove in four runs.
Marriott leads off for Mitchell
Eric Marriott (Niagara Falls, Ont.) seemed right at home atop the Mitchell College lineup. Marriott went 2-for-5 with a RBI in a 12-4 win over Albertus Magnus. In a rematch he went 2-for-4 with a RBI in a 10-4 win. Mitchell’s next opponent was Newbury who they took on in a three-game set. In Game 1, a 16-1 win, Marriott had a hit, a walk and crossed the plate four times. He went 2-for-3 with a walk in a 9-0 Game 2 triumph. In the finale he went 3-for-5 to help his team complete the sweep.
Braun, Central Washington drop 3-of-4
It wasn’t a great week in the win column for Central Washington but Dustin Braun (Landmark, Man.) was in fine form in the box. He had eight hits and two RBIs in the four-game set. His best game came in a 14-13 Game 1 win when he went 4-for-6 with his two RBIs.
Former Toronto Met David Schlosser (Thornhill, Ont.) had a week to remember for the Bard Raptors.
Schlosser gets on
David Schlosser (Thornhill, Ont.) reached base nine times on seven hits, a walk and a hit by pitch for Bard College. He swiped a pair of bases in their series with Skidmore College, which they dropped three games to one.
Smibert a force for Mount Olive
The University of Mount Olive improved to 25-8-1 thanks to a 4-0 week. James Smibert (Mississauga, Ont.) went 3-for-5 with four RBIs in a 14-0 drubbing of Virginia State. The Erskine Flying Fleet were the next opponent and Smibert had a hit in a 3-2 Game 1 win. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in Game 2 and recorded a hit and a RBI in the final game of the series. Mount Olive is an impressive 13-2 in conference play.
Williams reaches double digit home runs
Malik Williams (Toronto, Ont.) hit four home runs in Johnson County Community College’s four games last week. Two of the home runs came in the same game. He finished the slate with nine hits. The four home runs push his season total to 10.
Sookdeo drives in six
It was a productive four games for McCook’s Mike Sookdeo (Brampton, Ont.) In a 6-4 win over Western Nebraska Community College he went 3-for-4 two doubles and four RBIs. The opener of their series with Trinidad State saw him chip in a hit and a stolen base. In Game 2 he again went 3-for-4, this time with a double and a RBI. He finished things off with a 2-for-5 game with a RBI in the final game of the series. McCook dropped all three games to Trinidad State.
Tecumsuh Thunder grad Myles Miller (Windsor, Ont.) has Northwestern Ohio off to the races.
Miller manages nine hits
Myles Miller (Windsor, Ont.) was an important piece to the Northwestern Ohio Racer offence. Miller had nine hits, five walks, two stolen bases and drove in two runs during a 3-1 week that featured a three-game sweep of Lourdes University.
Howie hammers opponent pitching
The Colonels of Eastern Kentucky swept three games from the University of Tennessee Martin to finish the week with a 3-1 record. In their only loss, 13-9 to Western Kentucky, Nick Howie (Oakville, Ont.) had two hits and two RBIs. He had a hit and a RBI in Game 1 of the series against UT Martin. His best Game of the week came in Game 2 when he went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run, five RBIs and a stolen base. Howie hit another home run, this time a solo shot, in a Game 3 win. When the game finished he had two hits, two walks and three RBIs.
Grandmont great for Southern Idaho
Shawn Grandmont (Lethbridge, Alta) was a key offensive cog for No. 14 Southern Idaho Community College as they went 6-0 and improved to 29-5 on the season. Grandmont battled his way to six hits, two walks, a hit by pitch and seven RBIs. Two of his six hits were home runs, a pair of two-run shots.
Brettell evens up record
Game 2 of the series between Central Michigan and Ball State was ugly, ending in a 23-1 Chippewas win. Michael Brettell (Fonthill, Ont.) didn’t need all that offence but stayed focused to throw seven innings to pick up the win. He gave up a run on three hits with seven strikeouts. The Chippewas won the series 2-1.
Ducs de Longueuil's Mathieu Gauthier (Candiac, Que.) worked five innings for North Carolina State.
Gauthier throws five innings
Mathieu Gauthier (Candiac, Que.) was summoned from the bullpen for North Carolina State in Game 1 of their series with Virginia Tech. He delivered five innings, giving up four hits and a run. He walked two and struck out two in the 10-2 loss. Gauthier’s ERA stands at 4.01 and he has one save on the year.
Snow allows two hits
Indian Hills shutout Southeastern Community College and Justin Snow (Mount Hope, Ont.) gave up just two hits over eight innings for the victors. He struck out nine in the dazzling performance.
Wark wins, Billikens take series
Jackson Wark (St. Albert, Alta.) was locked in for the St. Louis Billikens in Game 2 of their series with Virginia Commonwealth University. Wark gave up one run over seven innings in the 7-1 win. He scattered four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Virginia Commonwealth coach Mike McCrae (Niagara Falls, Ont.) had a front row seat from the opposing dugout as his team dropped the game and eventually the series. Wark currently holds a 3.62 ERA on the season.
Donnell takes a tough loss
With a series win against Bacone College on the line Mid America Christian gave the ball to Ben Donnell (Oakville, Ont.) and he went the distance. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on seven hits. The 5’11 lefthander walked two and struck out eight but a run in the top of the seventh gave Bacone the win. His record dropped to 4-2 on the year.
Canadians are having an impact each week on the college season. From coast-to-coast you can find accomplishments from players who call this country home. The highlights are recapped each week right here in the BMOC.
If you know someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com and make sure to note our week runs Monday-Sunday.