By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Division I postseason pushes, awards and tournaments are the talk of college ball this time of the year. Canadians continue to collect honours and help their teams in the postseason. Canadians are shining at the biggest time of the year. Now lets talk a closer look at Canadians still participating in college baseball.

 

World Series bound
Off to the World Series:
Josh Williams (Toronto, Ont.) and his No. 3 ranked Dodge City Conquistadors are off to the NJCAA World Series. He was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer to help his team advance with a 7-1 win over Cowley County and they are now off to Grand Junction, Col. for their first World Series birth. Williams singled in the opener, a 5-2 win over No. 6 ranked Neosho. Next, Williams doubled, singled and drove in a run in a 7-5 victory over No. 7 Butler. Williams didn’t play in a 10-3 win against Fort Scott and then lost 4-3 to Cowley County. Earning Jayhawk West All Conference Honorable Mention honors, the 1B-DH hit .372 with nine homers and 33 RBIs in 43 games.

Off to the World Series II
CF Max Wood (Vancouver, BC) singled as the San Jacinto Gators (South Zone No. 1 seed) beat Angelina (East Zone No. 2 seed)  [Max Wood] 4-1 to win the Region XIV tournament at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Tex. The win punched the Gators ticket to a nation’s-best 23rd appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. Wood was 3-for-4, with a double and a stolen base for a 7-2 win over Panola Ponies (East Zone No. 4 seed) in the opener. Next, San Jacinto dropped a 2-0 loss to Angelina. Wood had a pair of hits as San Jac’s scored a 3-2 win to eliminate Alvin (South Zone No. 2 seed). Next, Wood had three hits and knocked in a run in an 8-7 victory over Northeast Texas. San Jac defeated Blinn (South Zone No. 4 seed) 12-4, in 11-innings as Wood singled and knocked in a run. San Jac scored eight runs in the top of the 11th. Now San Jac had to beat Angelina twice. Wood had a pair of hits and scored four runs as San Jac thumped Angelina 10-1 to move onto the final. Heading into the Avista World Series, Wood hit .348 with five doubles, two triples, six homers and 37 RBIs in 48 games, stealing 15 bases. He has a .973 OPS. INF Josh Croft (Powell River, BC) hit .393 with 16 doubles, two triples, four homers and 29 RBIs. He had a 1.054 OPS.

Tourney Play
Toffan tops
LF Jager Toffan (Regina, Sask.) singled and knocked in a run as the Blinn Buccaneers fell 12-4, in 11-innings to the San Jacinto Gators at the Region XIV tournament at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Tex. Toffan was hitless in the opener, an 11-5 win over Navarro. Blinn went to 2-0 as Toffan had two hits and drove in a run in a 5-3 win over Northeast Texas. Toffan singled in a 16-2 loss to Angelina. On the season, Toffan is hit .307 with 11 doubles, five homers and 29 RBIs in 43 games with a .949 OPS.

Four-digit OPS
CF Tristan Grahm (North Vancouver, BC) had three hits in an 8-7 Northeast Texas loss to the eventual winners, the San Jacinto Gators at the Region XIV tournament at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Tex. Northeast Texas lost the opener 5-3 to the Blinn Buccaneers. Grahm hit .382 with 12 doubles, two triples, 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 43 games, while racking up a 1.137 OPS.

Holgate, Tigers to host Regionals:
The University of West Alabama’s good season just got better. Not only did they win the Gulf South Conference championship and qualify for regionals, they found out Sunday that they will enter the South Regional tournament as the No. 1 seed. With that seed comes the advantage of hosting the tournament.Mitch Holgate (Windsor, Ont.) will look to build off his strong season that saw him named First Team Daktroniks All-South Region and NCBWA second-team all-region this week. The South Regional tournament consists of West Alabama, Nova Southeastern, Tampa, Lynn, Florida Tech and Albany State. UWA hosts Albany State on May 14th.

UBC season comes to an end:
It was a good run for Terry McKaig (Tsawwassen, BC) and his UBC Thunderbirds this season. Unfortunately, it came to a close a little sooner than a lot would have liked. They lost in the Opening round of the NAIA play this week at Santa Clarita, Calif.

It started out with a bang however, as the TBirds jumped all over Northwestern Ohio Racers in Game 1 scoring two in the third and two in the seventh to take the game 4-2. Alex Webb (Surrey, BC) was lights out on the mound for UBC. He would throw seven innings, surrendering just four hits, a run with a walk and two strikeouts. Curtis Taylor (Port Coquitlam, BC) would pick up the save tossing the final two innings giving up a hit, a run and striking out a batter.Jerod Bartnik (Surrey, BC) would fuel the offence in the opener, going 2-for-4 with a two run home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Game 2 would not be as kind to UBC as they would drop it 8-2 to Vanguard. Brad Smith (North Vancouver, BC), 1 2/3, a hit, no runs, a walk and a punch out, was strong in relief. Anthony Duen (Markham, Ont.) also pitched in with a shutout inning. Mackenzie Parlow (Qualicum Beach, BC) would go 2-for-4 on the offensive side of the ball.

UBC’s season would come to an end in Game 3, dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 game to Northwestern Ohio. The Thunderbirds would jump out to an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the second. Northwestern Ohio would respond with two of their own in the bottom half of the sixth and that would be all they would need. On the mound Connor Lillis-White (Toronto, Ont.) did his best to lead his team to victory, throwing eight innings, scattering five hits, allowing two runs with three walks and nine strikeouts. Tyler Enns (Winnipeg, Man.) would go 3-for-5 with an RBI.

In other UBC news, coach McKaig will take on a new role at UBC. Stepping down after 18 years at the helm of the Thunderbirds, McKaig will now assume the role of director of baseball.

UBC slayer
Brandon Collins (East York, Ont.) singled with the Northwestern Ohio Racers down 1-0 in the sixth. The Racers rallied for a 2-1 win over the UBC Thunderbirds in opening round of the NAIA play at Santa Clarita, Calif. Collins singled and scored the tying run to key a two-run rally. Collins doubled in the opener a 4-2 loss to UBC. After a 4-3 12-inning win over Cal State San Marcos, ollins singled in a 6-3 loss to The Master’s. He singled in an 8-0 loss to Vanguard as the Racers were eliminated.

Boyd big, but rally was bigger:
It was a painful end for the Apaches of Cochise College. Looking to make a trip to the NJCAA World Series, they carried an seven run lead into the ninth only to see Yavapai College rally for the win with eight runs in the top of the ninth. After losing to Yavapai in Game 1 of the best-of-three series, Cochise’s season would come to an end with an 12-11 Game 2 loss. Louis Boyd (Vancouver, BC) did his best to push his teams chances to a Game 3 going 4-for-6 with a run scored in the loss. On the year Boyd hit .316 with three home runs and 36 RBIs in 60 games.

Chaps ride on
3B Justin Clarkson (Nanaimo, BC) homered, doubled and knocked in three runs as the Midland Chaparrals blanked Cisco 10-0  [justin clarkson] in the opener of the Region V tourney at Texas Tech. 2B Chris Thibideau(Dartmouth, NS) knocked in a run. Next, the Chaps lost 11-7 to the Odessa Wranglers. Clarkson tripled in a run, while Thibideau singled. RPJesse Borden(Dartmouth, NS) pitched five innings allowing five runs on six hits and one walk, while fanning five. Clarkson had a pair of doubles in a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Howard Hawks. Midland was eliminated on a 5-2 loss to the New Mexico Thunderbirds as Thibideau singled. Thibideau batted .329 with 13 doubles, a triple, 13 homers and 52 RBIs in 58 games with a .988 OPS. Clarkson hit .332 with 15 doubles, five triples, six homers and 39 RBIs with a .971 OPS. Borden was 3-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 21 games making two starts as he walked 18 and struck out 43 in 50 innings.

Davenport 2-1:
So far in the opening round of the National NAIA opening round Zack Wilson(New Lowell, ON) and Zack Sardellitti’s (Maple, Ont.) Davenport Panthers are 2-1. In a game 1 10-5 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Wilson would have a hit and an RBI while Sardellitti would go 2-for-4 with a walk. They would then both get a hit in a Game 2, 3-1 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan. Sardellitti would also drive in a run in the game. In their only loss so far, 8-6 to Oklahoma Wesleyan, Wilson would go 2-for-4 with a run scored. Sardellitti would also collect a pair of hits going 2-for-5. Davenport now readies for a third game against Oklahoma Wesleyan.

Shake and Bake
TJ Baker (Acton, Ont.) would throw a scoreless inning for the Salt Lake Bruins against the College of Southern Nevada, recording a walk and a strikeout in Game 2 of the Region 18 Tournament. He would then throw another two scoreless innings against the College of Southern Nevada, also striking out one. Baker owns a 1-0 record with a 0.60 ERA. His Bruins now take on Yavapai in the District Playoffs.

Back, back, BACK!
Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, Ont.) hit a solo home run in Odessa College’s opener of regional play.
Spiwak hit .387 with 17 doubles, three triples, eight homers and 54 RBIs in 56 games. He had an 1.174 OPS.

By the Slimmest of margins
Grant Tamane’s (Pickering, Ont.) college season came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Embry-Riddle in the NAIA National Tournament opening round in Daytona Beach, Fla.. He would go 2-for-6 with an RBI in the opener. He finished his final season by hitting .385 with four home runs and 34 RBIs. He also took on former Met Joshua Egert (Burlington, Ont.) of Southeastern in the first game.

Two and Q
RP Tanner Spencer (Craik, Sask.) pitched an inning allowing two runs — one earned — on three walks in a 12-2 Colby Trojans loss to Cowley County. Cowley won the next game 13-3, as 2B Cole Schneider (Ft. Saskatchewan, Alta.) had a pair of hits.
Schneider batted .226 with three doubles and 10 RBIs in 40 games with .557 OPS. Spencer was 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA as he walked eight and fanned 15 in 26 innings. Eddie Chessell (Hespeler, Ont.) hit .303 with two doubles, a homer and nine RBIs with a .779 OPS. Reid Fritke (Swift Current Sask.) batted .258 with five doubles and seven RBIs. He had an .948 OPS.

Honors
Antchak all-region
The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Golden Horseman now have a NJCAA Region II All-Region First Team selection. If you follow the BMOC you should know exactly who I am referring to. Brad Antchak (Delta, BC) received the honours this week. Antchak and his teammates are set to enter the South Central District Tournament this week.

Dressler dubbed regional standout:
Brad Antchak wasn’t the only Canadian that named to an all-region team this past week. Steven Dressler (Burlington, Ont.) is a Region V all-team selection for 2015. Cisco was eliminated in two games in the Region V tournament.

Germaine one of GAC’s best:
Billy Germaine (Aldergrove, BC) was named a First Team All-GAC selection this past week. On the year he hit .327 with eleven  [Germaine_Billy] home runs (team lead) and 62 RBI’s. He did all this while handling the Southern Arkansas pitching staff behind the plate. Germaine and his Muleriders prepare for Emporia State University in their first regional game in St. Cloud, Minn.

A .400 hitter with smarts
Jordan Giller (Toronto, Ont.) was named Academic All-District this past week for his Oswego State Lakers. He maintained a 3.5 GPA while hitting .401 with two home runs and 38 RBIs. Oswego State was awarded an at-large bid to the Division III National Championship. He went 2-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI in a 7-5 loss to Amherst College in the first game. He would record a walk against No. 8 Oberlin College in a 7-2 defeat.

Regular seaon
Kellogg brilliant in ASU win, makes history:
Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.) was back at it on the mound for Arizona State University over the weekend. In the opener against Washington State, he would throw a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts. This was coming off a start that saw him carry his Sun Devil teammates into the 8th inning with a 4-0 lead over UCLA. He would end that start by going nine innings, giving upright hits, four runs, with a walk and seven strikeouts. Back to the win over WSU, Kellogg became the 12th Sun Devil hurler and just fourth lefty to win 27 or more games.

Handley helps Seawolves sweep UMass Lowell:
It is hard to ignore the season Toby Handley (Whitby, Ont.) is having for the Stony Brook Seawolves and he continue his strong play in a weekend sweep of UMass Lowell. In Game 1 Handley would go a cool 3-for-5 with an RBI in a 5-3 win. He would collect a hit, a run and an RBI in his teams Game 2 win before doing the same in the finale. Handley is currently hitting .333 with 29 RBIs through 43 games.

V as in Victory
RHP Connor Noble (Vancouver, BC) pitched the Central Arizona Vaqueros in an 11-7 win against Eastern Arizona. Noble pitched eight innings allowing three runs — two earned — on five hits and a walk, while striking out five. Noble moved to 5-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He walked 14 and fanned 36 in 59 2/3 innings. RP Christian Botnick (Brampton, Ont.) gained a 9-6 win over Cochise pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing one run on two walks. He was 2-0 with six saves and a 1.30 ERA, walking 11 and striking out 26 in 27 2/3 innings.

LeBlanc battles Yellowjackets:
Game 2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers series with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets would see Charles LeBlanc (Laval, Que.) go 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in the 8-6 Pitt win. In Game 3 he would record a hit, a walk and score a pair of runs while batting second and playing shortstop. He would round it out with a hit, a walk and a run scored in a midweek game at West Virginia.

Black Bears blast Binghamton:
It would be a clean sweep for the Maine Black Bear over the weekend. They would take all three games against the Binghamton Bearcats, 7-1, 3-2 and 9-0. Leading the offence was left handed hitter Brian Doran (Ayr, Ont.) In Game 1 he would go 2-for-4. He would then collect a hit in Game 2 and a hit, run and RBI in the finale. He would finish his week with a hit against Boston College in a 12-0 loss.

Panas leads Griffs to postseason:
Despite dropping their series with Siena Heights 2-1, the win clinched a spot in the MAAC Tournament for the Canisius Golden Griffins. Connor Panas(Toronto, Ont.) was named MAAC Player of the Week for his efforts in a weekend series over Marist. He was also honour as a member of The College Sports Information Directors of America Capital One Academic All-District team. He was selected in District 1. He currently leads the MAAC in hitting with a .370 average.

Sloan slays Siena:
Zack Sloan (Brampton, Ont.) was solid in relief for the Griffs as he would toss three innings, allowing two hits, three walks while [zach sloan]  striking out two in game 2 against Sienna Heights. It was the game that sealed Canisius’ postseason spot. He would then throw two more shutout innings in a midweek with Akron.

Remillard has remedy for Griffins:
Iannick Remillard(Valleyfield, Que.) would throw 2 1/3 shutout innings to close out the Griffs game 2 win over Siena Heights. He would strikeout three in his appearance. He would also come back against Akron with a shutout inning, allowing just one hit while striking out two.

Stevenson solid despite rain:
Fighting a rain delay J.P. Stevenson (New Glasgow, PEI) would only go two innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts in his start against Siena Heights.

Bauml backs Norse:
It started with a 2-for-4 performance against Florida Gulf Coast for Cole Bauml(Muenster, Sask.) That was followed by a hit and a run in Game 2. After going hitless, a rare occurrence for him, he would bounce back with a pair of walks against Kentucky in a midweek. He is leading the team in hitting with a .355 average with eight home runs and 22 RBIs.

Pop goes Pitcher
Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) would throw 1 2/3 of scoreless ball with a walk and two strikeouts in Kentucky’s Game 2 loss to Georgia. He would then throw three innings, allowing three hits, a run, a walk and record a strikeout in a midweek appearance against Northern Kentucky.

Terrier round up:
Matthew Beaton (Guelph, Ont.) tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Eastern Michigan’s finale with the Ohio Bobcats. He would then throw three innings, allowing four hits, two runs with three walks and three strikeouts in a midweek win over Oakland University.

 

Lucas Scocchia (Thunder Bay, Ont.) would throw 2 2/3 innings for Oakland, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out three in a midweek game with Eastern Michigan.

 

David Head (Claremont, Ont.) would collect a hit in the opener of Northern Kentucky’s series with Florida Gulf Coast. He would then go 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI in Game 2 and 1-for-4 in Game 3. He would also collect a hit in a midweek game with Kentucky.

 

Ontario Blue Jays round up:
Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.) scored a run in Game 1, walked twice and scored another run in Game 2 and went 2-for-3 with two more runs scored in Game 3 of Virginia’s 2-1 series win over Duke. He would finish off his week with a 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and two RBIs against Richmond in a midweek.

 

BMOCs
Week 12 _ Bowie, Webb, Wilson, Wood

Week 11 _ Berube, Black, Grahm, Romanin

 

Week 10 _ Bouchey, Holgate, Kirwer, Romanin

Week 9 _ Berube, Dennis, Goodall, Robinson

Week 8 _ Bridgen, Filipeck, Mountford, Reichstein

Week 7 _  Wilson, Marks, Dressler, Fagnan

Week 6 — Siddall, Filipek, Kellogg, Degano

 

Week 5 — Degano, Berube, Quantrill, Stewart

Week 4 —  Bauml, Shaw, Panas, Lillis-White.

Week 3 — Black, Dressler, Romanin, Foster 

Week 2 — Robson, Doran, Germaine, Martin, Quantrill

Week 1 — Kellogg, Baksh, Gapp, Sardellitti, Harkness

 

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