BMOCs: Degano, Dionne, Hawkins, Rogers
* RHP Alex Rogers (Nanaimo, BC) pitched a nine-inning, complete game as the Trinidad State Trojans eliminated the Salt Lake City Bruins 7-3 in the Region 18 Tournament. For Rogers it was his seventh win of the season. ....
BMOC 13
By Matt Betts
The NCAA Division 1 regular season has come to a close and has started the postseason play. NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA are heading into World Series action and plenty of Canadians are playing a role. This weeks addition of the BMOC features everything from thrilling wins, heartbreaking losses to awards and honours. Now lets take a look at how Canadians are doing down the stretch.
Tourney Play
Goodall more than good for Eagles:
Liam Goodall (Nanaimo, BC) has led his Embry-Riddle University Eagles to Avista-NAIA World Series. The Eagles are coming into the championship winners of six straight, including a pair of wins over fellow World Series opponent St. Thomas University. Over the past week Goodall walked and scored a run in his teams 3-0 win over Bryan. He then went 3-for-6 with a pair of runs scored against fellow Canadian Grant Tamane and the Rio Grande Red Storm. He would go 1-for-4 the next day against Rio Grande and have a matchup with Tabor in the World Series.
Davenport taking act to Lewiston:
The Davenport University Panthers will take their 51-10 record and put it on the line on the biggest stage. Davenport punched their ticket to Lewiston with a win over Oklahoma Wesleyan. In the final game Zack Sardellitti (Maple, Ont.) went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs. Zac Wilson (New Lowell, Ont.) also went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored in the 11-4 DU win. Jonathan Palumbo (Georgetown, Ont.) and Krystien Johnson-Batillana (Hamilton, Ont.) are also members of the Panthers. Davenport now readies for the host Lewis-Clark State in the opener.
Kolk leads Lewis-Clark State home:
The Lewis-Clark State Warriors is set to host the Avista-NAIA World Series. Darren Kolk (Duncan, BC) helped patrol the outfield in Lewiston, Id. this season, getting into 30 games (20 starts) He hit .300 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. Kolk also swiped four bases for the Warriors. Lewis-Clark State College will take on Davenport University in Game 1 of the World Series in Lewiston. They are looking for their 17th national championship.
T-Birds lose in final
RHP Jean-Francois Dionne (Trois-Rivers Que.) pitched New Mexico Thunderbirds to a 6-2 win over the Weatherford Coyotes in Region V Tournament at Lubbock, Tex. Dionne allowed two runs -- one earned -- on 11 hits and one walk, while fanning four. C J.P. Rousseau (Blainville, Que.) had two hits in the win. After a 5-3 loss to McLennan, Rousseau singled in a 24-14 win over Grayson County. LHP Fernando Fernandez-Beltran (Montreal, Que.) started for the Thunderbirds but was not involved in the decision allowing six runs -- three earned -- on four hits and one walk in 2/3 of an inning. Rousseau also singled in a 5-2 win over the Midland Chaparrals. McLennan scored eight times in the first and then held on for a 10-9 win. Fernandez-Beltran may not have had it in his start, but he worked five scoreless in relief in this one, allowing three hits and three walks, as he fanned four.
On the season ... Dionne was 7-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 14 starts walking seven and striking out 59 in 78 2/3 innings. Fernandez-Beltran was 3-4 in 14 games making 13 starts. He walked 26 and struck out 55 in 60 innings. Rousseau hit hit .420 with seven doubles and 14 RBIs in 37 games and a 1.014 OPS.
Quick Exit for Bruins
RF Chris Fougner (Victoria, BC) had a pair of hits and knocked in a run as the Salt Lake City Bruins lost 12-8 to Yavapai Roughriders in the opening round of the Region 18 Tournament. RP TJ Baker (Acton, Ont.) pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing one run on one hit and one walk, while striking out a pair. Fougner doubled and knocked in a run in a 7-3 loss to Trinidad State Trojans.
On the season ... Fougner hit .279 with nine doubles, three triples, three homers and 37 RBIs in 55 games with a .798 OPS. Baker had an 0.64 ERA going 1-0 in 10 games. He walked five and struck out 12 in 14 innings.
Nanaimo Bars
RHP Alex Rogers (Nanaimo, BC) was a workhorse pitching a complete game as the Trinidad State Trojans eliminated the Salt Lake City Bruins 7-3 in the Region 18 Tournament. He allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out five to increase his record to 7-6. INF Brady Rogers (Nanaimo, BC) singled and knocked in a run in the opener, a 15-7 to Southern Nevada. An 8-1 loss to Southern Nevada ended the Trinidad State season.
On the season ... Alex Rogers was 7-5 in 15 starters with a 3.70 ERA. He walked eight and struck out 53 in 75 1/3 innings. Brady Rogers hit .292 with four doubles, a triple, a homer and 18 RBIs in 38 games with a .828 OPS.
Pair help San Jacinto to World Series:
Josh Croft (Powell River, BC) and Max Wood (Vancouver, BC) helped lead the San Jacinto North Gators to Grand Junction. They got there by beating Angelina 4-1 in the Southern District Championship in Sugar Land, Tex. They started out there Region XIV tournament with a win over the Panola Ponies. Wood would go 3-for-4 with a run scored in that game. They would then drop a game to Angelina 2-0 before bouncing back with a 3-2 win over Alvin Community College. Wood went 2-for-4 with an RBI in that game. Next up was a nail biting 8-7 win over Northeast Texas Community College. Wood exploded for a 3-for-5 day with a run and RBI. He would then collect a hit, a run and an RBI in a 12-4 win over Blinn. San Jacinto scored eight runs in the top of the 11th to seal the victory. Next up was a rematch with Angelina, beat them twice and they were off to Grand Junction. Game 1 went San Jacinto’s way, powered by Wood who went 2-for-3with a walk and four runs scored. He would then punch a hit in a 4-1 win to take the district championship. Wood, listed as a utility player is hitting .348 with six home runs, 37 RBIs, 39 runs scored and 15 stolen bases through 48 games played.
Dodge City off to NJCAA World Series:
Josh Williams (Toronto, Ont.) and his Dodge City Conquistadors are off to the NJCAA World Series. He is committed to Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Dodge City would take down Neosho County (Williams singled) Butler, Fort Scott before falling to Cowley County. They would bounce back to beat Cowley County to advance. They now face Northwest Florida State in the opener of the World Series.
Cowboys eliminated
Bryce Dimitroff (Burlington, Ont.) finished his season hitting .375 with two home runs, 31 RBIs, 50 runs scored and seven stolen bases over 49 games as Connors State lost in the Region II tournament.
Wacker hacks
Travis Wacker (Oakville, Ont.) knocked in a run in as Grayson County Vikings lost 3-2 to the Odessa Wranglers in Region V Tournament at Lubbock, Tex. He singled and knocked in a run in a 23-15 win over Cisco Wranglers. And he singled in a 24-14 loss to the New Mexico Thunderbirds.
On the season ... Wacker hit .328 with four doubles, a triple, four homers and 38 RBIs in 37 games, plus a .865 OPS.
High land or low land Reivers?:
Iowa Western booked their ticket to Grand Junction, Colorado over that past week. Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.) is a member of the Reivers (don’t ask me what a Reiver is) and is recovering from surgery. Iowa Western will take on South Carolina Sumter in Game 1 of the JUCO World Series.
Freshmen on World Series team:
Jaxson Hooge (Calgary, Alta.) a utility player, Graham Weibe (Abottsford, BC) an outfielder and Benjamyn Wieler (Abottsford, BC) a first baseman were on the roster to start the Tabor College Blue Jays season and now the Blue Jays are in Lewiston, ID for the Avista-NAIA World Series.
Steering the Guard
Coach Rob Pegg (Flesherton, Ont.) has his Vanguard Lions in the Avista-NAIA World Series after an 8-0 win over the Northwestern Ohio Racers at Santa Clarita, Calif. Pegg is in his third season running the Vanguard program and has been a head collegiate skipper since 2005.
Last year the Lions finished in third in the GSAC play and qualified for the national tournament opening round with an at large bid.
Pegg graduated summa cum laude from Vanguard, then Southern California College, in 1997, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He served as the Lions’ starting catcher for two seasons and was named male athlete of the year and MVP as a senior (1996-97) and was a member of the All-GSAC first team and an NAIA All-America honorable mention selection.
After graduation, he Canton Crocodiles (Ohio), where his squad won the Frontier League championship in its inaugural season. He was a three-time NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010), Pegg also guided his then-squad to a third place NCCAA World Series finish in 2009.
Honors
Big Man in Missouri Valley:
It is always nice to hear a familiar name, isn’t it? Jeff Degano (Surrey, BC) has been no stranger to the BMOC and he was recently honoured by the Missouri Valley Conference brass with a second team all-conference selection. He finished his regular season campaign with a 7-3 record and a 2.57 ERA for the Indiana State Sycamores. He also struck out 117 batters, tying him for fifth best in all of the NCAA. He held opposing hitters in the yard for all of conference play.
Hawkins honoured twice:
Joey Hawkins (Whitby, Ont.) is now a decorated man. Hawkins, the Missouri State Bears second baseman took home Missouri Valley Conference second team all-conference honours this past week. To go along with that nod, he was also named the MVC Defensive Player of the Year. Hawkins is the Bears co-captain and finished the season hitting .278 with two home runs and 24 RBIs to go along with a .974 fielding percentage over 52 games, all starts.
Harkness honourable mention:
Well he didn’t quite make the first or second team but a honourable mention is nothing to scoff at. That is exactly what Brodie Harkness (Bowmanville, Ont.) received this week. Harkness, in his freshman season has a 6-4 record with a 5.07 over 14 starts. He also threw a complete game and was named MVC Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 23rd.
Siddall named POY:
How does this sound: .343, 11 home runs, 55 RBIs? The MAAC thought it sounded good enough for a Player of the Year nod and it went to a Canadian. Brett Siddall (Windsor, Ont.) was honoured with the accolade this past week. He led the conference in home runs, doubles (19) and RBIs. He was also a first team all-MAAC selection. He would solidify this honour with a solid last week of the season. In a midweek with Akron he would record a hit, a run and an RBI in Cansius’ 5-3 win. Then in a weekend series with Niagara he would open up with a 2-for-4 game with a pair of runs scored. In game 2 he went a perfect 3-for-3 with another pair of runs and three RBIs. He would close out his regular season by going 3-for-3 with five RBIs.
All-tourney spot for freshman
Daniel Szpik (Toronto, Ont.) was named to the NCAA South Region All-Tournament team as a freshman for Florida Tech. He would go 1-for-3 with a run scored in a 5-1 win over West Alabama. He would then go 2-for-5 with an RBI in a win over Lynn. He would close out his tournament going 1-for-4 with a walk in the final against Tampa. Tampa took the game 5-4 in 10 innings to win the south region.
Panas named to first team:
Connor Panas (Toronto, Ont.) was recently named to the all-MAAC first-team. The 2014 MAAC Player of the Year was also a first teamer in 2014. Pants led the team in hitting with a .364 average, 10 home runs and 57 RBIs. He hit .455 in May with 20 hits, four home runs and 21 RBIs in 10 games. He also mashed in the last week of the season. He went 3-for-5 with two runs scored against the Zips. He then crushed the Purple Eagles, starting with a hit, a run and a RBI in Game 1, followed by a 3-for-5 day with three runs and five RBIs in Game 2. In the final game of the regular season he had a pair of hits and a walk to go along with three runs scored and two RBIs.
Stewart the third honoured:
Canisius Golden Griffins starting pitcher Devon Stewart (Maple Ridge, BC) was named to the all-MAAC second team this week. He would finish the season 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA over 14 starts with four complete games. He would win game 2 of the Niagara series, throwing a complete game seven innings, giving up seven hits, four runs (three earned) with a pair of walks and seven punch outs.
Foster named to third team:
Michael Foster (Pickering, Ont.) joined six of his Northeastern Huskies teammates that garnered all Colonial Athletic Association honours. Foster was named to the third team as he is hitting .345 with four home runs, 33 RBIs, 38 runs scored with nine stolen bases over 50 games. So how did Foster fair over the last series of the year and beginning of the conference tournament? In Game 1 of the final series against Charleston, Foster collected a hit and a run score. That hit proved to be a key one in the Huskies win as it set up a walk off home run. Foster then exploded in game 2, going 2-for-4 with a walk, run score and four RBIs. He would pick up a hit, a walk and a run in the regular season finale.
Purple Eagles put themselves on the map:
Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) and Thomas Rodrigues (Pierrefonds, Que.) were named to the MAAC all-conference second team this past week. Kirwer finished his campaign batting .324 with a pair of long balls and 17 RBIs. He had a .400 OBP and a .419 SLG% to go along with 24 stolen bases on 27 attempts over 44 games, 41 starts. Rodrigues would finish slightly ahead in average, hitting at a .327 clip with three home runs and 29 RBIs. A .397 OBP was accompanied by a .477 SLG% and 12 steals in 14 attempts over 46 games, all starts. Both would finish there last week of the season strong, starting with a midweek doubleheader with Buffalo. In Game 1 Rodrigues would go 2-for-4 while Kirwer would pinch run and score a run. Rodrigues would also collect a hit, a walk and a run scored in the nightcap. Then came an always anticipated weekend series with conference rival Canisius to round out the season. Game 1 saw Rodrigues go 2-for-4 again while Kirwer walked and scored a run in a loss. Game 2 of the Thursday doubleheader would see Canisius come away with another victory but not before Rodrigues and Kirwer did their damage. Rodrigues again went 2-for-4, this time with a run scored, while Kirwer was perfect 1-for-1. In the season finale both would fittingly record a hit, while Kirwer also walked. Niagara finished their season 13-32-2 (8-16 MAAC.)
Regular season
Pinero second teamer, then four RBIs
SS Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.) was named to the ACC second team all-conference this week. He is hitting .305 in 51 games at shortstop for the Cavaliers. He is on the watch list for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nations top shortstop. He leads his team in runs scored with 46. He was also a third team selection in 2014. Pinero wasn’t done once he received the recognition.
Fagnan a tough out for Horned Frogs
Jeremie Fagnan (Calgary, Alta) closed his season with a bang for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs as they traveled to Norman, Oak. to take on the Sooners. Game 2 saw Fagnan recorded a hit, a pair of walks, knocked in a run and scored three times scored in TCU’s 11-9 win. The lone hit? Fagnan’s third home run of the season.
Lumley strokes for Griffs:
Jake Lumley (Windsor, Ont.) went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs in Canisius’ opener with Niagara last weekend. Game 2 would see him go 3-for-3 with a pair of walks, four runs scored and an RBI. He would finish the series by going 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Lumley is hitting .326 with three home runs and 37 RBIs through 57 games, 55 starts.
Stevenson the stopper:
J.P. Stevenson (New Glasgow, PEI) threw 5 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, four runs (three earned) with two walks and five strikeouts in Game 2 against Niagara. He is currently 6-3 with a 4.45 ERA.
Shaw leading Sooners:
Chris Shaw (Winnipeg, Man.) would come up with a hit in Oklahoma’s opener with TCU last weekend. He finished the regular season hitting .247 with six home runs and 15 RBIs over 49 games, 47 starts. He has done a lot of the catching for the Sooners.
Bauml a lot to handle:
Cole Bauml (Muenster, Sask.) would conclude his season in a weekend series with Lipscomb. In Game 1 he would work three walks before going 2-for-4 in the finale. Bauml, a senior now waits for the June MLB Draft in hopes his name will be called.
Terriers round up:
Jordan Mountford (Guelph, Ont.) would go 3-for-4 with a walk, a run and two RBIs in the back end of a doubleheader (Game 3 of the series) for Bryant against Wagner.
Joel Brophy (Burlington, Ont.) would go 2-for-3 with a run scored in a Niagara’s midweek Game 1 win over Buffalo. He would get a hit score a run and record an RBI in Game 1 of their weekend series with Canisius. He would step on the bump in Game 2, throwing 1/3 of an inning, giving up a hit, no runs and striking out one.
David Head (Claremont, Ont.) would collect a hit, a run and an RBI in Game 2 of Northern Kentucky’s weekend series with Lipscomb. He would go 1-for-4 with a run scored in the season finale.
Ontario Blue Jays round up:
Phil Diedrick (Ajax, Ont.) collected a hit in the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers series opener against Florida Atlantic before going 1-for-4 in what would be the season finale as Game 3 was cancelled. Diedrich finished the year hitting .291 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs.
Toronto Mets round up:
Brent Cleland (Toronto, Ont.) finished his season by tossing 6 2/3 innings, surrendering just three hits, three runs (one earned) with three walks and six strikeouts for Buffalo.
Christian Botter (Toronto, Ont.) closed out his regular season with a scoreless inning against Miami (Ohio.) He would not allow a hit or a run while walking one and striking out one.
Zack Pop (Brampton, Ont.) finished his freshman regular season at Kentucky with a 0-0 record and a 4.50 ERA over 11 appearances (two starts.) He threw 16 innings.
And finally
I would like to go a little off topic for a second. Recently a former teammate of mine at West Alabama, Brock Ward of Louisville, Miss. was diagnosed with cancer. I would like to ask that those who read this column keep Brock and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he goes through this battle. He has played with many Canadians in his two years at West Alabama.
BMOCs
Week 13 _ Clarkson, Kellogg, Williams, Wood
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 _ Dressler, Fagnan, Marks, Wilson
Week 6 — Degano, Filipek, Kellogg, Siddall
Week 5 — Berube, Degano, Quantrill, Stewart
Week 4 — Bauml, Lillis-White, Panas, Shaw
Week 3 — Black, Dressler, Foster, Romanin
Week 2 — Doran, Germaine, Martin, Robson, Quantrill
Week 1 — Baksh, Gapp, Harkness, Kellogg, Sardellitti
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