BMOC XII: LeBlanc, Martin, Pidhaichuk, Rose, Wilson, Zazulak

RF Cory Wood (Fredericton, NB) of the University of Arkansas Monticello Boll Weevils hit his 15th home run for the the single season home run record at Arkansas Monticello.  

BMOC Week 12
By Matt Betts
The list of Canadian players who have put up phenomenal performances for their college teams just continues to grow. This week’s edition of the Big Men on Campus features a pair of Canadian based schools filled with homegrown talent along with those plying their trade south of the border. It’s that time the week again, here are the standouts from the last week.

UBC splits with #2 Lewis Clark State
It was not the first meeting of the season between the University of British Columbia and the No. 2 ranked Lewis Clark State Warriors. They have already met four times this season with Lewis Clark State coming out on top in three of the four meetings. The T-Birds were able to get a little revenge in Game 1 of their four game set with a 6-4, 10 inning victory. Anthony Olson (Edmonton, Alta.) would lead the offence with a 3-for-6 day with a run scored. Anthony Cusati (Burnaby, BC), Vinny Martin (Pender Island, BC) and Brendan Rose (Calgary, Alta.) all chipped in with two hits apiece. Cusati and Rose would also score runs in the win. It would be a double, two RBIs and a run scored for Bruce Yari (Waterloo, Ont.) in the opener. Alex Webb (Surrey, BC) continued his incredible season by going seven innings, scattering just four hits, two runs (one earned) with a walk and nine strikeouts. Despite the solid start it was actually Tyler Gillies (London, Ont.) picking up the win. He would go three innings, giving up three hits, two runs with a walk and a strikeout. He improved his record to 2-0.
Game 2 would see the T-Birds double up the Warriors 8-4. Cusati again had a pair of hits and a run scored. Yari would have a hit, walk and score a run. The big blast came off the bat of Lichel Hirakawa-Kao (Vancouver, BC) who hit three run shot. Connor Noble (Vancouver, BC) was again solid on the bump. This time around he went 8 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits, four runs with three walks and five strikeouts. 
Lewis Clark State wasn’t ready to roll over and die and hand the series to UBC. They would top the Canadian team 5-1 in Game 3. It was Martin getting back in on the offensive action going 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI. Yari would get a hit in his third game of the series as well. It was Brad Smith (Vancouver, BC) taking the loss on the mound going four innings, allowing four hits, four runs (two earned) with a walk and two punch outs. When the game was turned over the the bullpen, Christian Botnick (Brampton, Ont.) would do his best to keep it close. He would toss three innings, allowing two hits, a run (unearned) with a walk and two strikeout.
The T-Birds would not win the series as Lewis Clark State would earn a 3-1 win in Game 4. Yari would bang out two hits while Cusati and Martin would knock one each. Jeremy Newton took the loss despite a quality start. He threw 6 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits, two runs and a  walk with six strikeouts.

Quark beats Bryan
It was a nice performance for Nelson Quark (Winnipeg, Man.) for Campellsville University as they took down Bryan College 6-5. The Chandler-Gilbert Community College transfer would work five innings and would give up three hits and a lone run in his relief appearance. He would walk two and strikeout two before his day was done.

Record keeps on growing
It’s obvious that breaking the all-time hit record at Embry-Riddle University was big but Liam Goodall (Nanaimo, BC) didn’t want to stop there. He would add to his hit total in the Eagles 9-7 win over Armstrong Atlantic by going 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, a RBI and three runs scored. Next it would be Florida Tech who would have to try and slow down Goodall and they failed miserably. He would again going 3-for-3 in the opener of the conference series. One of the hits was a solo home run accounting for a RBI and a run scored. He also walked and stole a base despite Embry-Riddle falling 3-1. Game 2 would go to Embry-Riddle 10-4. Goodall went 2-for-3 in that one with a double, two walks, three RBIs and three runs scored. In the finale, a 2-1 ERAU win, he would pound out two hits and knock in a run. Goodall would tie a NCAA record by reaching base in 15 straight plate appearances.

Wood a home run record holder
Canadians continue to smash records in college baseball. This time it was Cory Wood (Fredericton, NB) of the University of Arkansas Monticello. First, lets take a look at his weekend, as it had a lot to do with the record. In a game against Ouachita Baptist he would hit a home run and walk.  In Game 1 of their series against East Central he would hit a three run shot. He would also walk and be hit by a pitch in the game. He would end the game with three RBIs and three runs scored. Wood would have two hits with a walk, RBI and run in Game 2. He would round out his weekend with a 2-for-3 performance and another home run. Over the course of the last week Wood hit three home runs to bring his total to 15 on the year. His 15 home runs is good enough to be the single season home run champion at Arkansas Monticello. He is currently leading the team in average at .351 to go along with with 45 RBIs

Comeau makes lethal combo
Not to be outdone, Ethan Comeau (Halifax, NS) had himself a very good weekend as well for Arkansas Monticello. In the game against Ouachita Baptist he went 2-for-5 with a run. Against East Central he would go 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in Game 1 and 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored in Game 2. In the finale he would walk twice. Arkansas Monticello won all four games and currently hold a 26-11 record and a 17-7 record in Great American Conference action.

Clarke can hit
Tristan Clarke (Brampton, Ont.) would have three hits in two of Eastern Oklahoma State’s games against Rose State this past week. Overall he would also have two walks, five RBIs and two runs scored. Two of his hits were doubles. On the year in 39 games he is hitting .410 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

No. 1 Wood is good
Right fielder and cleanup hitter Max Wood (Vancouver, BC) has put up a .410/.469/.525 slash and leads the new No. 1-ranked team, San Jacinto Gators (34-8) with 57 hits. Woood went 4-for-5 with four RBIs in a 9-7 triumph against Galveston Whitecaps.
Currently uncommitted, Wood had a base hit a in a 6-5 win over the Galveston. He had a hit and knocked in a run in a 15-5 romp over Galveston. Wood had two hits and knocked in a run in a 3-2 win over Baton Rouge and knocked in a run in a 3-1 decision in the nitecap. 

Zazulak heats up as series goes on.
Not getting a hit in the University of Texas Permian Basin’s series opener against Rogers State wouldn’t discourage Jordan Zazulak (Coquitlam, BC). In Game 2 he would go 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. He would save the best for last by going 3-for-5 with a solo home run, three RBIs and a run scored in Game 3. He would also steal a base in the 6-5, 10 inning win. Zazulak would be the one who sent the finale into extra innings. His single in the ninth tied the game.

Pinero plugging away
Playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference is tough but you don’t have to tell Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.) that, he already knows. Pinero has been a key cog in the Cavalier lineup and this past week was no different. In a midweek contest with Longwood he would have a hit and two walks while also knocking in a run in the 9-4 win. The weekend would see the Cavs locked into a huge clash with the Tar Heels of North Carolina. Virginia would take the opener 7-4 and Pinero would work two walks and score a run. North Carolina would hold Pinero and most of the Cavalier offence silent in Game 2 en route to handing Virginia an 8-1 loss. Pinero would then  power his team to a 15-9, Game 3 win. In that one he would go 3-for-5 with a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Pidhaichuk doing okay for Jayhawks
Ryan Pidhaichuk (Richmond, BC) would have four hits and four walks for the Kansas Jayhawks last week. In a 7-6 Kansas midweek win over Omaha he would stroke a double, walk twice, score a run and steal a base. In Game 1 of their weekend series with Texas he would go 2-for-6 with another double, two RBIs and a run scored. Despite losing 8-6 in Game 2, Pidhaichuk would get a hit and two walks. He would also knock in two more runs and score one himself. He is hitting .281 on the campaign.

Martin mashes for Eastern Michigan
Jackson Martin (Listowel, Ont.) would get his week started with a 2-for-4 game with a double, walk, RBI and run scored in a 6-5, 10 inning win over Purdue. He would make a positive appearance in the boxscore in a weekend series with Kent State. Despite being throttled 13-3 by the Golden Flashes, Martin would get himself a hit. In Game 2, a 4-2 loss, he would go 2-for-3 with a run scored. In the final game of the three game series he would earn a hit and a walk.

Osborne opening eyes
If J.D. Osborne (Whitby, Ont.) hasn’t caught your attention already you’re missing out. This time around Tampa headed to Lynn to take on the Fighting Knights. In Game 1 Osborne would go 4-for-6 with a three-run home run. He would finish the game with five RBIs and three runs scored in the 15-9 Tampa win. In the 9-6 Game 2 Tampa win he would go 3-for-5 with a RBI while crossing the plate three times. Tampa would earn the sweep in Game 3 by downing Lynn 18-14 in 11 innings. The Spartans would score seven times in the top of the 11th on their way to victory. Osborne would have a hit, RBI and a run scored in the final game.

Bouchey dominates again
Game 2 of Louisiana Monroe’s series against Georgia State was never close and with Brayden Bouchey (White Rock, BC) it didn’t really matter. That is because Bouchey would toss seven scoreless innings in the 14-0 ULM win while allowing just three hits and five walks with no strikeouts. He would pick up the win and is now 4-2 on the year.

Lumley leaving his mark on opposition
It was a six hit week for Jake Lumley (Windsor, Ont.) as his Canisius Golden Griffins would win 3-of-4. In their midweek game with Buffalo he would go 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Game 1 of their series with Rider would be their only loss and Lumley would have a hit and drive in a run in the 5-3 final. Canisius would down Rider 1-0 in Game 2 and then thump the Broncs in Game 3, 15-5. Lumley would have a 3-for-6 game in Game 3 and would score two runs. He is hitting .289 on the year with a home run and 18 RBIs.

Wilson also hot
Liam Wilson (Ayr, Ont.) would also go 2-for-4 for Canisius against Buffalo while adding a RBI and two runs in the midweek win. He would have another pair of hits in Game 1 against Rider and would also record a RBI and a run. He would conclude his weekend in Game 3 agains Rider with a hit, a walk and two runs scored.

Remillard keeps saving the day
It was a tight 1-0 game when Iannick Remillard (Valleyfield, Que.) was summoned from the bullpen to get the final three outs. Remillard didn’t disappointed in the big moment. He would record the three outs without giving up a hit, a run or a walk. He would strikeout two to earn his ninth save of the season. He is 1-1 on the year with a 3.15 ERA in 14 appearances, all in relief. He has thrown 20 innings, struck out 15 compared to five walks. The opposition is hitting just .208 against the big right hander.

Lets get to another Canadian team
Despite dropping 3-of-4 to Everett Community College there were some good performances for Canadians wearing the Douglas College Royals uniform. In Game 1 at home as part of a split home and home doubleheader weekend, Everett would hand Douglas a 13-0 loss. Shoma Sasaki (Delta, BC) would be a bright spot for Douglas, going 2-for-4. 
Game 2 would see Douglas take home a 6-4 win. Sasaki would gather a hit, a walk and a RBI. Brett Sakaki (Surrey, BC) would pick up the win on the mound going five innings, giving up eight hits, four runs (two earned) with two walks and four strikeouts. Liam Kano-McGregor (Langley, BC) was solid in relief throwing three innings without giving up a hit. He would walk one and strikeout one. Shane Wlodarczak (Richmond, BC) would pick up his third save of the year throwing an inning while allowing a hit and a walk with no runs.
Douglas would drop Game 3, 13-3 when they headed to Everett for the back end of the home and home doubleheader. Sasaki would draw a walk, while Jacob Robazza (Surrey, BC) would go 3-for-3 with a RBI. Wlodarczak would do his work with the bat in this one, hitting a double and scoring a run.

In the finale, a 9-7 loss, Cole Russell (Victoria, BC) was good on the mound for Douglas. He would toss four innings, surrendering just two hits, no runs with two walks and three strikeouts. 

Handley handles the bat for Seawolves
First up for the Stony Brook Seawolves last week was a midweek clash with Long Island University Brooklyn, a game Stony Brook would win 8-1. Toby Handley (Whitby, Ont.) would go 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored in the game. The weekend would bring a series with UMass Lowell and Handley would have a hit and earn a walk in the opener, a 2-1 loss. Stony Brook would get back in the win column in Game 2 by way of 5-0 win. Handley would again have a hit and a walk but this time he would also drive in one. The Seawolves would seal the series win with a 5-3, Game 3 win. Handley would have another hit, drive in a run and score one to finish his week.

Leblanc has eight hits for Pitt
Charles LeBlanc (Laval, Que.) and the Pittsburgh Panthers were in the Old Dominion State this past week. Their first matchup was a midweek game with West Virginia. Pittsburgh would down the Mountaineers 4-1 and LeBlanc would have a hit, two walks and a run scored in the win. The Panthers would then head to Virginia Tech for a ACC series with the Hokies. Game 1 would go to Virginia Tech by way of a 5-4 final. LeBlanc would have a hit and a walk with a run scored in the opener. It was a 6-5 win for Pitt in Game 2 and LeBlanc would have a huge day for the visitors at the plate in that one. He would go 5-for-6 with two runs score. Pittsburg would win the series with a 8-5 Game 3 win. LeBlanc would again have a hit, a walk and a run scored.

It was another fun week to follow Canadians in college baseball. Wins are at a premium and a lot Canadians are being relied upon more and more as the weeks pass. Make sure to check back next week to see who stepped up.

If you know someone who is deserving of a mention in this weekly column, please email Matt Betts @ mattbetts41@gmail.com