28 Canadians off to the NCAA Division I Regionals
Ontario Blue Jays alum Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.), No. 3 in the photo, is hoping to lead the Vanderbilt Commodores to success at the Nashville Regional NCAA Tournament. Photo: Vanderbilt Athletics
May 31, 2019
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
The NCAA baseball tournament is set to get underway and 28 Canadians across 19 teams will be taking part. A total of 64 teams remain and are divided into 16 regionals. Below is a summary of all the Canadian content that will be participating in the action.
Vanderbilt Commodores: 49-10, hosting the Nashville Regional
The No. 2 Vanderbilt Commodores earned the right to host a regional by going 49-10 so far and winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Commodores will welcome No. 23 Indiana State, McNeese State and Ohio State. Holding down the No. 1 seed in the regional sets them up with an opener against Ohio State. The Commodores have one Canadian on their roster.
Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.)
Cooper Davis enters the regionals holding an impressive .333 batting average with a .444 on-base percentage and a .425 slugging percentage. He has also swiped six bases in 34 games.
ABC and Junior National Team alum Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.) has 48 RBIs for the Auburn Tigers. Photo: Auburn Athletics
Auburn Tigers: 33-25, No. 2 seed in the Atlanta Regional
The Tigers dropped two straight after opening the SEC tournament with a win over Tennessee and were eliminated. They’re tough schedule earned them a berth in the Atlanta Regional. They take on Coastal Carolina in Game 1. The other teams in Atlanta are Georgia Tech and Florida A&M. The Tigers have one Canadian on the roster.
Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.)
Sophomore slugger Edouard Julien was a SEC All-Freshman Team selection and named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball, NCBWA and Perfect Game/Rawlings. So far in 2019 Julien is hitting .236 with 8 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Great Lake Canadians grad Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.) has posted a 3-0 record and a 4.40 ERA for the Mississippi State Bulldogs this season. Photo: Mississippi State Athletics
Mississippi State Bulldogs: 46-13, hosting the Starkville Regional
Not far behind Vanderbilt in 2019 has been their Southeastern Conference competitor, No. 3 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are set to host a regional that will see No. 17 Miami, Central Michigan and Southern come to Starkville. The SEC is hosting six of the 16 regionals. In Game 1 the Bulldogs will take on Southern. Mississippi State has one Canadian partaking in the festivities.
Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.)
So far this season freshman Eric Cerantola owns a 3-0 record with a 4.40 ERA. The righty and 2018 Tampa Bay Rays pick has held hitters to a .154 batting average against.
Ex-Ontario Blue Jay Max Hewitt (Midhurst, Ont.), pictured here with Detroit Tigers infielder Jody Mercer, has a .317 batting average in 31 games for the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season. Photo: Twitter
Oklahoma State Cowboys: 36-18, hosting Oklahoma City Regional
Nationally ranked No. 9 Oklahoma State rolls into the regional after beating No. 13 West Virginia 5-2 to capture the Big 12 title. Originally scheduled to host the regional on home turf in Stillwater, Okla. the plans changed after heavy rainfall forces the tournament to Oklahoma City. Also participating are Nebraska, the University of Connecticut and Harvard. The Cowboys take on Harvard in Game 1 and feature one Canadian.
Max Hewitt (Midhurst, Ont.)
Former Ontario Blue Jay Max Hewitt has played in 31 games this season, starting 19 of them. He has accumulated a .317 average and a .482 on-base percentage. Oklahoma State isn't the only Cowboy team he’s suited up for as he transferred from the Connors State Cowboys.
Victoria Mariners alum Jason Willow (Victoria, B.C.) is hitting .263 with 20 RBIs for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos this season. Photo: Twitter
University of California, Santa Barbara: 45-9, No. 2 seed in the Stanford Regional
The No. 19 University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos are more than just a team with a cool name. The Gauchos have yet to lose double digit games. They will be stacked up against No. 11 Stanford, Fresno State and Sacramento State in an all-California regional. Their first test will come when they take on Fresno State in the opening game. The Gauchos carry one Canadian.
Jason Willow (Victoria, BC)
In 41 games for the Gauchos Jason Willow is hitting .263. He also has 20 RBIs.
Okotoks Dawgs alum Dane Tofteland (Grande Prairie, Alta.) has batted .244 in 34 games with the Indiana State Sycamores this season. Photo: Indiana State Athletics.
Indiana State Sycamores: 41-16, No. 2 seed in the Nashville Regional
The Indiana State Sycamores reeled off four straight wins on route to the Missouri Valley Conference title. They head to Nashville with three Canadians and will face McNeese State in the opener.
Dane Tofteland (Grand Prairie, Alta.)
Dane Tofteland begins regional play with a .244 average over 34 games played this season. He has also slugged at a .400 clip
Tyler Whitbread (Camlachie, Ont.)
Fresh off being named to the All-Tournament Team during the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, Tyler Whitbread enters regional action with an 8-2 record and a 2.99 ERA. He tossed eight innings, allowed five hits, one run, walked three and struck out nine as the Sycamores downed Southern Illinois in Game 3 of the conference tournament. The opposition has hit just .218 off the righty this season.
Max Wright (Toronto, Ont.)
Another offensive weapon at the Sycamores disposal is Max Wright. Wright is hitting .287 with four home runs and 35 RBIs.
Okotoks Dawgs alum Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.) is tied for the Indiana Hoosiers’ lead with 16 home runs this season and has also posted a 1.80 ERA in 13 appearances on the mound. Photo: Indiana Athletics.
Indiana Hoosiers: 36-21, No. 2 seed in the Louisville Regional
The Louisville Regional is comprised of No. 11 Louisville, Indiana, Illinois State and the University of Illinois-Chicago. The Hoosiers have been to a regional is six of the past seven seasons and will take on Illinois State in Game 1. One Canadian is off with the Hoosiers.
Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.)
Technically he is only one player but Matt Lloyd can do a bit of everything. Lloyd led the Hoosier offence with 54 RBIs, was tied for first with 16 home runs and finished second with a .291 average. That’s just on the offensive side. On the mound he was 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA and five saves over 13 appearances.
Prairie Baseball Academy alum Tanner Jesson-Dalton (Lethbridge, Alta.) is 5-2 with a 2.17 ERA in 54 innings for the Sacramento State Hornets. Photo: Sacramento State Athletics
Sacramento State Hornets: 39-23, No. 4 seed at the Stanford Regional
Sacramento State features the most Canadians on their roster of any team in the regional with five. The Hornets did the improbable by winning six straight games after dropping the opener to claim the Western Athletic Conference championship. They hope they can carry that momentum over as they take on Stanford in Game 1.
Tanner Jesson-Dalton (Lethbridge, Alta.)
Tanner Dalton has been rock solid for the Hornets this season. He is 5-2 with a 2.17 ERA and six saves over 54 innings.
Steven Moretto (Coquitlam, BC)
Sacramento State has been helped on the offensive side by Steven Moretto’s nine home runs and 38 RBIs. He is hitting .215 heading into the round of 64.
Connor Sparks (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Right hander Connor Sparks has an 11.08 ERA over 13 innings pitched.
Dylan Ohlsen (Abbotsford, BC)
Over 18 games played Dylan Olsen has hit .147
Martin Vincelli-Simard (Boisbriand, Que.)
Martin Vincelli-Simard is hitting .214 in 2019. He has also blasted six long balls and driven in 37.
Zack McQuaid (Oshawa, Ont.)
Freshman Zack McQuaid has not played this season.
Toronto Mets alum Dondrae Bremner (Toronto, Ont.) is batting .244 in 14 games for the University of CIncinnati Bearcats. Photo: University of Cincinnati Athletics/Twitter
Cincinnati Bearcats: 30-29, No. 4 seed in the Corvallis Regional
Looking at the record one might not think the Cincinnati Bearcats would be playing in a regional but they went 4-0 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament to claim the championship. The Bearcats, who will be joined by No. 16 Oregon State, No. 22 Creighton and Michigan, feature two Canadians. They will take on national power Oregon State in Game 1.
Dondrae Bremner (Toronto, Ont.)
Dondrae Bremner is hitting .244 on the campaign. He has played in 14 game and made 13 starts as a sophomore.
Chase Stewart (Abbotsford, BC)
On the hill Chase Stewart is 2-2 with a 7.09 ERA for the Bearcats. All 18 of his appearances have come in relief.
Edmonton Prospects alum Aidan Huggins (Edmonton, Alta.) is hitting .249 in 57 games for the Illinois State Redbirds so far this season. Photo: Illinois State Athletics
Illinois State Redbirds: 34-24, No. 3 seed in the Louisville Regional
The Redbirds of Illinois State enter regional play after going 2-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They have two Canadians on their roster. The Redbirds take on Indiana in the opener.
Dalton Harvey (Cambridge, Ont.)
The son of former NHLer Todd Harvey, Dalton does his work on the mound for the Redbirds. Harvey has a 6.00 ERA over eight appearances.
Aidan Huggins (Edmonton, Alta.)
Aidan Huggins is hitting .249 in 57 games so far this season. He has swatted three home runs and driven in 26.
North Shore Twins alum Braden Toikka (Vancouver, B.C.) owns a 3-3 record in 11 appearances for the UIC Flames. Photo: UIC Athletics.
University of Illinois-Chicago: 29-21, No. 4 seed in the Louisville Regional
The Flames of Illinois-Chicago come into regional play after winning the Horizon League title. In Game 1 of the regional the Flames will play Louisville. They have one Canadian on their roster.
Braeden Toikka (Vancouver, BC)
Over 11 appearances, nine of which were starts, Braeden Toikka is 3-3. His ERA currently sits at 5.97.
Ontario Terriers alum Sam Turcotte (Toronto, Ont.) is 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 22 appearances with the Stony Brook Seawolves this season. Photo: Stony Brook Athletics
Stony Brook Seawolves: 31-21, No. 4 seed in the Baton Rouge Regional
Head Coach Matt Senk and the Stony Brook Seawolves have fond memories of Baton Rouge. It was here in 2012 that the Seawolves knocked off the Louisiana State University Tigers in the Super Regional to advance to their only College World Series. They will get No. 13 LSU again in the opener after winning the America East Tournament. Stony Brook will be the No. 4 seed and also share a bracket with Arizona State and Southern Mississippi. This time around the Seawolves have one Canadian.
Sam Turcotte (Toronto, Ont.)
Former Ontario Terriers Tanner Nivins (Kitchener, Ont.) and Jasvir Rakkar (North York, Ont.) were members of that 2012 team. This time around it will be another former Terrier, Sam Turcotte, hoping to strike success. Turcotte has pitched mostly out of the bullpen with 22 appearances but has made one start. He is 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA.
Great Lake Canadians and Ontario Blue Jays alum Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.) has a 5-6 records and 3.76 ERA in 76 2/3 innings for the Liberty Flames. Photo: Liberty Athletics
Liberty Flames: 42-19, No. 3 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional
Liberty has been quite successful this season and will look to build on their record in Chapel Hill. Game 1 will see them take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Chapel Hill Regional also includes No. 14 North Carolina and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The Flames have one Canadian.
Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.)
The Flames have handed the ball to Noah Skirrow 16 time this season, 15 for starts. Skirrow is 5-6 with a 3.76 ERA and has worked 76 2/3 innings.
Okotoks Dawgs alum Nik Cardinal (Bonnyville, Alta.) is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Photo: Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Bulldogs: 38-14-1, No. 3 seed in the Stanford Regional
One Canadian has seen action for the Mountain West champion Fresno State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs will take on UC Santa Barbara in Game 1.
Nik Cardinal (Bonnyville, Alta.)
In 15 appearances this season, Nik Cardinal is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA. Two of those appearances came in starts.
Edmonton Cardinals alum Matt Bondarchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) is hitting .267 and has swiped nine bases in 30 games for the University of Nebraska Omaha. Photo: University of Nebraska Omaha Athletics
University of Nebraska Omaha: 31-22-1, No. 4 seed in the Los Angeles Regional
It will be a tough first game for the Summit League champion Omaha Mavericks as they will face No. 1 University of California Los Angeles to kick their regional off. The rest of the regional features No. 21 Baylor and Loyola Marymount. The Mavericks hope the road eventually leads right back home to Omaha and the College World Series. The Mavs have one Canadian accompanying them to L.A.
Matt Bondarchuk (Edmonton, Alta.)
Matt Bondarchuk is hitting .267 on the campaign. He has also swiped nine bases in 30 games played.
ABC alum Mathieu Gauthier (Candiac, Que.) owns a 2.53 ERA in seven appearances for the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Photo: North Carolina State Athletics
North Carolina State Wolfpack: 42-17, No. 2 seed in the Greenville Regional
They went just 1-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament but No. 20 NC State still earned a regional bid based on their strong regular season. The regional contains host No. 10 East Carolina, Campbell and Quinnipiac. The Wolfpack draw Campbell in Game 1. The team has one Canadian and he is on the pitching staff.
Mathieu Gauthier (Candiac, Que.)
The numbers are impressive over limited action for Mathieu Gauthier. In seven appearances he has a 2.53 ERA. One of those appearances was a start.
Great Lake Canadians alum Kyle Maves (Burlington, Ont.) is hitting .260 and has 17 stolen bases for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Photo: Quinnipiac Athletics
Quinnipiac Bobcats: 29-27, No. 4 seed in the Greenville Regional
Quinnipiac is coming into the regionals after a thrilling 6-5, 13 inning win over Fairfield in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game. They take on East Carolina in Game 1. One Canadian is on the Bobcats roster.
Kyle Maves (Burlington, Ont.)
Kyle Maves is hitting .260 for the Bobcats. When he gets on base he is a threat to move himself along, as he is 17-for-18 in stolen base attempts.
Harvard Crimson: 27-14, No. 4 seed in the Oklahoma City Regional
Winning the Ivy League championship earned Harvard their berth in the field of 64. They have one Canadian. It’s a tough test for Harvard as they get Oklahoma State to open things up.
Matt Jenkins (Toronto, Ont.)
Matt Jenkins has not played in 2019.
Central Michigan Chippewas: 46-12, No. 3 seed in the Starkville Regional
The Central Michigan Chippewas take an impressive record and a Mid-American Conference championship to Mississippi. The Chippewas face Miami to get it rolling. The roster includes one Canadian.
Garrett Nicholson (Sydney Mines, NS)
Garrett Nicholson has not played in 2019.
The fun is about to start. Soon the 64 teams will be reduced to 16 for Super Regional play. Canadians are looking to help their teams move on.