BMOC: College Season in Review - Hicks, Jackson, Keys, Marks, O’Toole

Regina Red Sox alum Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) was named an NAIA First-Team All-American after hitting .469 average and launching 18 home runs to lead the Gwinnett Grizzlies to their first NAIA national title. Photo: Georgia Gwinnett College Athletics

July 5, 2021

2021 College Baseball Season in Review

By: Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

It was far from an ordinary season.

But after a shortened 2020, the highs seemed a little higher and the lows not so dire.

Let’s take a trip back in time and take a look at some of the top highlights from Canadians during the 2021 college baseball season.

Dawgs pile in Omaha

When the final out of the college baseball season was recorded, it was the Mississippi State Bulldogs who were celebrating their first national championship not only in baseball, but in school history. I know, it’s hard to believe for an institution who competes in the Southeastern Conference and produces top athletes to the pro ranks.

Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.) was a member of the Bulldogs and made 10 appearances, including four starts in 2021. Cerantola was 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA over 17 1/3 innings.

Keller earns All-American Honours

Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) had one of the best offensive seasons by a Canadian in recent memory. Keller hit his way to a .469 average and launched 18 home runs to lead the Grizzlies to their first NAIA national title. He accumulated 89 RBIs and an incredible 1.400 OPS thanks to a .545 on-base percentage and a .855 slugging percentage. Deservingly, he was named a NAIA First Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings.

Great Lake Canadians alum Jordan Marks (Bright’s Grove, Ont.) went 10-2 with a 2.54 ERA and struck out 101 in 95 2/3 innings for the USC Upstate Spartans. Photo: USC Upstate Athletics

Marks leaves his mark

It seemed like Jordan Marks (Brights Grove, Ont.) was making up for lost time in 2021. The USC Upstate Spartans slinger went 10-2 with a 2.54 ERA and struck out 101 in 95 2/3 innings for a team that went 37-16. Marks became the schools all-time wins leader with 21 after defeating UNC Asheville on May 20th.

The accolades also came pouring in when the Spartans season came to an end. Marks was named the Big South Pitcher of the Year, he was a ABCA/Rawlings Division I Atlantic All-Region Second Team selection and a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division 1 All-America Third Team pick.

Jackson an All-American

Corey Jackson (Calgary, Alta.) struck out 176 hitters over 111 innings for the Bellevue Bruins in 2021. He finished 9-3 with a save and a 2.43 ERA in 18 appearances, 17 of which were starts. Thanks to those numbers, he was named a Second Team All-American by the ABCA/Rawlings.

Keys collects awards

Travis Keys (London, Ont.) was brilliant for Aquinas College in 2021. The southpaw was 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA with 101 punch outs over 62 innings. He held opponents to a .210 batting average along the way.

He was named the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and a NAIA All-American Honourable Mention.

Toronto Mets alum Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) powered the Wright State Raiders’ offence this season, batting .383 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs. Photo: Wright State Athletics

Black backs the hype

One player who should hear his name called over the three days of the MLB Draft is Wright State’s Tyler Black (Toronto, Ont.). And for good reason. Black powered the Raider offence this season with a .383 average, 13 home runs, 59 RBIs and a 1.179 OPS.

Black was named to the Knoxville All-Regional Team after going 5-for-9 with three home runs in a pair of losses to No. 2 Tennessee and Duke. When the dust settled, he was named a Third Team All-American by both Perfect Game/Rawlings and by D1 Baseball.

Canadian All-Americans in the NJCAA

Canadians made their mark in the National Junior College Athletic Association too.

Let’s start with Damiano Palmegiani (Victoria, BC). Palmegiani was named a First Team All-American after posting a .389 average in 63 games for the College of Southern Nevada. The University of Arizona commit swatted 26 home runs, drove in 81 and stole 14 bases.

Freshman right hander Evan O’Toole (Bridgewater, NS) was a Second Team All-American for the Iowa Western Reivers. O’Toole appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts, going 9-0 with a 1.31 ERA over 55 innings pitched.

Toronto Mets alum Connor Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) hit .415 with 17 home runs for the Mineral Area College Cardinals. Photo: Toronto Mets

Connor Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) of the Mineral Area College Cardinals was a All-American Hon-ourable Mention. Hicks hit .415 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs in 42 games played.

Two more in Omaha

Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.) of the Vanderbilt Commodores and Marc Lebreux (Montreal, Que.) of the Virginia Cavaliers were also in Omaha. Davis and the Dores were downed by Mississippi State in the College World Series best-of-three final 2-1.

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It was a season like no other, and one that no one wants to experience again. But it was completed in its entirety and with plenty of top Canadian performances along the way.

Thanks for following along the wild ride that was the 2021 college baseball season.

Looking for more Canadian baseball content? Follow Matt Betts at @Bettsy41 on Twitter.