BMOC I: Clay, De Grandpre, Demchenko, Howard, Villalobos

Martin Academy grad Thomas Ireland (Regina, Sask.) had two outings, which included a win, as he pitched seven innings allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out 11 for Polk State.

Big Man on Campus, Week I: Clay, Demchenko, Ireland, Villalobos

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

It’s been almost 11 months since the last pitch was thrown in the college season. The good, the bad and the downright ugly of the 2020 season is in the rearview mirror and we can finally turn our attention to the field in 2021.

Below is a recap of the top Canadian performances from the opening weeks of the college baseball season.

Demchenko’s no friend to opposing hitters

Friends University hurler Zack Demchenko (Okotoks, Alta.) looks like he hasn’t missed a beat in the early goings of 2021. He’s made two starts, and recorded two wins dating back to January 22. In a 5-4 win over Peru State, Demchenko scattered six hits and two runs over six innings. He walked two and struck out five.

His second win of the campaign came in another nail biter, a 3-2 win over Texas A&M Texarkana. Demchenko again allowed two runs, this time on four hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked one and added three strikeouts to his season total.

Ireland gets the Opening Day assignment

Thomas Ireland (Regina, Sask.) took the ball for Polk State in the season opener against perennial power Chipola. Ireland was solid over three innings, giving up three hits, a walk and a run in a 7-4 loss. Six of his nine outs were recorded via the strikeout.

Pasco-Hernando State College would provide the next test for Ireland, and he was ready. Ireland picked up his first win of the season by going four innings, scattering seven hits and allowing two runs. The lefty walked one and struck out five.

Coquitlam Reds alum Matthew Clay (Port Moody, BC) had five hits for the College of Idaho Yotes in the first week of the college season. Photo: Yotes Athletics

Clay collects five hits for College of Idaho

The College of Idaho Yotes started the season strong with a 13-12 win over Midland. In the win, Matthew Clay (Port Moody, BC) was 2-for-6 with a pair of RBIs. Unfortunately for the Yotes, it would be their only win of the week. They dropped a 7-3 decision to Arizona Christian and lost 13-7 to San Diego Christian in their next two games. Clay had a hit and a walk against Arizona Christian and went 2-for-5 with a stolen base in the finale.

Chipola’s Canadian trio off to hot start

Three Canadians had a lot to do with Chipola College jumping out to a 6-1 start to the season.

Freshman INF Alfonso Villalobos (Kirkland, Que.) had six hits, including two home runs and a pair of two hit games over the first two weeks of the season. His long balls came in blow out wins over South Florida State College and Wallace Dothan. On top of the six hits, Villalobos also drove in eight and walked once.

On the mound, Cedric De Grandpre (Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, Que.) and Drew Howard (Whitby, Ont.) threw the ball well. De Grandpre made a pair of appearances. The first saw him throw a scoreless inning, while allowing a hit and striking out one. In the second, he picked up the win against Coastal Alabama-Monroeville, by going 2 1/3 innings of relief with six strikeouts. The freshman surrendered a pair of hits, two runs (one earned) and walked two.

Howard, another freshman, made three appearances over the seven games. The 5-foot-10 right hander picked up his first collegiate save by tossing a scoreless 1/3 of an inning in the season opening 7-4 win over Polk State. He was summoned from the bullpen again against South Florida State College the following game and allowed an unearned run over an inning of work. His third and final appearance came in an 8-4 win over Coastal Alabama-Monroeville when he worked an inning, gave up a hit and struck out two.

Vauxhall Academy alum Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC) homered twice for the Southern Nevada Coyotes during the first week of the college season. Photo: Twitter

Like Bryce Harper at Bryce Harper’s old school

Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC) homered twice as Southern Nevada Coyotes thumped the Salt Lake Bruins 19-5. Leading 8-2 in the fifth inning, Palmegiani hit a three-run home run to right-centre field, boosting the lead to 11-2.

Palmegiani led CSN with a 2-of-3 performance at the plate, finishing with five RBIs along with scoring three runs himself.

College baseball is back, finally, and the Canadians that were in action wasted no time making their presence felt. Remember to check back here each week to see the top performances from our very own.

If you know someone who is deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column, please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com. Please note our week runs Monday-Sunday.