May 12, 2021

BMOC Week 15

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

It was a busy week for Canadians in the college game.

A few awards have been handed out, a couple of records broken and some big numbers were put up. Read all about it below.

Keys wins WHAC Pitcher of the Year

Aquinas College’s Travis Keys (London, Ont.) is the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Keys went 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and limited opposing hitters to a .210 average. He made 13 appearances, 10 of which were starts, and struck out 101 over 62 innings.

McCorrister named to All-NSAA First Team

Jared McCorrister (Boissevain, Man.) of the Mayville State Comets was named to the All-North Star Athletic Association First Team. McCorrister led the Comets in average (.295), hits (59), doubles (18), home runs (7), RBIs (41) and slugging percentage (.510).

Perrett picks up two honours

In 16 appearances for the Northwestern Ohio Racers, Kyle Perrett (Sharon, Ont.) posted a 1-0 record with a 1.84 ERA over 14 2/3 innings pitched. Those numbers were good enough for him to be named a Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference First Team relief pitcher. He was also named to the WHAC All-Academic team.

Marks breaks school records

Jordan Marks (Brights Grove, Ont.) went six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts to earn the win as USC Upstate downed High Point 10-6 in Game 1 of their weekend series. The win, his ninth, gives him the most in a single season for the Spartans. The strikeouts he recorded moved his season total to 87, which is also the most in one campaign. He’s also won 20 games in his college career, which moves him into a tie with Scott Eckerd for first on the all-time list at the school. If all goes well, the right hander will have two chances to become the all-time wins leader in Spartans history as he will make two more starts, one each against Campbell and UNC Asheville.

Orenczuk a second teamer

The Rainy River Athletic Conference named their All-Conference teams last week and one of them featured a familiar name. Alex Orenczuk (London, Ont.) was named to the Second Team after hitting .339 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs for the LSU Alexandria Generals. Two of Orenczuk’s homers were grand slams.

Reyes an honourable mention

Matt Reyes (Vancouver, BC) was recognized as an All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honourable mention for his bat as a designated hitter. Reyes led the Yellowjackets with a .366 average, seven home runs, 13 doubles and 36 RBIs. He worked 30 walks and slugged at a .656 clip, which was top 15 in the conference.

Clay rewarded for his defence

Outfielder Matthew Clay (Port Moody, BC) was awarded a Cascade Collegiate Conference Gold Glove award for his defensive work for the College of Idaho. Clay was also one of nine selected to the CCC Gold Glove Team. He posted a .983 fielding percentage for the Yotes in 2021.

Angielski a Champion of Character

It was the way Kyle Angielski (Regina, Sask.) went about his business this season for Presentation College that got him noticed by the NAIA. Angielski was named a Champions of Character recipient for showcasing integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Pallottini brings home awards

When college coaches are recruiting, they look for players with character. Alex Pallottinni (Burlington, Ont.) of Lourdes University certainly fits that bill. Pallottinni was named to the Champions of Character Team for representing the five core values of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Oh, and he was also named to the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

Complete game for Bruins Chester, Scenic West’s best

With the NJCAA Division I Region 18 around the corner, Fynn Chester (Victoria, BC) made a final tune up starts for Salt Lake Community College. Chester chucked a complete game, nine-inning shutout against the College of Southern Nevada. The future Pittsburg Panther conceded three hits, walked one and struck out nine. He was named the Scenic West Pitcher of the Week for the impressive performance. The Bruins also locked down the regular season title by taking the series with the Coyotes 3-1.

Machibroda named LSC top hitter for the week

It appeared Nolan Machibroda (Saskatoon, Sask.) was chomping at the bit to get in the Lubbock Christian lineup after he watched his team lose Game 1 of their series with Oklahoma Christian. Machibroda hit his way to a 4-for-5 game with a two-run home run and a grand slam in a 23-13 win. In total, he drove in seven in the game. He chipped in a hit and was hit by a pitch in a 9-1 Game 3 win. The two game showing was so good it earned him Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week honours.

Cote named Region 3 Male Athlete of the Week

Cole Cote (Welland, Ont.) had six hits in seven at bats with a pair of walks, three RBIs and a stolen base as the Erie Community College Kats swept Cayuga in a best-of-three postseason series to move onto the NJCAA Division III Region 3 Final Four in Little Falls, NY this week. Erie took Game 1, 12-1 and Game 2 by an 11-10 score. In the clincher, Cote was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. These two games earned him the Region 3 Male Athlete of the Week.

Add two more stellar performances from Canadian Kats

Two other Canadians stepped up for Erie in their convincing sweep.

Carter Arbuthnot (Oshawa, Ont.) was 4-for-9 with a home run, a walk and five RBIs.

AJ Karosas (Mississauga, Ont.) went 5-for-9 with a RBI.

Borman hit three homers in final regular season series

University of Arkansas Monticello senior Dylan Borman (Camrose, Alta.) finished his final college regular season in style as he hit three home runs to help the Weevils take 2-of-3 from Southwestern Oklahoma State. Borman blasted a pair in a 12-10, Game 1 loss. Down 5-4 in the seventh inning of Game 2, he hit a solo shot to tie it in a game the Weevils would go on to win 6-5. The 6-foot-5 infielder had two hits in the game. In the rubber match, he went 2-for-4 with a walk, a RBI and a stolen base as his side took the game 19-14 to win the series. The three home runs moved his season total to 14.

Tweet wallops nine hits

Dawson Tweet (Russell, Man.) put the finishing touches on his regular season for Mesabi Range with nine hits, three walks, three RBIs and two stolen bases in a series with Hibbing. Tweet hit a home run in a 9-8, Game 3 win. The four games were split down the middle, with each team winning twice. Tweet also hopped on the mound in Game 2. He tossed 1 2/3 innings and gave up a run, a walk and struck out four. On the season he hit .429 with 18 stolen bases in 35 games played.

Cardoso has Beavers best average, Gallagher beats Bemidji State

Two Canadians stood out for the Minot State Beavers during their contests this past week.

Kaiden Cardoso (Abbotsford, BC) contributed five hits as the Minot State Beavers were 4-1 in the final week of the regular season. Cardoso also walked three time and drove in five, including a three-run home run in a 19-0 thumping of Minnesota Crookston in Game 2 of their series. He led the Beavers in average in 2021, as he hit at a .308 clip.

Blake Gallagher (Fredericton, NB) worked seven innings and surrendered two runs on four hits to lead the Beavers to a 4-3 win over Bemidji State. Gallagher walked a pair and punched out seven to earn the win.

Nixon busts out for Bronchos

Shane Nixon (Markham, Ont.) collected seven hits and three RBIs for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Nixon stroked three hits in a 9-0, Game 1 win over Northeastern State. He then left the yard for a solo shot in a 7-5 loss in Game 3.

Bourassa delivers win for the Dons

It wasn’t easy but Landen Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.) kept plugging away and picked up the win for San Francisco. Bourassa allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits in a 5-4 win in Game 1 against Saint Mary’s. The righty walked a pair and struck out five to improve to 6-2 for the Dons.

Achen strong, Blue Raiders win in extras

Cohen Achen (Calgary, Alta.) tossed nine innings of one-run ball as the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders beat Bethel 2-1 in extra innings in the opener of the Mid South Conference Tournament. Achen yielded five hits and the one run. He walked one and struck out five but was handed the no-decision. The Blue Raiders lost their next two and were eliminated. It was a good season for the right hander as he was 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA over 64 1/3 innings.

Brunner opens series with win

A four-game Region 16 series with Cloud County was all that stood between Barton College and the end of the regular season. Graham Brunner (Sherwood Park, Alta.) threw a complete game, seven innings to pluck the win and finish 7-2. Brunner scattered six hits and two runs (one earned) with two walks and seven strikeouts in the 10-2 win. Barton would go on to sweep the series.

Grandmont goes deep

Shawn Grandmont (Lethbridge, Alta.) played in all five of Northwest Nazarene’s games and had seven hits. Grandmont drove in six, stole a base and was hit by two pitches, His best effort came in the 14-4 loss, when he went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run and a stolen base.

Dutton deals for Yavapai

Declan Dutton (Vancouver, BC) rolled through six scoreless innings to best the Arizona Western Matadors. Dutton allowed five hits and a walk with three strikeouts for Yavapai. He finishes the regular season 3-2 with a 2.51 ERA over 43 innings.

McLaughlin records double digit strikeouts

The Blackhawks of Southeastern Community College got quite the start from Duncan McLaughlin (Dartmouth, NS). McLaughlin spun a complete game, seven-inning shutout in a 16-0 drubbing of Southwestern. Opposing hitters were limited to three hits and a walk. He struck out 10 to make quick work of the Spartans.

Fluet stands firm

Josh Fluet (White Rock, BC) pitched 6 1/3 innings and granted just an unearned run on two hits for Allen County in a 3-2, Game 2 win over Highland. Fluet walked one and struck out two in the start. The Red Devils ended up sweeping the series and finished the regular season slate on a seven-game winning streak.

Jackson fans 14

Striking people out and Corey Jackson (Calgary, Alta.) go together like cheese and wine. Jackson struck out another 14 in Bellevue’s 3-2 win over Waldorf in the second game of the North Star Athletic Conference Tournament. He threw eight innings, scattered seven hits, two runs and walked one. The win was his eighth of the season.

Chaput puts up three multi-hit games

Sam Chaput (Boisbriand, Que.) closed out the regular season on a high note for Emporia State. Chaput went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs in an 11-10 victory in Game 1 against Pittsburg State. During Game 2, he was 3-for-5 in an 11-4 win, before a 2-for-3 effort with a walk in a 9-7 loss in Game 3. Next up for the Hornets is a best-of-three series in the opening round of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association postseason with Central Missouri.

Palmegiani provides more power

Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC) chipped in six hits, two walks and six RBIs in four games for the College of Southern Nevada against Salt Lake Community College. In the finale, which was also the final game of the regular season, Palmegiani opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the first and then hit a grand slam in the third as part of a three-hit game in a 16-6 loss. The Coyotes dropped 3-of-4 but still finished the season 41-14. The Arizona Wildcat commit hit .401 in 55 games played, with 21 home runs, 68 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Hart strikes for seven hits

The Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament was upon Jameson Hart (Sarnia, Ont.) and the William Penn Statesmen. Through four games, Hart has seven hits, a walk two RBIs and a stolen base. His squad rattled off three straight wins after dropping the opener.

Ejoh gift Griffs with four knocks

Canice Ejoh (Toronto, Ont.) hammered four hits for the Seton Hill Griffins last week, including a solo home run in an 11-1, Game 3 drilling of Pitt-Johnstown. Ejoh worked a walk, drove in three and was hit by a pitch as the Griffins took all six contests. They finish the season 31-4 overall and 23-4 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. They head into the PSAC tournament winners of eight straight.

Stephan, Suraganan complete season strong

The Tigers of Marshalltown Community College dropped three of four, including a pair of postseason contests to bring their season to an end. Despite the disappointing finish, two Canadians had stellar final weeks.

Jackson Stephen (Cowichan Bay, BC) contributed six hits, two walks and three RBIs. Stephen slugged a home run in a 19-10 loss to Hutchinson in the first game.

Joel Suraganan (Pickering, Ont.) slapped seven hits, worked two walks and drove in one. Suraganan went an impressive 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and a RBI to come a home run shy of the cycle in the only win of the week, an 11-9 decision over Hutchinson.

Cratty comes up with key performances

After dropping Game 1 of their four-game set with Drury, Rhys Cratty (Langley, BC) and the Southwest Baptist Bearcats rallied for three straight wins to win the series. Cratty went 4-for-4 with a RBI in a 10-9 Game 2 win. Then after an RBI in a 5-0 win in Game 3, he amassed two hits and two walks in a tight 7-6 victory in Game 4.

Scott, Bryan College lose in championship game

Tyler Scott (Calgary, Alta.) stockpiled seven hits, walked three times, drove in three and stole a base to lead Bryan College all the way to the final of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament championship game. One of his better performances was in a 13-11 win over Reinhardt, were he collected three hits, including a solo home run to lead off the game and added two RBIs and a stolen base. Unfortunately for the Lions, they dropped the final to NAIA No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan.

Jones goes toe-to-toe with No. 25 Fairfield

The competition was stiff, but Alex Jones (Bowmanville, Ont.) gave the Niagara Purple Eagles a chance to win Game 2 of their series with No. 25 Fairfield. Jones allowed two runs on five hits over five innings of work, but the Purple Eagle offence could only put up one run in a 4-1 loss. The southpaw walked two and struck out six in his seventh appearance of the year.

Saul stellar for Sacramento State

Eli Saul (Vancouver, BC) tossed five innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with a strikeout for the Sacramento State Hornets in their 7-6 loss in Game 3 against California Baptist.

MacLeod victorious for sixth time

The final start of the regular season was a good one for Mason MacLeod (Winnipeg, Man.) as he threw a complete game in Itasca 7-3, Game 1 win over Vermilion. He allowed seven hits and three runs in the win. The sophomore walked one and struck out five to finish with 52 punch outs on the season. The righty owned a 2.47 ERA over 51 innings pitched on the year.

Hicks plays well

Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) enjoyed his time in the batter’s box last week as he pounded out seven hits, walked three times and drove in four. Against No. 9 Ole Miss in a midweek game, Hicks was 4-for-6 with a solo home run to open up the scoring but the RedWolves eventually fell 15-12.

Leitch leaves the yard against ranked opponent

Ryan Leitch (Whitby, Ont.) came out on fire for the Marshall Herd as they took on No. 19 Charlotte in a four-gamer. Leitch helped lead the offence with a 3-for-5 game and a RBI in a 7-5, Game 1 loss. Over the course of Game 2, one of his two hits was a three-run shot and he also walked.

Raiders can score runs

The offence for the Wright State Raiders is clicking on all cylinders right now. Tyler Black (Toronto, Ont.) put up seven knocks, walked twice, drove in five and stole three bases as the Raiders scored 50 runs and took their series with Milwaukee 3-1. Black’s best showing actually came in the one loss of the series when he swatted three hits and drove in a run in an 11-6 defeat in Game 2.

Sechopoulos hits safely in all three games

Ari Sechopoulos (Windsor, Ont.) started his week 2-for-5 with a RBI as the College of Charleston took their opener over William & Mary 9-4. Sechopoulos was even better in Game 2, as we went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs in a 10-1 win. He backed the offence with a hit in a 5-4 victory in Game 3 for the sweep.

Keller’s torrid season continues

One of the most consistent Canadians in college this season has been Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask) of the No. 8 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies. What was he up to last week? Keller supplied eight hits, four walks, six RBIs and a stolen base as the Griz went 4-0. The smooth swinging outfielder hit a home run in a 16-2 win over Fisher. Of his eight hits on the week, five were doubles. He also twice went 3-for-4, both against Fisher. Not a bad performance.

Ross beats up Beloit pitching

Spencer Ross (Mississauga, Ont.) of Lawrence University was 4-for-4 with a stolen base in a 14-3, Game 1 loss to Beloit. He completed the series with six hits in total.

Murciano with four-hit game

When a player has double the hits compared to games played, that’s pretty good. Noah Murciano (Richmond Hill, Ont.) had six hits and two RBIs as Sussex County turned in a 2-1 week. Murciano torched Monroe College-Bronx pitching for four hits and a RBI in a 7-1 win.

Barron whacks five hits

David Barron (Winnipeg, Man.) wrapped up this past week 5-for-11 with three walks, two RBIs and a stolen base for South Suburban.

Carinci starts hot, rides momentum

Six hits makes for a good week, let alone a game. Daniel Carinci (Toronto, Ont.) went 6-for-6 in Highland’s high-scoring 12-11 midweek win over Cloud County. They then took on Allen County for four and Carinci impacted the games with four more hits, a walk and a RBI.

Turcotte takes the ball in Game 4 for Seawolves

Sam Turcotte (Toronto, Ont.) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over six innings for the Stony Brook Seawolves in Game 4 of their series with the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Turcotte walked three and struck out five but was handed a no-decision as the Seawolves eventually dropped the contest 7-5.

Jones goes 4-for-10

A three-game series with Metropolitan was all that was on the docket for Ben Jones (Toronto, Ont.) and Mineral Area. Jones boasted two hits and a stolen base in a 9-7 win in Game 1. He mixed in a hit, two walks and a stolen base in a Game 2 loss. To close things out in the rubber match he slapped another hit and was issued a walk.

Roy bookends series with three hits

Ashton Roy (Sudbury, Ont.) of the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys was a sparkplug to the offence as he went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in a 19-5 win in Game 1 of his side’s series with Adams State. Roy bashed two hits and two RBIs in a 14-7, Game 2 win. He had a knock and was hit by a pitch in a convincing 16-2, Game 3 win. Game 4 saw the Cowboys secure the sweep with a 9-7 win behind a 3-for-3 game with a RBI from 5-foot-9 infielder.

Gernon supplies offence, Lower Columbia takes series

The opposing defence got their work chasing down balls of the bat of Daniel Gernon (Surrey, BC). Gernon clubbed seven hits, walked twice and drove in seven as Lower Columbia took three of a possible four games from Pierce. He put on a show in Game 4 as he hit a solo home run to open the scoring in the first. He then hit a three-run shot to put his team ahead 3-2 in the third. Despite the power display, it ended up being in the only loss of the series.

Edmands solid in four games

Dylan Edmands (Regina, Sask.) was an offensive threat all week for Arizona Western. Edmands struck for seven hits, four walks and five RBIs in four games. He contributed a 4-for-4 game with a RBI in a 6-5 win over Yavapai. The Matadors ended up with two wins and two losses.

Big two games for Burnett

The reinforcements were brought in when Lawson Burnett (London, Ont.) was inserted into the lineup for Northwoods in Games 3 and 4 against Parkside. Burnett clocked four hits, two RBIs and a stolen base as the Timberwolves won both by a combined 18-2 score. The senior, who is a St. Clair County Community College grad, posted a perfect 3-for-3 effort with two RBIs in the third game. Two of the four hits he collected were doubles.

Clarke a mainstay for CSUN Matadors

Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.) began his week with a 2-for-4 game with a walk and three RBIs as the Cal State Northridge Matadors beat the University of California Davis 10-6 in Game 1 of a four-game series. One of the hits was a two-run shot. Clarke had even more hits in an 11-5, Game 2 win, as he accumulated three hits, a walk and three RBIs. He again had three hits, this time with a walk and a stolen base in a 13-9 loss in Game 3. With the series win on the line, the former Junior National Team outfielder smashed a solo home run, walked and stole a base to guide his team to an 8-3 victory. So far in 2021, he owns a .360 average with eight home runs and 25 RBIs.

Pettener drives in seven

The offence was rolling for Rend Lake in a two-game sweep of Kaskaskia. Sean Pettener (Hamilton, Ont.) did his fair share of damage as swung the bat to the tune of five hits, a walk, seven RBIs and a pair of stolen bases.

Dorman whacked four hits, three doubles

Wyatt Dorman (Nanaimo, BC) put forth a four-hit series as Napa Valley took two of three from Laney. Dorman was hottest at the dish in Game 1 as he went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. All told, three of his hits on the week were doubles and he drove in four.

***

Mental toughness is key in the game of baseball and that will hold true the rest of the way in 2021. Many Canadians have been important pieces to their team each week. You can read all about the best performances each Wednesday right here in the BMOC.

Do you know someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column? Please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com. Please note our week runs Monday to Sunday.

Looking for even more coverage of Canadians in college baseball? Follow Matt Betts on Twitter at @Bettsy41.