January 26, 2022

BMOC Week 1

By: Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

It’s been 210 days since the Mississippi State Bulldogs claimed their first College World Series with a 9-0 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores, officially ending the 2021 season.

While the Division I season is just under a month away from opening day, other divisions got their seasons started this past week.

Check out the top Canadian performances below.

Canadians pitching in for Pioneers

A trio of Canadians made appearances on the mound for the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers on opening weekend.

Colby Ring (Langley, BC) was the first to appear in their series with Bethesda University of California when he was summoned from the bullpen in Game 1. The southpaw surrendered one run on three hits over three innings. He walked one and stuck out a pair in a convincing 19-1 win.

Kyle Poapst (Lethbridge, Alta.) made the start in Game 2. Poapst lasted three innings and gave up two runs (one earned), on four hits. He walked four and struck out one.

It was Canadian teammate Shaun Atamanchuk (Beaumont, Alta.) who was first out of the bullpen in Game 2 to relieve his fellow countryman. The sophomore right hander spun four innings and allowed one run on one hit, with three walks and three punch outs. The Pioneers took the game 6-4.

Lichty lights up opposing pitchers

Daniel Lichty (London, Ont.) wasted no time making a dent in the boxscore for the Huntington University Foresters. In four games to open the season, Lichty collected seven hits, walked twice and drove in four runs. His most impressive game came in the season opener. During a 14-10, 10-inning win over NAIA No. 23 Benedictine University at Mesa, he finished a home run short of the cycle going 4-for-7 with a pair of RBIs.

Sexton stymies Embry-Riddle

Conall Sexton (Abbotsford, BC) had himself a fine start to the 2022 campaign. The San Diego Christian hurler worked five innings, giving up one run on a pair of hits. He walked two and struck out two along the way. Unfortunately for Sexton and the Hawks, Embry-Riddle would come away with a 9-3 victory.

Preseason honours

A pair of Canadians were named to Preseason All-Conference teams:

Bryce Arnold (Grimsby, Ont.) is coming off a freshman season in 2021 that saw him hit .324 with six home runs, 39 RBIs, 56 runs and nine stolen bases. He has been named to the All-Big South Conference Team prior to the start of the season February 18.

David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.) was also a freshman in 2021 and his 14 home runs paced the entire Charlotte 49ers roster. Combine that with a .338 average, 35 RBIs and a 1.135 OPS and it should come as no surprise he’s been named to the Preseason All-Conference USA team.

Rank ‘em

Baseball America recently came out with their NCAA Division I Top 25 which featured six Canadians among the ranked teams.

No. 11 Oregon State

The Beavers open the year as the No. 11 team in the country according to BA. Outfielder Micah McDowell (Halifax, NS), catcher Gavin Logan (Oyen, Alta.) and utility man Justin Thorsteinson (Langley, BC) will try to help OSU win their fourth College World Series, and first since 2018.

No. 19 Oklahoma State

Lose one Canadian Cowboy, add another. That’s what Oklahoma State did when they lost senior catcher Max Hewitt (Midhurst, Ont.) and dipped into the transfer portal to pick up infielder David Mendham (Dorchester, Ont.). Mendham spent 2021 as a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks, hitting .243 with five home runs and 28 RBIs over 54 games.

No. 20 Nebraska

Freshman Core Jackson (Wyoming, Ont.) is set for his first college season and it comes with high expectations as the Huskers begin the campaign as the No. 20 team in the country. They’re coming off a 34-14 season and a loss in the Fayetteville Regional final to host Arkansas. They’ll open up 2022 on the road with a four-game set at Sam Houston State.

No. 24 Old Dominion

The 2021 season ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Old Dominion Monarchs when they lost in the Regional final to Virginia in extra innings. But that shouldn’t take away from the fact they went an impressive 44-16 and took home the Conference USA crown. Senior infielder Matt Coutney (Edmonton, Alta.) will be out to take care of some unfinished business in 2022 and it all gets started with a three-game set versus Iona February 18 to February 20.

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Is it ever great to be back. Canadians are already starting to make an impact across college baseball and we have you covered all season long. Make sure to come back next week for even more highlights as the season picks up steam.

Do you know of a player deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column? Email Matt Betts at mattbetts@canadianbaseballnetwork.com. Please note that our week runs Monday-Sunday.

Be sure to follow Matt Betts at @Bettsy41 for extensive college baseball coverage all season long.