May 25, 2022

BMOC Week 18

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

The majority of the Division I slate has concluded and many conference tournaments are underway. At other levels, teams are continuing to compete for championships. Canadians are right in the middle of all the action.

Coutney the Conference USA Player of the Year

In what should be a surprise to almost no one, Matt Coutney (Wetaskiwin, Alta.) has been named the Conference USA Player of the Year. Coutney led Old Dominion in batting average (.364), home runs (25), and OPS (1.274). He topped the conference in home runs and was fourth in batting average.

Last week to close the regular season, he had six hits, a walk and 10 RBIs. He swatted a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 1 against Western Kentucky that gave the Monarchs the lead in a 5-3 win. In Game 2, he hit a grand slam to open the scoring.

On top of everything, he was also named one of 39 semifinalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association Dick Howser Trophy, which is given to the National Player of the Year.

Grant MAAC’s top player

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has named infielder Max Grant (Fredericton, N.B.) their Player of the Year. Grant hit .400 with a 1.124 OPS for the Canisius Golden Griffins, which led the team. He also swatted eight home runs and drove in 46.

Rookie Consigli earns conference recognition

Bringing home two MAAC honours was freshman pitcher Peyton Consigli (Fonthill, Ont.). The reliever was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year and Relief Pitcher of the Year after putting up a 4-2 record with a 2.19 ERA over 20 appearances, one start, and 37 innings pitched.

Duffy an All-Rookie

Canisius hurler Aaron Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) was also named to the All-MAAC Rookie Team after putting together a 6.81 ERA over 10 starts and 38 1/3 innings.

Niles a third Griff Rookie Team selection

Josh Niles (St. Thomas, Ont.) is the third All-MAAC Rookie selection for Canisius. Niles hit .276 in 27 games. He made 17 starts for the Griffs.

Logan lands on First Team

Week 7 Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week Gavin Logan (Oyen, Alta.) has been named to the All-Pac 12 Conference First Team. The catcher hit .276 in 35 games, making 33 starts. He fielded a perfect 1.000.

McCabe makes First Team as DH

David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.) has been named to the All-Conference USA First Team as a designated hitter. McCabe hit .383 and popped 16 home runs in 39 games for the University of Charlotte.

Williams leads Bisons to sweep of Lions, earns Second Team nod

The 2022 season has been one to remember for Lipscomb Bison’s first baseman Malik Williams (Toronto, Ont.). The onetime Ontario Blue Jay closed it out in style with seven hits, a walk, five RBIs and a hit by pitch in a three-game sweep of North Alabama.

For his efforts, he has been selected to the All-ASUN Second Team. He is hitting .369 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs.

Cumiskey earns Second Team honours

Holden Cumiskey (Langley, BC) of the Cuesta College Cougars, was named to the All-Western State Conference Second Team. Cumiskey pounded out 50 hits for a .307 average and 48 RBI in 2022.

Nicoll named to All-GAC Second Team, helps Southern Arkansas sweep way to Super Regional

Three wins in three games earned the Southern Arkansas Muleriders a spot in the NCAA Division II Super Regionals. Brandon Nicoll (Coombs, BC) went 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs in a 12-11 opening game win over Washburn. Next up was Henderson State and the Muleriders put them away by a 28-5 score. Nicoll was 3-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double, a triple, a walk, three RBIs and was hit by a pitch in the blowout win. To clinch their berth in the Super Regional, Nicoll powered his team with a 2-for-5 performance that included a grand slam and five RBIs in a 12-11 victory over Henderson State.

Nicoll’s first season at Southern Arkansas has been a resounding success. He currently owns a .332 batting average, 13 home runs, 76 RBIs and a 1.025 OPS. Those numbers landed him on the All-Great American Conference Second Team.

Mendham wraps up regular season, earns Honourable Mention

The No. 8 team in the nation, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and their Canadian David Mendham (Dorchester, Ont.) played their final three games of the regular season against Baylor over the weekend. Mendham went 2-for-6 with two RBIs in a 13-11 Game 1 loss, 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in an 11-5 Game 2 win, and 2-for-4 with walk and an RBI in a 9-5 series clinching victory.

For his strong performance this season, Mendham was selected as a All-Big 12 Conference Honourable Mention.

Johnston flashes the leather, earns recognition

Infielder Ryan Johnston (Oakville, Ont.) earned a spot on the All-Mid American Conference Defensive Team for his .975 fielding percentage.

Johnson, Wilkinson off to DI Juco World Series

Two Canadians are headed to Grand Junction, Colorado for the NJCAA Division I College World Series with Central Arizona College. Tyrese Johnson (Calgary, Alta.) and Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, BC) are both members of the team.

During the Western District Final, Johnson collected 12 hits, two walks, six RBIs and a stolen base as his side punched their ticket to the World Series.

Four Crowder Canadians headed to Juco World Series

When Crowder College shows up in Grand Junction, Colorado for the NJCAA Division I College World Series they will be accompanied by four Canadians. Infielder/outfielder Kenny DiClemente (Oakville, Ont.), C Tyler Favretto (Montreal, Que.), catcher Adam Stornello (Montreal, Que.), and outfielder Kaden Zarowney (Strathmore, Alta.) are all members of the Roughriders.

Zeppieri hopes to help McLennan repeat

Reigning NJCAA Division I College World Series champion McLennan Community College will have Canadian Mateo Zeppieri (Newmarket, Ont.) on their side when they go for a back-to-back titles.

Canadian catcher heads to World Series

As you can tell Canadians will be well represented at the DI Juco World Series. Matys Gagnon (Montreal, Que.) is on the roster of Cowley Community.

Southeastern looks to catch fire at World Series

Canadian outfield duo Zach Diewart (Chemainus, BC) and Clayton Keyes (Edmonton, Alta.) are off to the NAIA World Series with the Southeastern University Fire.

Sirois, Bruins ready for World Series

Mathieu Sirois (Quebec City, Que.) and the No. 6 Bellevue Bruins won their Opening Round Tournament to earn a spot in the NAIA World Series. Sirois went 5-for-14.

Two Canadians fly with Faulkner to NAIA World Series

A pair of Canadians are headed to the NAIA World Series with the Faulkner Eagles. Right-handed pitcher Nicholas Graham (Abbotsford, BC) and infielder Tommy Reyes-Cruz (Montreal, Que.) are on the team.

Helland headed to World Series

Right-hander Reece Helland (Moose Jaw, Sask.) is a member of the Mid-America Christian team that will compete at the NAIA World Series.

Tennessee Wesleyan hope to bring bulldog mentality to Lewiston

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Bloor (Lethbridge, Alta.), catcher Evan Magill (Ajax, Ont.) and infielder Chad Picton (Winnipeg, Man.) are all members of the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs that will play for an NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.

NCCC headed to DIII World Series

The Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves and their nine Canadians are headed to the NJCAA Division III College World Series after winning the Region III. Infielder Carter Arbuthnot (Oshawa, Ont.), right-handed pitcher Andrew Bench (Fonthill, Ont.), outfielder Marc Brisson (St. Albert, Alta.), catcher Matthew Ferris (Vaughan, Ont.), right-hander Will Jackman (Niagara Falls, Ont.) RHP Hayden Rhody (Thorsby, Alta.), outfielder Jaberi Smith (Pickering, Ont.), right-handed pitcher/shortstop Owen Stevenson (Whitby, Ont.) and outfielder Chris Tani (Oakville, Ont.) are all members of the Thunderwolves.

Bushey named to two teams

A .427 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage, and a .637 slugging percentage landed Liam Bushey (Mission, BC) on the All-Missouri Community College Athletic Conference Team and the All-Region 16 Team.

Buckle one of Central Region’s best

Declan Buckle (Cornerbrook, Nfld.), of the Minot State Beavers, was selected to the All-Central Region Second Team. He led the Beavers with a .365 batting average and posted a 1.003 OPS.

Ferris named First Team All-Region

Matthew Ferris (Vaughan, Ont.) picked up All-Region First Team honours after putting up a .344 average in 37 games played for Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves.

Karosas picks up pair of honours

Erie Community College closed the season with a 43-12-1 record after a pair of losses in the Region III Final Four. AJ Karosas (Mississauga, Ont.) was named to the Division III All-Region III Second Team and the All0West Division Team thanks to a .340 average in 50 games played.

DiLuca a Second Teamer

Lucas DiLuca (LaSalle, Ont.) is an All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team selection. He hit .317 in 52 games and fielded at a .973 clip in the infield.

Duffy sets single-season strikeout record

Former Great Lake Canadians right-hander Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.) punched out 10 over seven scoreless innings of work for Canisius in their 8-0 Game 2 win over Monmouth. Duffy surrendered just four hits. The strikeouts gave him 105 on the season, which surpasses the previous single-season record of 99. Duffy concludes the regular season 6-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 87 2/3 innings.

UBC Thunderbirds season comes to an end

It was a great run by the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds this season, but it finally came to an end with a loss in the NAIA Opening Round championship game to Lewis-Clark State.

Noah Or (Vancouver, BC) put together 11 hits, four walks and eight RBIs in six games. He hit a three-run home run in a 7-4 win over Vanguard in Game 3.

Devine delivers in season finale

Liam Devine (Guelph, Ont.) found his way into the ninth inning in St. Bonaventure’s 5-3 season finale loss to Saint Joseph’s. Devine allowed three runs on four hits with a pair of walks and six strikeouts. Saint Joseph’s plated four in the ninth to take the win.

Landry wins in relief

Southpaw Nathan Landry (Victoriaville, Que.) supplied six innings of relief for the Missouri Tigers in a 10-3 Game 2 win over No. 25 Georgia. Landry gave up two runs on three hits and struck out seven to pick up the win.

Chester goes the distance in win

Righty Fynn Chester (Victoria, BC) threw a complete game shutout in Cal State Fullerton’s 3-0 Game 3 win over Long Beach State. Chester scattered three hits and struck out three over the nine innings of work.

Feuerstake with seven hits as McPherson falls in Opening Round

Caleb Feuerstake (Waterdown, Ont.) had a hit and a RBI in McPherson’s 13-6 loss to Webber International in the first game of the NAIA Opening Round. During a 15-9 Game 2 win over Middle Georgia State, he went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and was it by a pitch. The season came to an end at the hands of St. Thomas. The Watertown District High School grad was 2-for-4 with a walk and a RBI in the 5-4 loss. He finishes up the season with a .398 average, seven home runs, 47 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

Johnston goes deep twice

Infielder Ryan Johnston (Oakville, Ont.) turned heads in games 1 and 2 of Bowling Green’s series with Northern Illinois. Johnston went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer, a walk, and two stolen bases in an 8-4 win, before going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 14-6 Game 2 loss.

Marcus closes regular season with four hits

Spencer Marcus (Chatham-Kent, Ont.) pounded out four hits, walked once, drove in two and was hit by a pitch in Niagara’s three-game sweep of Quinnipiac.

Turino triggers Billikens offence

Matt Turino (Toronto, Ont.) began St. Louis’ series with Dayton by hitting a pair of solo home runs and finishing 4-for-5 with four RBIs in a 12-8 victory. Turino was 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a hit by pitch in a 6-1 Game 2 loss. He chipped in a hit and two walks as the Billikens took Game 3 by a 7-2 score.

Leitch laces seven hits

Catcher Ryan Leitch (Whitby, Ont.) has been a steady presence in the middle of Marshall’s lineup all season and it continued in the final week. Leitch stroked seven hits and drove in three in four games. He swatted a solo home run in an 8-6 Game 1 loss to Florida Atlantic. He rounded the bases again thanks to a solo shot in an 11-1 Game 3 loss.

Grant closes year with four hits

Logan Grant (Chestermere, Alta.) amassed four hits, a walk and three RBIs as Bismarck State dropped a pair to Kirkwood to end their season. Grant hit his 10th and final home run of the campaign in a 5-3 Game 2 loss.

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May 16 to 22 was another week full of big wins, strong performances and personal recognition. As the games progress, a fewer number of teams remain standing. But for those that do, Canadians are having a meaningful impact.

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 Canadian baseball coverage all season long.