June 15, 2021

BMOC Week 20

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Three Canadians are headed to Omaha for the Division I College World Series.

While five Canadians took part in the Division II College World Series that wrapped up last week.

Let’s take a trip around the college baseball scene in Week 20 of the BMOC.

Davis, Dores off to Omaha

For the second year in a row, excluding the 2020 COVID shortened campaign, Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.) the No. 4 Vanderbilt Commodores are headed to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. They got there by winning their best-of-three Super Regional 2-0 over East Carolina. It’s worth mentioning the Commodores are going for their second straight CWS after winning it all in 2019. They’ll start their quest for a repeat against Arizona on Saturday.

Cavaliers headed to College World Series

It was tense, but the Virginia Cavaliers bounced back from a Game 1 loss to Dallas Baptist in their Super Regional to win two straight and earn a spot in Omaha. Marc Lebreux (Montreal, Que.) has played in 41 games for the Cavaliers in 2021. The last time the Cavs were at TD Ameritrade Park, they won it all in 2015. They get the Volunteers of Tennessee to open up the College World Series.

Omadawgs back in the big dance

The atmosphere at Dudey Noble Field in Starkville, Mississippi was nothing short of electric for the Super Regional between the No. 7 Mississippi State Bulldogs and Notre Dame. The series went the distance with the Bulldogs eventually coming out on top. They now head to Omaha for the third straight year. Joining them will be right handed flamethrower Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.). Cerantola has made 10 appearances, four of which were starts this season. The Bulldogs will tangle with Texas in Game 1.

Kauffeldt recognized by Empire 8

Jason Kauffeldt (Oshawa, Ont.) was named to the All-Empire 8 Conference Second Team. Kauffeldt batted .256 this season over 34 games for the Highlanders. He also accumulated a pair of home runs, 30 RBIs and was 18-for-20 in stolen base attempts.

Angelo State goes 2-2 to conclude season

The No. 10 Angelo State Rams time in Cary, N.C., for the NCAA Division II College World Series started well as they won back-to-back games over eventual champion No. 16 Wingate and No. 4 Seton Hill. However, they then dropped two straight to Wingate to see their season come to an end. Two Canadians had a big impact on the Rams time at the national championship.

Nick Seginowich (Victoria, BC) went 7-for-17 with three walks and six RBIs. Seginowich was 3-for-4 with a walk and four RBIs in the Rams 9-4 win over Seton Hill. The very next game he put together another 3-for-4 performance, this time with a walk, in a 5-4 walk off loss to Wingate.

In 50 games played in 2021, Seginowich hit .331 with 9 home runs, 58 RBIs and a 1.046 OPS.

Mat Szabo (Sarnia, Ont.) got the start against Seton Hill and lasted 4 2/3 innings. Szabo surrendered two runs on three hits with a trio of walks and seven strikeouts.

Over 13 appearances and six starts this season, Szabo held a record of 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

Grandmont hits in D2 College World Series

A 9-3 loss to No. 2 Central Missouri, a 9-3 win over No. 21 Trevacca Nazarene and a 5-2 loss to No. 13 Tampa was how the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks College World Series appearance concluded. Shawn Grandmont (Lethbridge, Alta.) collected three hits, including a double and a triple, to go along with a walk and a stolen base in the three games. Grandmont, an All-West Region Second Team selection in 2021, finished his season hitting .315 with 10 home runs and 58 RBIs over 45 games.

Ejoh has a hit in all three games of DII CWS

Graduate student Canice Ejoh (Brampton, Ont.) posted a 2-for-3 game with a pair of RBIs as Seton Hill beat No. 14 Southern New Hampshire 4-3 in Game 1 of the DII College World Series. Against Angelo State in their next game, Ejoh chipped in a hit, a walk and a RBI in the 9-4 loss. The Griffins season would end due to a 5-1 loss to Wingate in Game 3. The outfielder had a hit in what was their final game of the season.

Lepard makes appearance in DII College World Series

Taylor Lepard (Toronto, Ont.) provided 2 2/3 innings of relief in Southern New Hampshire’s Game 2 loss to Wingate in the DII College World Series. Lepard, who didn’t give up a hit, allowed a run, a walk and struck out two. The loss eliminated the Penman from the tournament. Over 25 1/3 innings in 2021, Lepard had a couple of saves and a 4.62 ERA.

Sabiston a Scholar-Athlete selection

Each year the Lone Star Conference gives out its Scholar-Athlete award to one male and one female athlete at each member institution. In order to be eligible, the athlete must have participated in their sport for at least two years and be a member of the graduating class. Right-handed pitcher Liam Sabiston (Calgary, Alta.) received the award as the Eastern University of New Mexico male athlete. Sabiston made 14 appearances, including one start on the mound for the Greyhounds, and tossed 29 2/3 innings.

William Jessup’s McElwain excels on the field and in the classroom

Dustin McElwain (Richmond, BC) was named an All-Golden State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete. McElwain played in 21 games for the Warriors and hit .293. In order to be selected to this list, the athlete must be at least a sophomore and hold a minimum 3.50 GPA.

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All eyes will be on Omaha the next couple of weeks. Every other level of college baseball has closed the chapter on the 2021 season. Make sure to pay attention to the Canadian Baseball Network for news and updates on how the three Canadians fair on the brightest stage.

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.