Big Man On Campus Week VII

By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
Another week of college baseball has passed with many exciting moments. Canadians had plenty to do with their teams success as the slate heats up. Below is a list of the top performers from Week VII of the season.

Wark garners Pitcher of the Week honour

Jackson Wark (St. Albert, Alta.) surrendered just two hits over seven scoreless innings to lead the St. Louis Billikens to a 4-0 win over Chicago State in Game 3 of their series. Walk walked one and struck out 10 as he picked up his second win of the season. He was so good that the Atlantic 10 conference named him Pitcher of the Week.

Wilson with a week to remember, named Player of the Week

All Zac Wilson (New Lowell, Ont.) has done is hit for Davenport University. Wilson went 16-for-36, good for a .457 average as he lead his team to five wins. He had seven multi-hit games including a two home run performance in a 10-8 win over Minnesota State Mankato. He finished with three home runs, 11 RBIs, four walks and four stolen bases. Wilson also picked up conference honours as he was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week. He currently leads Davenport with a .460 average and has 4 home runs and 15 RBIs in 12 games. He owns a .518 on-base percentage and an impressive .800 slugging percentage.

McLaren named to Johnny Bench Award Watch list

University of Pittsburgh Panther catcher Cole McLaren (Morell, PEI) was named to the 2018 Johnny Bench Award Watch List. The award, named after the Hall of Fame catcher, is given to the top Division I catcher each year. McLaren is one of 97 catchers named to the list. The Colby Community College transfer currently owns a .993 fielding percentage.

Bumstead bashes way to nine hits

Nolan Bumstead (Calgary, Alta.) started his week with a 3-for-4 game with two home runs and rode that performance to a strong week for Cal State Northridge. He hit a three-run shot and added a two-run blast in an 8-1 win to open the week versus Cal State Bakersfield. He went 3-for-4 with two walks in a 14-13 Matadors win over Valparaiso. They lost their first and only game of the week against Grand Canyon falling 13-8. Bumstead went 2-for-5 with a RBI in that game. They then took down Grand Canyon 4-1 with help from a hit, a hit by pitch and a RBI from Bumstead. The Matadors closed the week with a 6-5 win over Valparaiso. Bumstead currently sits second on the team in average, hitting at a .405 clip. The Matadors have a midweek contest with the University of Las Vegas Nevada before a three-game set with Pepperdine.

Moore picks up first win

Wesley Moore (Surrey, BC) picked up his first collegiate win as he helped pitch Cal State Northridge to a 4-1 win over Grand Canyon. The lefty worked five innings, giving up three hits, one run, three walks and striking out three in the victory. Moore represented Canada last summer at the World Baseball Softball Confederation 18U World Cup in Thunder Bay.

McKillican takes down No. 1 Warriors

The University of British Columbia dropped 3-of-4 to No. 1 Lewis Clark State but Adam McKillican (Courtenay, BC) was outstanding in the lone win. McKillican worked seven innings of one run baseball  to lead the Thunderbirds to a 5-1 win in Game 2 of the series. He scattered three hits, walked two and struck out five to move to 2-0 on the year.

Julien goes deep twice for Tigers

Freshman Edouard Julien (Quebec City, Que.) hit a three-run home run, the first of his collegiate career and drove in all four runs for the Auburn Tigers in their 4-3 series opening win over Brigham Young University. He then hit a pinch-hit grand slam in Game 2, a 21-4 Auburn win. The Tigers swept the three-game series from BYU by winning Game 3, 9-5. Julien was a member of Team Canada that participated in the 18U World Cup last summer.

Goshen goes 3-4

It was a week filled with inconsistency for Goshen College. Ryan Hartig (Woodstock, Ont.) was an exception to that. The Maple Leafs started with a loss and alternated wins and losses and ended the week with a 3-4 record. Hartig had 10 hits for the Maple Leafs including three, two hit games. He also drove in four runs, walked twice and stole a base.

Former Wesmen a standout for Jamestown

It was a tough pill to swallow for the players of the University of Winnipeg when the program ceased operations. Drake Pilat (Winnipeg, Man.) is making the most of his time away from his hometown at Jamestown University. He continued to hit last week as the Jimmies went 6-1 which included a convincing 15-6 win over No. 16 Tabor College. Pilat went 3-for-4 twice and had two hits in three other games. He finished the week with 13 hits, five walks and seven RBIs.

Canadian pair continues to shine

Dany Paradis-Giroux (Lavis, Que.) and Taran Oulton (St. Albert, Alta.) have been spectacular for William Woods University and that didn’t change during their last outings. Oulton tossed a complete game, seven innings in a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the Owls series with Central Baptist. He scattered six hits, two runs and two walks in the outing. He also struck out four to deliver the win. 

Paradis-Giroux took the ball in Game 3 and went six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and struck out five. 

Oulton is 4-1 with a 1.13 ERA, while Paradis-Giroux is 5-0 sparkling 0.88 ERA so far in 2018.

Swift back at it

William Jessup currently own a 22-5 record and that is in large part because of Austen Swift (Toronto, Ont.). After walking in an 11-6 Game 1 win over Menlo, Swift went 4-for-5 with a solo home run to lead his team to a 13-8 Game 2 win. He finished the series with a hit in Game 3 as the Warriors completed the sweep.

Bourassa picks up second win

Landon Bourassa (Lethbridge, Alta.) went seven innings and gave up three hits and a run as he helped the University of San Francisco Dons to a 4-1 win over the University of California Riverside. Bourassa walked four and struck out nine to improve his record to 2-1. 

Dressler dazzles in UTSA win

Steven Dressler (Burlington, Ont.) came within an out of a complete game as the University of Texas San Antonio downed McNeese State 5-2 in Game 2 of their series. Dressler threw 8 2/3 innings, scattering six hits and two runs. He walked just one and struck out four for the  Roadrunners.

Brookman has seven knocks

After not playing in the first game for Seminole State (Oklahoma), Archer Brookman (Pointe-Claire, Que.) went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs in a 9-0 thumping of Oklahoma Christian JV. He had another two hits and two RBIs in a 35-18 slugfest loss in Game 1 of a series with Connors State. He didn’t play in a Game 2 loss but went 3-for-3 with four RBIs in Game 3, a 10-5 win. Brookman also suited up for Canada at the 2018 WBSC 18U World Cup.

Koroneos a key contributor for Penn State Harrisburg

Penn State Harrisburg used six hits from Zachary Koroneos (Toronto, Ont.) en route to a series win over Washington and Lee. Koroneos’ best game came in Game 2 when he went 3-for-4 with a RBI.

Canadian crew leads Colby

Colby Trojans went 4-1 on the week including taking 3-of-4 in a series with Hutchinson Community College, dropping only the opener. Andy Leader (Kitchener, Ont.) pounded out eight hits including a 3-for-4 game with three RBIs in Game 2 against Hutchinson, a game Colby won 10-3. He also had a four hit game in the finale that featured a pair of home runs and four RBIs 

Drake Kirkwood (Calgary, Alta.) went 5-for-10 with a walk. He drove in seven on the week.

Matt Coutney (Edmonton, Alta.) got the game off in a 12-2 win versus McCook. He was pencilled back into the lineup in Game 1 against Hutchinson and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run. He had a hit, two walks and a RBI in Game 2 followed by a two hit, two RBI Game 3 performance. He finished the week with a home run and a walk in the final game of the series.

Bryce Fraser (Lethbridge, Alta.) went eight innings, giving up eight hits and two runs in Game 1 against Hutchinson. He walked just one and struck out six but Colby dropped the contest 3-2.

Ryan Morgan (St. Johns, Nfld.) made two starts and picked up two wins. He went three innings in picking up his first win, allowing three hits, two runs (one earned) with a walk and three strikeouts against McCook. His next start came in Game 3 against Hutchinson. He went 4 2/3 innings in the 5-1 win. He surrendered five hits and won run. He walked three, struck out five   and improved his record to 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA.

Logan Hofmann (Muenster, Sask.) tossed a complete game seven innings in his start against Hutchinson. He gave up five hit, three runs (two earned) with just a single walk in their Game 2 win. He struck out 10 and his record now stands at 2-1. 

Jahnke takes off for Jets

Daniel Jahnke (Saskatoon, Sask.) played a key role in the Newman Jets’ series split with Wayne State. Jahnke had two hits, two walks and two RBIs in a convincing 21-3 Game 1 win. Jahnke had a hit and was hit by a pitch but Wayne State took Game 2 by a 12-2 score. Game 3 also went the way of Wayne State but Jahnke did have a hit and two RBIs. The Jets took the finale to salvage a series split and Jahnke was a big contributor going 3-for-5 with three doubles and two RBIs.

Stevenson shines despite tough week for East Central

It was a downright ugly week for the East Central University Tigers as they went 0-4 and were outscored 77-20 over a midweek contest with Southern Arkansas and a weekend series with Southwestern Oklahoma State. There was something to take away though as Connor Stevenson (Keswick, Ont.) had seven hits, including two solo home runs. He drove in four of the Tigers 20 runs.

Depiero gets first W

He was given the ball in the final game of the week and DJ Depiero (Thunder Bay, Ont.) pitched Indian Hills to a win. Depiero tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk. He struck out five in an 8-0 win over Shawnee Community College

Jafine goes six scoreless

Adam Jafine (Toronto, Ont.) went six scoreless but it wasn’t enough as Charleston University dropped a 3-2 decision to Pitt-Johnstown. The opposition could muster only two hits off Janine as he issued only two walks and struck out. 

Clark starts, finishes strong

A home run is always a good way to start a week. Shane Clark (Kitchener, Ont.) went deep for Missouri Valley in their 3-0 win over Hannibal-LaGrange. He finished the week with a 3-for-4 game in a 5-0 loss to Warner. 

Kennedy wins for Canisius

Jared Kenndy (Calgary, Alta.) worked five scoreless innings of relief and the Canisius Golden Griffin offence exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth as the Griffs downed Campbell 9-5. Kennedy allowed just two hits and four walks in the victory. He struck out seven Fighting Camel batters.

Price provides offence, Potter appears twice

It was a successful week for the Allen County Community College Red Devils as they went 7-1 and are now 12-2 on the season. Dylan Price (Victoria, BC) had eight hits in seven games played. He went 3-for-4 with a home run in a 16-6 Game 3 win over North Central Missouri. He hit another home run in Game 4 which also ended in a Red Devil triumph. Jacob Potter (Victoria, BC) threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, walking three and striking out three in a 14-10 win over North Central Missouri. He was back on the bump in Game 2 of the Red Devils series with Labette going four more scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just a one hit with a walk and five punch outs on his way to the win.

Gauthier a dual threat

David Gauthier (Mont Sainte-Hilaire, Que.) use his arm and his bat to help Trinidad State to four wins. He tossed a complete game shutout in a 12-2 lashing of McCook. He only had to work five innings to pick up the win. He allowed three hits and struck out three along the way. He also had six hits, three walks, eight RBIs and a stolen base. He hit two home runs in the five games, including one in the game he pitched. 

Cienfuegos does double duty for Raiders

There was no relaxing for Miguel Cienfuegos (Laval, Que.) of the Northwest Florida State. In their 13-1 drubbing of Lurleen B. Wallace Cienfuegos threw five scoreless innings and picked up the win. He also went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in the victory. He continued to swing a hot bat throughout the Raiders series with Shelton State. In Game 1, a 10-1 win, he had two hits, two RBIs and swiped a base. After recording a hit and a walk in a Game 2 loss, he went 2-for-5 with another home run and two RBIs as the Raiders took 2 of a possible three wins in the series.

Latimer with six hits in three games

Matt Latimer (Georgetown, Ont.) didn’t play in Games 1 or 2 of Trinity International’s series with The Apprentice School but he made an impact in Games 3 and 4. In Game 3, an 8-0 loss he went 2-for-2. He then went 2-for-4 with a double in Game 4. He rounded out his week with a 2-for-4 game with a RBI in a 12-2 loss to No. 21 St. Thomas University.

Myers an on-base machine

Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.) reached base 15 times for Wabash Valley and Warriors went a perfect 6-0 on the week. He had five hits, including a grand slam in a 22-4 Game 1 win over Southwestern Community College. Myers also homered in Game 3 of the series. He walked 10 times, including four times in the first game of the week and drove in ten. He also stole three bases to compliment his impressive week.

Hyland, Krzeminski rally Reivers offence

Two Canadians had nice weeks for the Iowa Western Reivers. Kobe Hyland (Spruce Grove, Alta.) went 6-for-12 with five RBIs and a 1.121 OPS and Gibson Krzeminski (Tecumseh, Ont.) went 6-for-14 with four walks and seven RBIs as the Reivers went 6-0.

Complete Game win for Donnell

Ben Donnell (Oakville, Ont.) threw a complete game, seven innings to lead Mid America Christian to a 5-3 win over Oklahoma City. He gave up five hits, three runs (one earned), walked two and struck out three.

Hendra-Brown hits in all four

Linfield played four games and Alex Hendra-Brown (Victoria, BC) had at least one hit in each. In Game 3 of their series with George Fox, a 4-3 loss, Hendra-Brown hit a double. In an 8-6 win in Game 1 of their series with Pacific Lutheran he went 4-for-5 with two more doubles and a RBI. Winfield dropped Game 2 but Hendra-Brown went 2-for-4 with another double. In a Game 4, 1-0 win, he had a hit, a walk and a RBI.

Fitzgerald gives opposition fits

Connor Fitzgerald (Carleton Place, Ont.) had eight hits for Davis and Elkins. In those eight hits were two multi-hit games.

Willow wows with strong week

McPherson College certainly enjoyed the offensive production they received from Evan Willow (Victoria, BC). Willow went 2-for-5 with a RBI in a 20-4 win ower Central Christian. He followed it up with a 3-for-6 games with a two-run home run in a Game 1, 15-4 win over Southwestern College. In Game 2 he had three hits again in an 18-17 loss. In Game 3, a 9-5 win he went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and he was hit by a pitch.

Szabo helps shut down No. 21

Young Harris had a successful week taking their series with No. 21 University of North Carolina Pembroke. Mat Szabo (Sarnia, Ont.) picked up the win in Game 2. He worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, and three runs (two earned). He walked two and struck out eight to get his record to 2-1.

Rousseau rakes for Mid America Nazarene

JP Rousseau (Montreal, Que.) had two, two hit games and six hits in all for Mid America Nazarene last week. He drove in four runs as his team went 4-3.

Graff-Rowe the man for the Mules

The week started strong for Justin Graff-Rowe (Waterloo, Ont.) when he went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a hit by pitch in Game 3 of Central Missouri’s series with Western Missouri. The Mules won the game 15-10. Graff-Rowe had a hit, was hit by two pitches and drove in two runs in a 14-2 blasting of William Jewell. He had a hit in each of Games 1 and 2 of their series with Washburn and finished the series with a hit, three walks and a stolen base in Game 3. The Mules took the series 2-1.

Kafes with a two home run game

Kosta Kafes (Brampton, Ont.) of Alderson Broaddus had a solo home run and a three run home run in a 12-10 win over Lock Haven. He had seven hits on the week and is hitting .333 in eight games in 2018.

King uses bat, speed

Indian Hills Justin King (Okotoks, Alta.) went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs in an 8-0 win over Milwaukee Area Technical College. King had another hit in a 3-2 loss to Southeastern in Indian Hills second game. He went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBIs in a rematch with Southeastern, a game Indian Hills won 5-3. In an 8-0 win over Shawnee King hit another triple and drove in two more runs.

Duncan hits .437

Tyler Duncan (Sooke, BC) had seven hits in 16 at bats for Crowder College. He walked six times and posted a 1.108 OPS.

Libke wins twice

Jared Libke (Saskatoon, Sask.) picked up his first and second wins of the season for the Arkansas Monticello Boll Weevils. His first came in a 19-9 win over Southeastern Oklahoma when he went 3 1/3 innings and gave up one hit and a run. He walked two and struck out four opposing batters. He went 3 scoreless innings in an 18-12 win over Southern Nazarene. He allowed three hits and struck out three as his personal record is now 2-0.

Chester goes five strong

Fynn Chester (Victoria, BC) went five innings in Salt Lake Community College’s 11-4 win against the College of Southern Idaho. He gave up three hits, two runs (one earned) with five strikeouts for the Bruins.

Bluejay picks up win

The Elmhurst Bluejays started the season 3-1 and Nathan Tovell (Calgary, Alta.) was an important part of the success. Novell went seven innings, allowed three hits and two runs (one earned). He struck out eight to pick up his first win.

Cardinal picks up a win

Nic Cardinal (Bonnevile, Alta.) won his third game of the season in a 6-4 Allan Hancock win over College of Sequoias. He tossed seven innings, scattering four hits and two runs. He issued one free pass and punched out one during his start.

Mailloux pitches No. 18 Racers to win

No. 18 Northwestern Ohio had a stiff test in No. 20 Campbellsville. Olivier Mailloux (Ville de Quebec, Que.) got it done on the mound for the Racers in Game 4 delivering six innings and holding the opposition to four hits. He allowed one run with two walks and four strikeouts.

Keyes evens record

Travis Keys (London, Ont.) worked five scoreless innings for Grand Valley State in their win over Hillsdale. He surrendered three hits and three walks, while striking out nine to even his record to 1-1 on the campaign.

Demchenko makes two appearances, throws eight innings

Northeastern Junior College blanked Williston State 6-0 behind five scoreless innings from Zach Demchenko (Saskatoon, Sask.). Demchenko gave up two hits, walked four and struck out six to earn the win. He returned to the mound in a 10-5 win over Otero. He won again going three innings of relief, allowing three hits and two runs (zero earned) with four strikeouts.

That’s a wrap for another week of college baseball. Canadian players success continues with each week of games. Check back again next week to see who stood out for their school.

If you know of someone deserving of a mention in the weekly BMOC column please email Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com. Please not our week runs Monday-Sunday.