Big Men On Campus Week 14

By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network

There are some college seasons that are wrapping up and that means postseason play is on deck. Others meanwhile are in the home stretch.  As we head into May Canadians look to stay hot. Here are the best performances from the past week from the college ranks.

Rempel named Player of the Week
Tanner Rempel (Abbotsford, BC) made the only two games he played in this week count. In Game 3 of Colorado Mesa’s four-game series with Colorado School of Mines he went 4-for-4 with five RBIs. As if four hits wasn’t good enough, he hit for the cycle. In Game 4, an 8-7 win, he went 1-for-1. He was so good that despite limited action in the four-game series he was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Courtney controls Graceland
K.J. Courtney (Toronto, Ont.) was in full control during his start for Park University. He threw a complete game shutout, tossing all seven innings scattering four hits and two walks. He struck out eight in the 11-0 win over Graceland University. For his work on the mound he was named American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week. He finishes the regular season with a 3.71 ERA.

Tofteland takes advantage
Indiana State Sycamore redshirt Sophomore Dane Tofteland (Grande Prairie, Alta.) has been hot of late. In Game 1 of the Sycamores series with Bradley he went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBIs in the 5-4 win. He crushed two more home runs in Game 2, a solo and two-run shot to lead his team to a 6-4 victory. He finished with three hits and a walk when all was said and done. In the final game of the series, a 4-1 win completing the sweep, he had two hits, was hit by a pitch and knocked in a run. In 13 starts he is hitting .358 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. Tofteland was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for his work.

Daniels starts rough, ends strong
It was a disappointing start to the week for Kendal Daniels (Regina, Sask.) as he took the loss against St. Cloud State. He tossed two innings of relief, allowing two hits, two runs -- one earned -- with a strikeout. The loss dropped his record to 1-5. It wasn’t all bad, however, as he took the ball the very next game and helped Minot State to a 16-0 drubbing of the University of Mary in Game 1 of their series. He went 6 1/3 scoreless, giving up three hits and a walk. He struck out six to move to 2-5 on the year.

Marcus keeps on mashin’
David Marcus had a pair of three-hit games and 10 hits in total for California University of Pennsylvania next week. One of those three-hit games included a solo home run, while in the other he legged out a pair of doubles.

Reid’s right for Grambling State
Jonathan Reid (Mississauga, Ont.) makes an appearance in the BMOC for his work in Grambling State’s 17-0 win over Texas College. He worked six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits with nine punch outs.

Desjardins deals again
It was another stellar performance from Brandon Desjardins (Calgary, Alta) of the Community College of Spokane. He threw a complete game nine innings and allowed only two runs. He scattered six hits and a walk while striking out five in a 10-2 win over Big Bend.

Ejoh can for Cochise
Canice Ejoh (Brampton, Ont.) and Cochise College have wrapped up their regular season. He finished with a .280 average and 15 stolen bases over 40 games played. He had a hit, a walk and four RBIs against South Mountain in the final week. He also stole a base in that game. In Game 2 against Central Arizona, an 11-8 loss, he went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. In the final game of the season he again went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three RBIs.

Yates with six knocks, reaches nine times
Dawson Yates (Kelowna, BC) had six hits and three walks but Texas A&M Corpus Christi won only once in the four-game series. The Islanders moved him to the lead-off spot and he responded with three hits and a RBI in a 15-13 loss to Central Arkansas. The next game, also from the lead-off spot he had a double and a walk in a 3-2 win against Central Arkansas.

Follett figure out opposing pitching
It was a tough week for the College of the Desert. The Roadrunners dropped all three games they played but Nick Follett (Etobicoke, Ont.) was certainly a bright spot. He went 2-for-4 in Game 1 against Grossmont. He chipped in with a hit in Game 2 but the Roadrunners came out flat in a 26-3 loss. In the finale it was a 2-for-4 game with a RBI despite a 7-1 loss.

Onyshko with two stellar showings
Ben Onyshko (Winnipeg, Man.) threw three scoreless innings of relief for the Stetson Hatters against national power Florida State in an 11-5 loss. He allowed two hits and struck out six Seminole hitters. His next appearance was a start and he picked up the win going six innings and allowing two unearned runs against Bethune Cookman. He struck out nine and improved his record to 2-4. He won a 5.74 ERA over 26 2/3 innings.

Baker and Howie pick up honours
Nick Howie (Oakville, Ont.) was named Eastern Kentucky University Outstanding Freshman for his work so far for the Colonels. He is hitting .290 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. He currently owns a .410 OBP and a .500 SLG in 45 games, all starts.

TJ Baker (Acton, Ont.), former Georgetown Eagle, received the Male Senior Merit Award at St. Bonaventure.

Hewitt, Hrynkiw have another huge week
Max Hewitt (Midhurst, Ont.) continued to hit for Connors State, what else is new? He had nine hits in five games including one of the walk variety in a 10-9 win in Game 2 against Northeastern Oklahoma. Tony Hrynkiw (Brampton, Ont.) also had nine hits on the week.

Moffat goes 2-for-4
There is something about the No. 2 and Mike Moffatt (Waterdown, Ont.) last week. The Northern Kentucky outfielder went 2-for-4 in all four games the Norse played last week. The only win they picked up was in the final game of their series with Wright State.

The busier the better
Niagara County Community College played not one but two four-game series last week and that was just fine for Zarley Cina (Kitchener, Ont.). Cina pounded out 11 hits and walked three times in the eight games. One of his best performances came in Game 2 of NCCC’s series with Onondaga. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs in the 9-4 win.

Galveston arms do it again
Galveston Community College once again relied heavily on their Canadian pitchers. In Game 1 of their week against Navarro, Kristjan Storrie (Langley, BC) picked up his 10th save of the season by striking out two and walking one in an inning of work in the 8-6 win. Their next game, Game 1 of a series with Laredo, Cooper Misic (Surrey, BC) picked up the win going 4 1/3 innings of relief, giving up eight hits and three with a strikeout in the 10-7 win. Jesse Lee (Mississauga, Ont) locked down the save by going two scoreless innings with a hit and a strikeout. Kyle Ross (Maple Ridge, BC) threw a complete game that needed just five innings in an 11-0 win in Game 2. He allowed one hit and two walks with six strikeouts to move to 5-3 on the year. Story threw another scoreless inning and recorded a strikeout in Game 3, another 11-0 win. Lee threw 2/3 of an inning with a strikeout in the final game of the series, a 15-5 win.

Clarke’s a clear offensive force for UNO
He started his week with a 3-for-5 game in a 5-5 tie with Jackson State and Tristan Clarke (Brampton, Not.) just kept hitting. In game 1 of the University of New Orleans series with Incarnate work he had two hits, including a solo home runs and two RBIs in the 15-7 win. Game 2 also went the way of the Privateers by a 9-2 score. Clarke reached three times, two by the way of a hit and one by a hit by pitch. In the finale he had a hit and a RBI in the only loss for UNO in the series. Clarke is hitting .302 with nine home runs in 2017. New Orleans prepares for a midweek game with Grambling State before welcoming Houston Baptist to Maestri Field.

Nistor gets nod in regular season finale
Chase Nistor (Regina, Sask.) got the ball in Taft College’s final game of the regular season against Reedley and made sure to end it with a win. He threw a complete game nine innings and allowed only a single run. He gave up seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks. He finishes with a 4-6 record.

Johnson-Batillana picks up win No. 7
Six scoreless innings was enough to earn Krystien Johnson-Batillana (Hamilton, Ont.) his seventh win of the season. He gave up eight hits but countered it with eight strikeouts in the 4-1 win over Cornerstone.

From Saskatoon to Southern Idaho
Brett Resch (Saskatoon, Sask.) enjoyed his week for the College of Southern Idaho. He went 9-for-19 with a home run and nine RBIs for the Golden Eagles.

Andreychuk with two, three hit games for Seattle
Griffin Andreychuk (Nanaimo, BC) had seven hits total, including a pair of three-hit games for Seattle in their four games. He went 3-for-4 in Games 1 and 2 of their series with the University of Nevada Las Vegas. In Game 2 he hit a home run, walked, stole a base and drove in three runs. The weekend also included the 200th hit of the senior's career. 

Cuch, Dickinson State prep for conference tournament
Dickinson State heads into the North Star Athletic Conference tournament after splitting their final series against Viterbo 2-2. Jacob Cuch (Airdrie, Alta.) went 4-for-5 in a 10-9, Game 1 win, that included a home run and three RBIs. He followed it up with a hit, a walk and a RBI in Games 2 and 3, a 5-1 loss and 8-7 win, before going 2-for-4 with three RBIs in a 10-9 loss in Game 4 loss. Dickinson State takes on Jamestown in Game 1 of the conference tournament.

Clapperton with huge final game
The last game of the week was a good one for Doug Clapperton (Calgary, Alta.) of the University of Texas Permian Basin. He went 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles and a triple. He finished the week with seven hits in total. 

Young making a name for himself
Jared Young (Prince George, Alta.) has put up several good weeks for Old Dominion and this past week was definitely one. He went 4-for-5 with three RBIs in a 14-5, Game 1 win over Marshall. He had another two hits in a Game 2, 16-1 win, while also being hit by a pitch and driving in a run. He had a hit, a walk and stole a base in the finale, a 2-1 loss.

Cunningham appears in three, Pouwells powers offence
Hunter Cunningham (Mission, BC) should be ready when LSU Shreveport opens Red River Athletic Conference tournament play May 5th. He appeared in three games last week and allowed only a single run. He went 3 1/3 innings and gave up two hits, three walks and struck out two. 
Ryan Pouwells (Surrey, BC) had nine hits for the LSU Shreveport including a 4-for-4 performance with a walk, a stolen base and four RBIs in their second game against Dallas Christian College. Pouwells finishes the regular season leading the team in average at .413. He also drove in 53 and scored 52. The Pilots, who finished 34-18 and 16-10 in conference play, take on Texas A&M University-Texarkana in their first game of the tournament.

Kirwer reaches seven times as Niagara goes 2-2
The Niagara Purple Eagles lost to Canisius College in a midweek class before taking 2-of-3 from Fairfield this past week. Tanner Kirwer (Sherwood Park, Alta.) had a hit against Canisius and went 3-for-5 with a RBI in a Game 1 win over Fairfield. In Game 2, a 11-7 win, he went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run. He was also hit by a pitch. He closed his week with a hit in a Game 3, 4-1 loss.

Gauthier goes the distance and some
A complete game is usually enough work for one week but not for David Gauthier and not this week. The Trinidad State Trojan threw a complete game in a 2-1 win over Otero, he allowed six hits over the seven innings with three walks and seven strikeouts. He was then called upon in Game 4 of their series with Miles Community College where he worked 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs -- one earned -- on four hits. He struck out four and walked five. 

Brettell brings it for Chippewas
In an abbreviated midweek start against the Oakland University, Michael Brettell (Fonthill, Ont.) tossed three scoreless innings of one hit baseball for Central Michigan. He struck out four in the 8-4 win. He next saw action in Game 2 of the Chippewas series with Kent State, a game they won 7-4. He worked 3 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings of relief. He walked one and struck out two while picking up the win.

Mueller leads Scottsdale to W
Nothing screams intimidation like a Fighting Artichoke. What opposing teams should be intimidated of is the right arm of Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichoke Michael Mueller. In a 3-0 win over Gateway, Mueller threw eight scoreless innings, giving up six hits and striking out five to improve to 6-2 in 2017.

Paquin performs for Wesmen
Cole Paquin (Regina, Sask.) went 6-for-13 with three walks for the University of Winnipeg in their final series of the year.

Stevenson with big first and last game
Connor Stevenson (Keswick, Ont.) went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in East Central University’s 8-7 loss to Southern Nazarene. He then went 2-for-3 and was hit by a pitch with 4 RBIs in the final game of the week, an 8-3 win over Southern Oklahoma. He also recorded a hit in Game 1 of the series. Game 3 was cancelled.

Thomas picks up win, Northwestern Ohio beats up on Marygrove
It was not a fun series for Marygrove against Northwestern Ohio. Let’s jump to Game 2, a 10-0 Northwestern Ohio win. Kyle Thomas (Mississauga, Ont.) went seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk in the win. He struck out eleven Marygrove hitters. Northwestern Ohio outscored Marygrove 34-2 in the three-game series.He earned Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference pitcher of the week honours.

Gould goes six scoreless
Game 4 of Erie Community College’s series with Broome was all about Kyle Gould (Picton, Ont.). He worked six scoreless innings of relief, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out five. Erie took the game by a 5-3 final.

Loschiavo leads College of St. Joseph’s
John Loschiavo (Sainte-Julie, Que.) had 12 hits last week for the College of St. Joseph’s as they won 4-of-5. His top performance came in Game 3 of their series with Fisher, a game they won 13-7. He went 4-for-4 with four runs scored.

Roehler keeps on rollin’
Jonathan Roehler (Windsor, Ont.) had six hits, including a 3-for-4 game in Game 1 of Edgewood’s series with Wisconsin Lutheran College. 

Bondarchuk beats up on opposition
The first two games of the week were as good as any for Matt Bondarchuk (Edmonton, Alta.) of Cloud County Community College. He beat up on the opposing pitching of the Hastings College JV’s by going 3-for-4 with a walk in the first game and 4-for-5 with a stolen base, a triple and two RBIs in the second. He capped the week with four hits the rest of the way.

Angielski with four multi-hit games
Kyle Angielski (Regina, Sask.) was a force for Presentation College in a four-game set with Dakota State. In Game 1, a 17-1 win he went 3-for-5 with a RBI and tow doubles. He followed it up with a 2-for-4 game with a RBI and another double in a 6-3, Game 2 win. Game 3 saw him go 2-for-3 with two RBIs and yet another double in the 25-10 win. Game 4 was another thumping by Presentation College, this time it was a 24-8 score. Angielski went 3-for-3 with a walk, four RBIs, four runs scored and you guessed it, another double.

Gladu the glue for Louisiana Tech
Raphael Gladu (Trois Rivieres, Que.) was glad to face Western Kentucky for their three-game series. The senior went 2-for-3 with a RBI and was hit by a pitch in a 6-5, Game 1 win. After recording a hit in a Game 2 win he went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs to help Bulldogs complete the sweep of the Hilltoppers.

Zeggil zaps McCook lineup to life
Tanner Zeggil (Stayner, Ont.) went 9-for-14 with three RBIs for McCook Community College.

Glassman doesn’t break
An unearned run was all Tarleton State could muster against Matt Glassman (Windsor, Ont.) of Cameron University. He worked 6 1/3 innings, surrendering four hits and a single walk while striking out five in relief. Unfortunately Tarleton State did there damage before Glassman entered and even the one run was enough on this night as they took the game 7-0

Stobbe with the save, then with the win
Nicholas Stobbe (Saskatoon, Sask.) picked up the save in the University of Mary’s 3-2 win over Bemidji State. He worked two innings, gave up three hits and a run with a walk and three strikeouts. He followed it up in his next outing with a complete game win. He threw nine innings, giving up eight hits and three runs (two earned) wit a walk and five strikeouts in the 5-3, Game 2 win over Minot State. This was after his team was walloped 16-0 in Game 1 of the series.

Morro has seven hits
Connor Morro (Caledon, Ont.) had seven hits for Chattanooga Community College to finish the regular season with a .429 average. His top performance on the week was a 3-for-4 game with a walk and stolen base in a 12-4 loss to Walters State. He also drove in 42 runs and stole 13 bases during the 2017 regular season.

Campeau Jr. comes up big with the bat
Cal State San Bernadino’s Dominic Campeau (Orange, Calif.) had a hit in each of the first three games of their series with Cal State San Marcos, two of which were wins. In Game 4, a 9-6 win, he went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBIs.

The postseason is officially upon many college baseball teams. The pressure is mounting and Canadians continue to step up and perform. Don’t miss any of the action, check back right here to see the what’s going on around the world of college baseball through a Canadian lens.

If you know someone who is deserving of a mention in the weekly column please contact Matt Betts at mattbetts41@gmail.com