July 1, 2018

By Graham Neysmith

Ottawa Champions

OTTAWA – The independent Can-Am League's Ottawa Champions relied on a two-hit performance from LHP Evan Rutckyj to secure the win by a score of 4-0 over the New Jersey Jackals on a sweltering Canada Day in Ottawa.
 
“Rutckyj really did a good job,” said Hal Lanier following the win. “We’re very happy that he gave us a great, quality outing. He had great stuff. We got some key base hits with runners in scoring position. That’s two games in a row we’ve played a good ballgame.”
 
It was appropriate that Rutckyj, a Windsor, Ont. native, threw a gem on Canada Day. The Canadian was nothing short of amazing, giving up only two hits and walking three while striking out seven. His eight-inning performance lowered his ERA to 4.02.
 
RHP Dylan Brammer of the Jackals went 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs. DH Sebastien Boucher (Gatineau, Que.) was able to bring home INF Daniel Bick via the sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, which would serve as the game’s winning run.
 
OF Steve Brown gave the Champions some insurance in the eighth inning by hitting his third home run of the year. Bick and OF Chase Harris also had RBIs on the day for Ottawa.