University of Toronto advances to OUA championship tournament

After going undefeated at this past weekend's OUA Regional Qualifier, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team booked their ticket to the OUA Championship in Hamilton this weekend. Photo: University of Toronto Athletics

October 9, 2023

Official University of Toronto Athletics News Release

Going undefeated at this past weekend's OUA Regional Qualifier, the Varsity Blues baseball team booked their ticket to the OUA Championship in Hamilton this weekend.

After finishing round robin play on Oct. 8 with a convincing win over Laurentian, the Blues found themselves in another showdown with the TMU Bold for the regional final, with the winner advancing to the provincial showcase.

U of T and TMU opened the crucial Sunday contest with back-and-forth offence as the Bold held a 6-5 advantage at the end of two innings. But a six-run third inning and nine-run fifth inning propelled the Blues ahead, securing a 23-7 win and another chance at a provincial banner.

Throughout the four games played this weekend as part of the regional qualifier, the Toronto offence outscored opponents 61-16.

Leading the charge in the regional final was third-year outfielder Lemuel Beach who finished the game going 3-for-5, recording a two-run double in the first inning, a two-run single in the fifth, and finally an RBI single in the fourth.

The Blues had 16 hits in the game with six different Blues enjoying multiple-hit games. Additional highlight performances: Sam Aslanowicz recorded two RBIs and three runs on three hits and a walk; Niko Kekatos had three RBIs and three runs on two hits and two walks; and Kristyan Puyol-Genossar had three RBIs and two runs from two hits and a walk.

On the mound, Blues veteran Kevin Angers went four innings with two strikeouts, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and four walks. Second-year pitcher Easton Kirkpatrick worked one inning in relief, conceding one hit while striking out two.

Toronto will join Carleton, Waterloo, and McMaster next weekend in Hamilton at Bernie Arbour Stadium to determine the next provincial champion. U of T will open their championship schedule with a semifinal matchup on Friday versus the west qualifier and championship host Marauders, with first pitch in Hamilton scheduled for 10 a.m.