OUA ANNOUNCES 2013 BASEBALL MAJOR AWARDS AND ALL-STARS
Catcher Justin Interisano (Guelph, Ont.) is the OUA’s top hitter for the second consecutive season. The fourth-year standout led the league with a .529 batting average, while recording 22 RBIs and six home runs. Interisano was also named an all-star for his defensive play at catcher.
Gryphons teammate Brendan Sorichetti is the OUA pitcher of the year. The Whitby, Ont. native takes home the honour after posting four wins and an ERA of just 1.00. He also recorded 35 strikeouts. This is his first all-star recognition.
Waterloo’s Michael Clouthier (Guelph, Ont.) made noise in his rookie campaign and he earned the rookie of the year award for his efforts. Clouthier led the OUA with seven home runs in 24 games played and hit in 24 RBIs. Clouthier is the first Waterloo Warrior to be named rookie of the year.
Rounding out the major award winners is Guelph’s Matt Griffin, who took home the OUA coach of the year award. Griffin led his team to a 17-7 record, good enough to tie for second place and earn his squad a place in the championship. This is Griffin’s second major award, after being named coach of the year in 2010.
Guelph Gryphons Sean Molony (Pickering, Ont.), Peter Ricciardi (Pickering, Ont.) and Matt Forer (Brampton, Ont.) join teammates Interisano and Sorichetti on the all-star roster. Forer earned the top DH spot with his 23 RBIs, while right fielder Ricciardi recorded a .95 fielding percentage and hit for eight doubles. Senior third baseman Molony committed just five errors in 23 games played and posted a .338 batting average.
The Laurier Golden Hawks finished fourth in the regular season standings and are well represented on the all-star team in first baseman Adam Shaver (Mississauga, Ont.) and centre fielder Jonathan Brouse (Port Perry, Ont.). Shaver had 100 put outs and .982 fielding percentage in 17 games and Brouse, a third-year, had an error free season in the outfield.
The Brock Badgers finished atop the OUA standings, thanks in part to performances from all-stars Phil Steer (Toronto) and Phil Owen (Richmond Hill, Ont.). Steer had an exceptional rookie campaign, recording 39 assists in 20 games. He led the Badgers with a .371 batting average. Owen is the top relief pitcher after leading the OUA with five saves.
The Western Mustangs lone all-star this year went to second baseman Simon Weisz. The Toronto native posted an impressive .964 fielding percentage and had 22 put outs in just 12 games played.
McMaster’s Travis Flint rounds out the OUA all-star team. The Hamilton, Ont. native led all left fielders with 33 put outs and recorded a .397 batting average.
The OUA baseball major award winners and all-stars are determined by a vote of the head coaches of the league’s nine member teams. The all-stars will be honoured on Friday, Oct. 18 at a ceremony to be held between the opening games of the 2013 OUA baseball championship at Hastings Stadium in Guelph, Ont.
MAJOR AWARDS
Top Hitter – Justin Interisano – Guelph
Top Pitcher – Brendan Sorichetti – Guelph
Rookie of the year – Michael Clouthier – Waterloo
Coach of the year – Matt Griffin – Guelph
ALL-STARS
Catcher – Justin Interisano – Guelph
First base – Adam Shaver – Laurier
Second base – Simon Weisz – Western
Shortstop – Phil Steer – Brock
Third base – Sean Molony – Guelph
Left field – Travis Flint – McMaster
Right field – Peter Ricciardi – Guelph
Centre field – Jonathan Brouse – Laurier
Designated hitter – Matt Forer – Guelph
Starting pitcher – Brendan Sorichetti – Guelph
Relief pitcher – Phil Owen – Brock