GUELPH TO HOST BROCK, WESTERN AND LAURIER AT OUA BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Brock Badgers are looking to return to OUA supremacy after losing to the two-time defending champions, the Toronto Varsity Blues, in the final last season. The Western Mustangs are looking for their fifth OUA title in the league’s 13-year history, while the Laurier Golden Hawks will be looking to make a statement and claim their first title.
The Brock Badgers (18-6) finished the season in first place and open the double knockout tournament against the fourth place Laurier Golden Hawks (14-8) on Friday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The Badgers won two of out of three meetings with the Golden Hawks this season, but with a strong pitching performance, underdog Laurier has what it takes to upset the top-seeded team.
The Badgers boast two all-stars in pitcher Phil Owen (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and shortstop Phil Steer (Toronto). The Hawks will look for strong field play from all-stars Adam Shaver (Mississauga, Ont.) and Jonathan Brouse (Port Perry, Ont.) and pitching from Jordan Petruska (Mississauga, Ont.), who led OUA pitchers in both strikeouts and wins.
The Western Mustangs and Guelph Gryphons finished the regular season with identical 17-7 records and will face off in the other first round matchup. The Mustangs hold a slight edge over the Gryphs, having defeated them in two of out of three meetings, but all games came down to a single run. The pair will renew their rivalry at 7 p.m. on Friday evening.
The Gryphs will look to two-time OUA top hitter Justin Interisano (Guelph, Ont.) and pitcher of the year Brendan Sorichetti (Whitby, Ont.). Interisano recorded an astounding .529 batting average while Sorichetti posted a league low ERA of 1.00. The Mustangs will rely on all-star Simon Weisz (Toronto) for offensive production. He led the team with a .339 batting average.
The double elimination tournament continues into Saturday to determine which teams will compete in the finals on Sunday. Sunday’s final game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Hastings Stadium in Guelph, Ont.
FULL SCHEDULE
Game 1 - Friday, Oct. 18 @ 4 p.m. – Brock vs. Laurier
Game 2 - Friday, Oct. 18 @ 7 p.m. – Guelph vs. Western
Game 3 - Saturday, Oct. 19 @ 10 a.m. – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
Game 4 – Saturday, Oct. 19 @ 1 p.m. – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 5 – Saturday, Oct. 19 @ 4 p.m. – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4
Game 6 – Sunday, Oct. 20 @ 11 a.m. – Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5
Game 7 – Sunday, Oct. 20 @ 2 p.m. – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6*
*Game 7 is only played if necessary