October 13, 2022
Banner Season: Final four set to square off on the diamonds following regional triumphs
Burlington, Ont. - It all comes down to this. After fending off their fellow Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competitors in last weekend's qualifiers, the remaining victors from regionals - Guelph Gryphons, Queen's Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, and Waterloo Warriors - will come together for a chance to claim the 2022 Jason Guindon Trophy at Jack Couch Field in Kitchener, Ont. from Friday, October 14 to Saturday, October 15.
Championship Details
When: Friday, October 14 to Saturday, October 15 | FULL SCHEDULE
Where: Jack Couch Field, Kitchener, Ont.
Participating Schools (4): Guelph Gryphons, Queen's Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Waterloo Warriors
Defending Champions: Toronto Varsity Blues | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Kevin Angers, Toronto Varsity Blues | It never hurts to have a championship-tested pitcher on the mound, and for Toronto, they will have just that with the Mississauga, Ont. native. After securing the gold medal win at last year's provincial finale and taking the hump at their regional-clinching win over TMU at last weekend's qualifying event, the second-year hurler will surely be relied upon in the team's aspirations for a repeat this weekend.
Sam Brown, Guelph Gryphons | The reigning OUA athlete of the week was a key cog in the well-oiled Guelph machine last weekend, and the talented third baseman will be a focal point once again. Brown showcased his power and productivity at regionals with five extra-base hits, including two home runs, and 14 RBIs. It was much of the same for the Toronto, Ont. native in the team's tune-up games, and if Guelph wants to put a cherry on top of their successful campaign with a provincial banner, this same type of production from Brown will go a long way.
Jordan Leishman & Logan Blower, Queen's Gaels | The dynamic duo on the mound for the Gaels was just about as unhittable as they came during Queen's coach-driven slate of games, combining to throw 39 innings for the Tricolour. The latter didn't allow an earned run during his 18 innings of exhibition work, and with the pair's overall affinity for keeping the opposition off the scoreboard, the rookie and sophomore duo will need to bring that same level of stinginess to their debut banner season performances.
Liam Sutherland, Waterloo Warriors | The senior outfielder made a mockery of opposing pitching this past weekend, hitting a sparkling .800 to lead Waterloo's offence across their four qualifier games. His consistent contributions at the plate included a double, triple, and three walks, along with eight RBIs and four runs scored. Being able to rely on the Stoney Creek, Ont. native at the plate to keep the line moving and come through in the clutch, in much the same way that he did for the Warriors at regionals, will be a luxury for Waterloo as they hope for more of those lengthy (and productive) innings against Toronto.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
In what has been one of the most successful stretches in Guelph's program history, the Gryphons have rolled through the competition to advance to this final weekend of action. Following up on their 16 exhibition wins, this past weekend proved to be no different. The Gryphons flexed their muscle with three overpowering wins against Brock (2) and McMaster (1), respectively, to cruise through the West Regional Qualifier. With a total of 41 runs across those three games (+35 run differential), all of which ended via mercy, there may be no hotter team than Guelph heading into their semifinal with Queen's on Friday morning, but they'll need to keep the offensive wheels churning when they take on one of the conference's stingiest defensive units (Queen's) in Friday's semifinals.
The Gaels took a slight detour to get to the final weekend of OUA play, but they made it there, nonetheless. After dropping their second qualifier game against Ottawa last weekend, the Gaels bounced back with convincing victories over Carleton (10-2) in the semifinal and in their rematch with Ottawa in the finale (14-2). The Kingston crew seemed to find their stride on both sides of the ball in the latter two games, and will need much more of the same to keep the powerhouse Gryphons at bay.
The Toronto Varsity Blues produced an up-and-down stretch of exhibition play ahead of last weekend's qualifiers, but were able to ride their late momentum into a strong showing at the Central Regional Qualifier. A mercy over York, a one-run win over Laurentian, and a high-scoring tie against TMU earned them a spot in the finale, and in that win-and-you're-in tilt, they stepped up in a big way to roll through the Bold. The team's proven performers, including the aforementioned Angers and reigning most valuable hitter Niko Kekatos, stepped into the spotlight to help secure Toronto's spot amongst this year's final four and if they can do more of the same against Waterloo on Friday, it could prove once again to be a recipe for success for the lone remaining team with an OUA championship under their belt.
Having come through against the back-to-back champion Golden Hawks (2019, 2020) to close out the Far West Regional Qualifier, Waterloo will next turn their attention to the most recent conference winners from Toronto. Similar to the start of their exhibition slate, wherein they dropped their opener, Waterloo proved once again their could overcome a challenge and string together several winning performances. If that modest three-game winning streak is to continue, much like their stretch of eight consecutive victories earlier this fall, the black and gold would do well to capture that same offensive spark they found following their initial shutout loss to Laurier last weekend. With 40 runs scored in those proceeding three games, including a 10-spot against those same Hawks, the Warriors are coming in with confidence and will be swinging for the fences once again come Friday.
Championship Details
When: Friday, October 14 to Saturday, October 15 | FULL SCHEDULE
Where: Jack Couch Field, Kitchener, Ont.
Participating Schools (4): Guelph Gryphons, Queen's Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Waterloo Warriors
Defending Champions: Toronto Varsity Blues | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Kevin Angers, Toronto Varsity Blues | It never hurts to have a championship-tested pitcher on the mound, and for Toronto, they will have just that with the Mississauga, Ont. native. After securing the gold medal win at last year's provincial finale and taking the hump at their regional-clinching win over TMU at last weekend's qualifying event, the second-year hurler will surely be relied upon in the team's aspirations for a repeat this weekend.
Sam Brown, Guelph Gryphons | The reigning OUA athlete of the week was a key cog in the well-oiled Guelph machine last weekend, and the talented third baseman will be a focal point once again. Brown showcased his power and productivity at regionals with five extra-base hits, including two home runs, and 14 RBIs. It was much of the same for the Toronto, Ont. native in the team's tune-up games, and if Guelph wants to put a cherry on top of their successful campaign with a provincial banner, this same type of production from Brown will go a long way.
Jordan Leishman & Logan Blower, Queen's Gaels | The dynamic duo on the mound for the Gaels was just about as unhittable as they came during Queen's coach-driven slate of games, combining to throw 39 innings for the Tricolour. The latter didn't allow an earned run during his 18 innings of exhibition work, and with the pair's overall affinity for keeping the opposition off the scoreboard, the rookie and sophomore duo will need to bring that same level of stinginess to their debut banner season performances.
Liam Sutherland, Waterloo Warriors | The senior outfielder made a mockery of opposing pitching this past weekend, hitting a sparkling .800 to lead Waterloo's offence across their four qualifier games. His consistent contributions at the plate included a double, triple, and three walks, along with eight RBIs and four runs scored. Being able to rely on the Stoney Creek, Ont. native at the plate to keep the line moving and come through in the clutch, in much the same way that he did for the Warriors at regionals, will be a luxury for Waterloo as they hope for more of those lengthy (and productive) innings against Toronto.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
In what has been one of the most successful stretches in Guelph's program history, the Gryphons have rolled through the competition to advance to this final weekend of action. Following up on their 16 exhibition wins, this past weekend proved to be no different. The Gryphons flexed their muscle with three overpowering wins against Brock (2) and McMaster (1), respectively, to cruise through the West Regional Qualifier. With a total of 41 runs across those three games (+35 run differential), all of which ended via mercy, there may be no hotter team than Guelph heading into their semifinal with Queen's on Friday morning, but they'll need to keep the offensive wheels churning when they take on one of the conference's stingiest defensive units (Queen's) in Friday's semifinals.
The Gaels took a slight detour to get to the final weekend of OUA play, but they made it there, nonetheless. After dropping their second qualifier game against Ottawa last weekend, the Gaels bounced back with convincing victories over Carleton (10-2) in the semifinal and in their rematch with Ottawa in the finale (14-2). The Kingston crew seemed to find their stride on both sides of the ball in the latter two games, and will need much more of the same to keep the powerhouse Gryphons at bay.
The Toronto Varsity Blues produced an up-and-down stretch of exhibition play ahead of last weekend's qualifiers, but were able to ride their late momentum into a strong showing at the Central Regional Qualifier. A mercy over York, a one-run win over Laurentian, and a high-scoring tie against TMU earned them a spot in the finale, and in that win-and-you're-in tilt, they stepped up in a big way to roll through the Bold. The team's proven performers, including the aforementioned Angers and reigning most valuable hitter Niko Kekatos, stepped into the spotlight to help secure Toronto's spot amongst this year's final four and if they can do more of the same against Waterloo on Friday, it could prove once again to be a recipe for success for the lone remaining team with an OUA championship under their belt.
Having come through against the back-to-back champion Golden Hawks (2019, 2020) to close out the Far West Regional Qualifier, Waterloo will next turn their attention to the most recent conference winners from Toronto. Similar to the start of their exhibition slate, wherein they dropped their opener, Waterloo proved once again their could overcome a challenge and string together several winning performances. If that modest three-game winning streak is to continue, much like their stretch of eight consecutive victories earlier this fall, the black and gold would do well to capture that same offensive spark they found following their initial shutout loss to Laurier last weekend. With 40 runs scored in those proceeding three games, including a 10-spot against those same Hawks, the Warriors are coming in with confidence and will be swinging for the fences once again come Friday.
