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Monday, March 17, 2003
Freeborn, Picard tough to beat
Player of the Week, Week Five Honours
By BOB ELLIOTT
For SLAM! Canadian Baseball
Where would we all be had Al Gore not discovered, or was it invented, we forget his election campaign boast, e-mails?
Well, Geoff Freeborn might not be pitching for the Northern Kentucky Norse.
Freeborn took the initiative to e-mail Northern Kentucky head coach Todd Asalon, while the right-hander was pitching for North Idaho Cardinals during his sophomore season in 2002.
"Geoff e-mailed us and said he wanted to pitch in our conference because we have wood bats," Asalon said. "I spoke to his coach, we flew him in and it only took about six pitches to tell that he was a good fit for us."
And it only took Clarion Golden Eagles hitters about six pitches to know that they were in for a long day as Freeborn pitched a no-hitter in Norther Kentucky's 12-0 win over the Clarion in the Savannah Invitational NCAA Division II tourney at Pirate Field in Savannah, Ga.
Each week we try to narrow down the accomplishments of many, many players into one shining star. And many weeks it is very, very difficult.
We don't think we've often seen such a clear-cut winner as catcher Freeborn, but then we discover DH Alain Picard of the Maine Black Bears.
While Freeborn was unhittable, Picard was tough to get out, hitting .379 on the first eight games of Maine's spring trip. He added three doubles, with a homer and 14 RBIs.
So, Freeborn (junior, Calgary, Alta) and Picard (senior, St. Foy, Que.) share co-winners of the SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week honours.
They edged out outfielder Sebastien Boucher (freshman, Ottawa, Ont.) of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, first baseman Omari Briscoe (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) of the Ohio Bobcats, DH Ryan Brnardic (senior, Lasalle, Ont.) of the South Eastern State Oklahoma Savage and third baseman Russ Smithson (freshman, Port Coquitlam, BC) of the El Paso Tejanos.
The weekly award recognizes the best of the 509 Canadians playing south of the border.
Firstly, some details on Freeborn, who recorded eight strikeouts, while walking four in his no-hitter. He's attending his third school in his many year.
Originally, he pitched for the University of Calgary Dinosaurs under coach Jimmy Lawson in 2001, then pitched for North Idaho last spring and now he's with Northern Kentucky.
NCAA Division I schools such as Gonzaga State, Portland, San Diego State, Winthrop and Oral Roberts all wooed Freeborn.
"The big reason I picked Northern Kentucky was because it was wood bat conference, there aren't too many that I know of," Freeborn said. "A lot of the Division I schools I talked to were offering me a half or a quarter scholarship."
The Great Lakes Valley Conference uses wooden bats rather than aluminum. That allows for a better barometer for scouts to adjudge talent and makes for a better game.
"A lot of scouts that have shown interest in Geoff," Asalon said, "the New York Yankees have been in to see him three times as well as the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies, but the Yankees have been around the most."
And a lot more will once the Norse head home. His velocity was at 86-87 miles per hour. With wet weather forecast for Savannah, Northern Kentucky and Southern-Illinois Edwardsville boarded their buses for a 14-hour trip to St. Louis and clear skies.
In Savannah, Freeborn did not have the best bullpen session, rating it as "not great."
"The only pitch I had working was the fastball," Freeborn said. "Once the game started though I had my slider, curve and change.
Shortstop Chris Osterkamp (senior, Cincinnati, Ohio) made the best defensive play behind Freeborn. With runners on first and second he not only saved a bouncing ball from bounding on into centre field but turned a double play.
The final out, a ground ball to third base was routine. However, the top of the seventh was not. Usually no one mentions anything to a pitcher working on a no-hit bid.
"Actually my catcher (Conor McGeehan, freshman, Lebanon, Ohio) told me in the top of the seventh, I didn't know," Freeborn said. "I guess I got lucky. I was happy to get it, I've thrown a bunch of one-hitters."
Who were the major influences in Freeborn's coaching career? Well, he has two choices, Greg Hamilton, coach of the Canadian Junior National Team, where in played in 1999 and Jimmy Lawson from the U of Calgary.
"Over all Greg was the best coach and he made baseball fun," Freeborn said. "Everything came together for me when I pitched for Jimmy Lawson.
Presto! All the drills, all the indoor workout sessions, all the conditioning Freeborn had done had paid off. Freeborn was the Norse's No. 1 starter.
Freeborn's is Northern Kentucky's No. 1 starter as Asalon says he "has outstanding command of his pitches."
With North Idaho Freeborn had a 5-7 record in 13 starts (16 games) and an earned run average of 3.28, while allowing only 56 hits in 82 1/3 innings and fanning 99 opposing hitters.
While Freeborn, like other sophomores at junior colleges, including right-hander Ryan Sallaway (Victoria, BC) who moved to Lewis-Clark State, were going to have to move on regardless from the two-year school, four North Idaho freshmen had to move when the school dropped baseball for the spring of 2003.
Now, that the booing has stopped ... we can continue.
Shortstop Rob Recuenco (sophomore, Vancouver, BC) transferred to Oregon State; righty Jordan Holloway (Pitt Meadows, BC) went to Eastern Arizona, first baseman Ben Meachen (Abbotsford, BC) went to Capilano College in North Vancouver and righthy Stephen Donohue (East York, Ont.) enrolled in school in Ontario.
And secondly, how Picard's week that was went as he:
Drove in three runs in an 11-6 season-opening win over Hartford Hawks at Gastonia NC. Picard singled and doubled. Pinch hitter Pat Tobin (senior, Pickering, Ont.) also doubled and hit a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double. Catcher Aaron Izaryk (sophomore, Markham, Ont.) had a pair of hits.
Had a pair of hits and a stolen base in an 11-4 win over Hartford in Gastonia. Izaryk had a perfect day, going 4-for-4 with a triple, a double, two singles and three RBIs.
Knocked in four runs in a 12-2 triumph over Hartford at Laurinburg, NC. Picard homered, singled and drove in four runs, while Izaryk singled. Picard hit a three-run homer in the first inning.
Was hitless in three at-bats, as Maine dropped its first loss of the season, a 4-3 setback to the Georgia State Panthers at DeKalb South Field Atlanta, Ga. Izaryk doubled for the Bears. Right-hander Ryan Harris (junior, Woodstock, NB) made an impressive first start for the Bears pitching a complete game. Harris allowed seven hits and four runs, while walking three and striking out four to take the loss.
Drove in the only run as Maine lost 5-1 to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at at Jackie Robinson Field in Daytona Beach, Fla. Izaryk added a single.
Singled and scored twice as Maine beat Bethune-Cookman 8-3 before 375 fans at Daytona Beach. Izaryk singled, hit a scoring fly ball and knocked in two runs. Picard walked to load the bases and Izaryk hit a one-out single to right to score a run.
Knocked in a pair of runs with a single in a 14-4 Maine win over the Long Island Blackbirds at Embry Riddle in Daytona. First baseman Tobin hit a pair of doubles in two at-bats and knocked in three runs, while third baseman Izaryk singled and drove in a run. Maine scored six times in the first with Izaryk contributing an RBI single. Tobin's two-out three-run double gave Maine a 14-0 lead.
Drove in three more runs with a pair of doubles in a 20-9 win over Long Island. Catcher Izaryk was hitless, but made the most of his outs, knocking in three runs, while Tobin singled and drove in a run. Picard's two doubles were a fraction of the school-record seven the Bears managed. UMaine went up 7-0 lead in the first, but Long Island scored eight times in their half. Picard hit his second double of the day in the second to bring in Izaryk, whose three RBIs came in the first when he grounded to first, in the sixth when he walked with the bases loaded and later the same inning when he hit his scoring fly ball.
Izaryk owns a .393 average with a double, a triple and 10 RBIs, while Tobin, who has started only one game is hitting .500 with three doubles and seven RBIs.
Picard is a former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week ,winning in Week 13 of the 2002 season. He was also named to the SLAM! Canadian Baseball All-Canadian College third team in 2002,
And how other Canadians fared during their week, which for many was a busy spring break:
First baseman Karl Amonite (junior, Woodslee, Ont.) went 2-for-2 in 13-5 win by No. 11-ranked Auburn Tigers over the No. 22- ranked North Carolina Tar Heels before 1,355 fans at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Amonite also knocked in a pair of runs, the first with his second double of the season.
Reliever Danny Andres (freshman, San Clara, Man.) took the loss as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks dropped a 6-3 decision to the Belmont Bruins before 325 fans at Rudy Abbott Field in Jacksonville, Ala. Andres allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings walking two and striking out one. He's now 0-1. Reliever Clark Andres (senior, San Clara, Man.) allowed one hit before retiring the final Belmont hitter. Danny Andres allowed two hits and one run, while walking two in an 8-0 loss to the South Alabama Jaguars before 930 fans at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala. Clark Andres pitched a scoreless eighth for Jacksonville State.
Shortstop Tyson Arishenkoff (senior, Cranbrook, BC) extended his consecutive-game hitting streak to 10 games before it was stopped. In the seventh game of the streak Arishenkofff homered and tripled as the Louisiana Shreveport Pilots beat Bellhaven 7-2 before 100 fans at Pilot Field in Shreveport La. Arishenkoff went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs. Catcher Aaron McRae (senior, Delta, B.C.) singled and knocked in a run, while Arishenkoff doubled in a 9-4 win before 125 fans. McRae doubled, singled and knocked in a both LSUS runs in a 2-1 win over Belhaven before 125 fans. McRae homered and drove in three runs as the Pilots beat Paul Quinn 22-1 before 100 fans. Second baseman Myles Fletcher (senior, Lethbridge, Alta.) had two hits and drove in a run, while Arishenkoff had two hits and two RBIs. Fletcher had two hits and two RBIs in an 11-1 romp over Paul Quinn, before 100 fans.
Reliever Ryan Armstrong (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) made his debut and it was a scoreless outing as the Southwest Texas State Bobcats dropped a 9-8 verdict to the Texas Tech Red Raiders before 2,819 fans at Dan Law Field in Lubbock, Tx. Armstrong pitched 1 2/3 innings, walking two.
Outfielder Shaun Ashman (junior, Trail, BC) knocked in five runs in the Northwood Knights 17-3 romp over Jarvis Christian. Ashman hit was 3-for-3, with a pair of doubles, including a bases-loaded double in the first inning. Ashman had three hits with an RBI in Northwood's 11-1 win over St. Francis.
Right-hander John Axford (sophomore, Port Dover, Ont.) gained the win as the 18th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Navy Midshipmen 7-3 in the Kennel Club Classic action before 205 fans at North Florida's Harmon Stadium. in Jacksonville, Fla. Axford pitched five innings, allowing six hits and three runs -- two earned -- while walking one and fanning seven. Axford's season ERA now stands at 2.50. He made strides in his ratio of strikeouts to walks, while keeping the ball down in the zone for much of the game, with six groundball outs, one infield lineout and one fly ball.
Left fielder Craig Barber (junior, Richmond, BC) went 3-for-4 as the Dowling Golden Lions opened their spring trip with a 5-4 win over the Rollins Tars at Winter Park, Fla. Dowling trailed 4-1, but rallied thanks to a double and two singles from Barber. Right-hander Scott Jellous (senior, Ingersoll, Ont.) pitched well enough to deserve a better fate, but wound up with the loss, as Dowling lost 4-0 to Rollins. Jellous went 5 2/3 innings allowing 11 hits and three earned runs, while walking one and fanning one. Rollins 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, after a 30-minute rain delay in the middle innings. Barber tripled, drove in a run and stole a base as Dowling lost 10-4 to Saint Anselm at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla. In a 9-7 loss to the Tampa Spartans, Barber went 3-for-5, with an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. Jellous picked up the victory in an 11-4 win over Merrimack at Saint Leo, Fla. Jellous went six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking one. Dowling heads home to Long Island from its spring trip with a 3-4 record.
Reliever Rob Bland (freshman, North Bay, Ont.) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless inning as the Kentucky Bad Cats edged the Purdue Boilermakers 2-1 before 258 fans at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Bland was touched for two hits and two unearned runs, while walking two and striking out one in a 9-0 loss to the Indian State Sycamores before 117 fans.
Reliever Dustin Bolton (junior, Calgary, Alta.) took the loss as the Jacksonville Dolphins were edged 5-4 by the Eastern Illinois Panthers in front of 376 fans at Brest Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Bolton took over with Jacksonville leading 3-2 in the sixth. He allowed three hits and three runs while walking one and striking out one. Bolton is now 0-1.
Centre fielder Alex Borgo (senior, Cookstown, Ont.) has been asked to hit lead off this season by the New Mexico State Aggies. That means his job is to get on base, steal bases and not swing at the first pitch. In other words, he's supposed to be like Rickey Henderson. And Borgo was just like Henderson when he led off the game with a homer against the New Mexico Lobos in the DKD Electric Shootout. However, the Lobos scored in the bottom of the ninth for a 10-9 win before 630 fans at Lobo Field in Albuquerque, N.M. Borgo also singled and scored twice. Borgo also had a pair of hits and an RBI in a 13-11 win over the Texas-Arlington Mavericks before 125 fans. He singled and scored in the fifth to tie the game 6-6. His second single came in the eighth, as the Aggies entered the inning trailing 11-8, he singled to knock in a run and even the score 11-11. Reliever Rory Coppinger (junior, White Rock, BC) pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing four hits and four runs, walking one and striking out four. Borgo had a pair of hits, including a double, in an 8-6 win over the Northwestern Wildcats before 246 fans. It was Borgo's fifth double of the season. Borgo has two of NMSU's three hits and drove in the lone Aggie run in a 3-1 loss to the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners before 100 fans at Wolff Stadium in San Antonio, Tx. Borgo tripled to the wall in centre to knock in an Aggies run. Borgo homered and produced a pair of runs in an 8-4 loss to the Texas-San Antonio.
DH Matt Born (freshman, Saskatoon, Sask.) doubled for the Oklahoma Panhandle Aggies in an 11-1 loss to the Missouri-St. Louis Rivermen in the Central Missouri State/Holiday Inn Express Classic at Crane Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo. Born also singled in a 15-0 loss to the Central Missouri State Mules.
Left fielder Jon Bosnick (junior, New Westmister, BC) drove in a run in a 17-12 Texas-Arlington Mavericks loss to the New Mexico Lobos in the DKD Electric Shootout before 415 fans at Lobo Field in Albuquerque, N.M.
Left fielder Sebastien Boucher (freshman, Ottawa, Ont.) drove in three runs as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats thumped the St. Joseph's Pumas 10-1 at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. Boucher singled three times and scored once. Second baseman Brad Frick (junior, Surrey BC) had a pair of hits and knocked in a run. Boucher had two hits and scored twice while Frick, the lead-off man of the 1-2 combination also scored twice and singled in Bethune-Cookman's 16-4 win over Saint Joseph's. Frick doubled down the left-field line and scored off a one-out double in Bethune Cookman's 5-1 win over the Maine Black Bears at Daytona. Boucher also singled and stole two bases. Boucher had two hits and drove in a run in an 8-3 loss to Maine before 375 fans
Reliever Ryan Braun (senior, Kitchener, Ont.) of the Nevada Las Vegas Hustlin' Rebels gained the win in a 7-5 decision over the Memphis Tigers before 471 fans at E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. Braun entered the game in the eighth with the score deadlocked 5-5 and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings , walking two and striking out two. Braun also pitched a scoreless ninth in a 13-4 win over Memphis, walking two and fanning one before 646 fans.
First baseman Omari Briscoe (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) homered twice in the Ohio Bobcats 13-11 loss to Youngstown State at the SE Sports Complex in Jefferson City. In all, Briscoe's 3-for-3 day, included three extra-base hits: his two homers and a double. He drove in three runs on the day. Briscoe continued to feast off Youngstown pitching in a 16-7 win, as he went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Reliever Shaun Peet (senior, Goderich, Ont.) allowed two hits and two runs -- one earned -- while walking one and striking out one in 2/3 of an inning.
Briscoe singled as Ohio beat Youngstown State 8-5. Briscoe also singled in a 9-0 win over the Otterbein Cardinals at Bob Wren Stadium in Athens, Ohio.
DH Ryan Brnardic (senior, Lasalle, Ont.) homered and tripled in the South Eastern State Oklahoma Savage 13-2 win over St. Edward's before 210 fans at the Ballpark in Durant in Durant, Oak. Brnardic went 3-for-4 on the day knocking in a pair of runs. The homer was his third. Brnardic homered, singled and knocked in a pair of runs in a 10-1 triumph over St. Edward's. Brnardic singled in a 4-3 win over St. Edward's in front of 105 fans. Right-hander Brad Grieveson (senior, Creemore, Ont.) pitched six solid innings for the Savage, but the Southern Arkansas Muleriders used a walk-off home run for a 3-2 win at before 275 fans at 'Rider Field in Magnolia, Ark. Grieveson allowed six hits and two runs, while walking two and fanning two before turning matters over to the bullpen. Brnardic contributed a single. Brnardic singled in a run in the nitecap, another 3-2 loss.
Left fielder Sean Camilleri (sophomore, Coquitlam, BC) homered in a 13-12 win over the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils before 138 fans at Boll Weevil Field in Monticello, Ark. It was Camilleri's second homer of the season. Camilleri added a three-run home run in the top of the sixth. Camilleri singled in Harding's 2-0 win over Arkansas-Monticello before 230 fans. Camilleri doubled, singled and knocked in two runs in Harding's 7-1 before 230 fans. Camilleri had two hits in an 8-2 loss to the Lyon Scots before 325 fans at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy, Ark. before 325 fans. Reliever Mike Davis (freshmen, Langley BC) worked two innings allowing one hit and one unearned, while walking one and striking one.
Right-hander Steve Carter (junior, Woodslee, Ont.) garnered the win in an 8-4 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers victory over the Birmingham-Southern Panthers before 155 fans at Scrushy-Striplin in Birmingham, Ala. Carter pitched five innings, allowing eight hits and four runs, while fanning seven. With the win Carter moves to 2-1 on the season.
Centre fielder Eric Cassidy (freshman, Windsor, Ont.) doubled, singled and drove in a run in a 13-9 Concordia-Michigan Cardinals loss to the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers in the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Cassidy also scored a pair of runs. Cassidy had a pair of hits in a 14-4 loss to the Dakota State Trojans. Cassidy knocked in a run in a 4-3 loss to Dakota State and did the same in a 6-5 loss to Dakota State.
Shortstop Allan Cattrysse (freshman, Chatham, Ont.) had a pair of hits in a 13-5 Michigan State Spartans loss to the North Florida Ospreys before 452 fans at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
Shortstop Marc Chabot (junior, Kingston, Ont. -- Canada's first capital) drove in four runs as the Kansas State Wildcats in an 11-8 loss to the Seton Hall Pirates in Papa John's Challenge at the Homestead Sports Complex in Homestead, Fla. Chabot tripled and singled for Kansas State. Chabot's single to right field make it 3-0 and in the fourth he hit his first career triple to right-centre. It was an exhausting day for the Wildcats, who arrived in Miami around 8 a.m. after travel delays forced the team to fly to Tampa then bus most of the late night/early morning to get to their hotel. Chabot had two hits and an RBI in a 9-8 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tointon Stadium in Manhattan, Kan. Chabot also singled in a 12-4 loss Arkansas before 2,247 fans at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
Third baseman Hyung Cho (junior, Scarborough, Ont.) knocked in two runs as the Houston Cougars beat the Northwestern State Demons 2-1 before 1,061 fans at Cougar Field in Houston, Tx. Cho led off the third inning with a double, his fifth of the season, and came around to score the decisive run. He also singled in the first. Cho singled in a 6-4 loss to Northwestern State.
Right-hander Adam Clarke (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) picked up the victory as the Graceland Yellow Jackets beat Baker 8-4, as he scattered eight hits. Tyler Belanger (freshman, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) tripled, doubled and stole a base in a 7-5 win over Mary in the Avila tourney. Ryan Boe (senior, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) also tripled. Clarke also picked up the save in a 13-8 win over Graceland as Fraser Vernon (sophomore, Mississauga, Ont.) doubled and Belanger tripled. Vernon doubled in an 8-7 win over Mid America.
Catcher Jeff Crinklaw (junior, Cambridge, Ont.) doubled as the Riverside Highlanders beat the Saint Mary's Gaels in the Riverside Invitational tournament before 280 fans at the Riverside Sports Complex in Riverside, Calif. The Highlanders, with the former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week watching, beat the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 12-3.
Left fielder Blake Denischuk (senior, Carstairs, Alta.) homered as the Arkansas State Indians suffered an 11-4 loss to the Lamar Cardinals before 573 fans at Tomlinson Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark. Denischuk singled in a 3-2 win over the Mississippi Rebels before 1,648 fans at Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss.
Reliever Roman Dubiel (sophomore, Longueuil, Que.) was roughed up as the Albany Great Danes dropped a 19-1 decision to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before 198 fans at Hooks Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. Dubiel allowed four hits and eighth runs -- seven earned -- while walking three.
Centre fielder Jean-Francois Dufour (sophomore, Beauharnois, Que.) doubled twice as the Saint Rose Knights edged West Virginia Wesleyan 6-4 before 150 fans at the Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Fla. Dufour drove in a run. Dufour went 3-for-3 as Saint Rose beat rival Rensselaer 6-4 before 150 fans. Dufour knocked in a run and scored twice. Dufour homered and knocked in a pair of runs in a 12-3 win over West Virginia Wesleyan. He also singled in a 4-3 win over West Virginia Wesleyan.
First baseman Craig Dziedziejko (senior, Kitchener, Ont.) hit a solo homer as the Marshall Thundering Herd lost 18-10 to the North Carolina State Wolfpack before 122 fans at the Clayton High School in Clayton, NC. Shortstop Mike Koitsopoulos (junior, Markham, Ont.) added two hits. Reliever Mike Marchyshyn (junior, Markham, Ont.) worked one inning allowing three hits and two runs. Koitsopoulos had two hits and Dziedziejko one in a 9-4 loss to NC State before 211 fans. Catcher Rich Russell (freshman, Toronto, Ont.) hit his second homer of the season in a 12-8 loss to West Virginia State before 105 fans at Calvin Bailey Field in Institute, W. Va. Russell drove in two runs. Koitsopoulos and Dziedziejko, with an RBI-double, each had a pair of hits. Koitsopoulos singled in 2-2, six-inning tie with West Virginia.
Third baseman Chad Elmy (junior, Saltcoats, Sask.) had a great week with a six game hitting streak for the Brescia Bearcats. Elmy tripled and homered in a 13-7 Brescia Bearcats loss to Lindsey Wilson at LWC Field in Columbia, Ky. Elmy went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs. Right-hander Bill Hadden (junior, Buckley Bay BC) took the loss allowing seven hits and 10 runs -- eight earned -- in 3 1/3 innings. Hadden walked two and fanned two. Elmy had two hits and knocked in a run in a 5-4 setback to Lindsey Wilson. Elmy drove in a pair of runs with a double and a single in an 8-6 win over Oakland City at The Ballpark in Owensboro, Ky. Elmy drove in two runs, had two hits, scored twice and stole a base in an 8-2 win over Iowa Wesleyan at Owensboro. Elmy doubled twice and drove in three runs. Elmy singled in a 10-4 win over Iowa Wesleyan. Hadden pitched two innings allowing a base hit an an unearned run, while fanning two.
Second baseman Chris Falls (junior, Calgary, Alta.) singled in the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 14-7 loss to the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans before 124 fans at Curran-Conway Field in Little Rock, Ark.
Reliever Justin Farina (junior, Sarnia, Ont.) had a scoreless outing in the Miami of Ohio Red Hawks 10-4 loss to the Yale Bulldogs before 109 fans at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Farina pitched the seventh and eighth innings allowing three hits, walking one and striking out two. Farnia allowed two hits and two runs -- one earned in 1 1/3 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys before 1,457 fans at Allie Reynolds Memorial Stadium in Stillwater, Oak.
Right-hander Nino Fasulo (sophomore, Smithville, Ont.) turned in an outstanding performance working 8 1/3 as the Charleston Southern Buccaneers were edged 3-2 by the Charleston Cougars in the CSU tourney in 12 innings before 322 fans at Patriots Point Field in Mt. Pleasant, SC. innings allowing three hits and two runs -- one earned -- walking four and striking out two. Reliever Brad Bissell (sophomore, Penetang, Ont.) was charged with the loss thanks to an error Bissell allowed one hit, the unearned run and fanned one. He falls to 1-4 with the loss. Bissell also started and lost as the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles beat 11-5 at Buccaneer Field. Bissell pitched two innings allowing five hits and six runs -- five earned -- walking one and striking out one.
Reliever Mark Ferguson (senior, Hamilton, Ont.) only faced three batters, but was charged with the defeat as the Charlotte 49ers were edged 3-2 by the Virginia Cavaliers before 136 fans at Davenport Field in Charlottesville, Va. Ferguson entered with two out and a man on first in the eighth and recorded the final out. Then, in the bottom of the ninth after a double, Virginia scored on a throwing error on a bunt. Ferguson worked 1/3 of an inning, allowing one hit and one unearned run. Ferguson is now 0-2. Ferguson pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing six hits and four runs -- the final four runs -- while walking one before 479 fans in an 11-5 loss to Virginia.
Right-hander Robbie Findlay (junior, Etobicoke, Ont.) was impressive in his first start for the Texas Christian Horned Frogs, but it took 10 innings to edge the Brigham Young Cougars 3-2, before 948 fans at Lupton Stadium and Williams-Reilly Field in Fort Worth, Tx. Findlay made the first start of his TCU career a memorable one, allowing an unearned run on five hits in five strong innings. Findlay was impressive in the Horned Frogs 10-6 loss to the Texas-Arlington Mavericks before 887 fans at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, Tx. Findlay allowed four hits and two runs -- one earned -- while walking one in 3 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Coogie Freedman (senior, Richmond Hill, Ont.) took the loss in an 11-8 Furman Paladins loss to the Winthrop Eagles in front of 658 fans at the Furman Baseball Stadium in Greeville, SC. Freedman allowed four hits and four runs, while walking two and fanning three. Freedman pitched one inning allowing three hits and two runs before 1,116 fans at Clements Field in Statesboro, Ga.
Right-hander Karl Gelinas (Freshmen, Iberville, Que.) picked up the win as the North Eastern Oklahoma A&M Norse bested the Rose State Raiders 19-10 at Rose State in Midwest City, Oak. Gelinas pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing nine hits and nine runs -- four earned -- while walking two and fanning nine. Gelinas increased his record to 2-0. Third baseman Matthew Bergeron (freshman, Trois-Rivieres, Que.) doubled in a a run. Bergeron also doubled in a 7-2 win over Rose State at Midwest City. Catcher Corey Stang (sophomore, Surrey BC) and Bergeron each had two hits and an RBI in a 12-4 win over Rose State at Homa Thomas Field in Miami, Oak. Stang added a double. Right-hander Etienne Ratte-Delorme (freshman, St-Hubert, Que.) started for NEO, but was not involved in the decision as NEO scored two in their final at-bat for a 9-7 win over Rose State. Ratte-Delorme pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing six hits and seven runs, while walking two and fanning five.
Rob Gillis (sophomore, Dartmouth, NS) had a run-scoring single for the Longwood Lancers in a 16-3 loss to the Pittsburgh-Johnstown Mountain Cats at Lancer Stadium in Farmville, Va. Gillis had a pair of hits, including a triple in a 13-5 win over Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Gillis also had an RBI single in a 6-5 loss to the Pfeiffer Falcons at Farmville. Right-hander Evan Weinstein (junior Toronto, Ont.) took the complete-game mound loss, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs with one strikeout. Weinstein is now 1-1. Gillis doubled and had two RBIs in a 5-4 win over Southern Virginia. Gillis is hitting .318, with a homer and 11 RBIs.
Reliever Billy Gorrell (senior, Calgary, Alta.) had a scoreless outing in the Washington State Cougars 8-1 to the Washington Huskies in front of 411 fans at the Husky Ballpark in Seattle, Wash. Gorrell worked 1 1/3 innings allowing one hit and a walk. Right-hander Karl Mejlholm (freshman, Nanaimo, BC) took the loss, allowing five hits and five runs in 3 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out three. Mejlholm's record fell to 1-2.
Catcher Bob Grant (junior, Denfield Ont.) had two hits in the Northern Colorado Bears 10-6 loss to the No. 16-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers at Larks Park in Hays, Kan.
Third baseman Dan Grant (junior, Thunder Bay, Ont.) drove in a run in a 9-7 Northern Iowa Panthers win over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in front of 196 fans at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Ky.
Right-hander Tim Grant (junior, Vancouver, BC) had a solid first inning as the Dartmouth Big Green rallied to beat the Villanova Wildcats 6-4 in the Hughes Brothers Baseball Challenge at Brooks Field in Wilmington, NC. Grant worked six innings allowed seven hits and four runs -- two earned -- while fanning two. Grant left with Dartmouth trailing 4-2, but the Big Green scored four in the eighth for the win. Lefty Andrew Brown (sophomore, Port Dover, Ont.) started in the other game as Dartmouth lost 12-10 to UNC Wilmington. Brown pitched three innings allowing nine hits and six runs, walking one and striking out three.
Centre fielder Thomas Grubb (senior, Wheatley, Ont.) had two hits and knocked in the only run for the Central Michigan Chippewas in a 2-1 loss in the Kennel Club Classic tournament to the Eastern Illinois Panthers before 150 fans at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Grubb doubled, singled and drove in a run. Second baseman David Latour (sophomore, Barrie, Ont.) singled for CMU. Central Michigan finished their spring trip with a 2-5 record and was 1-3 in the tourney.
First baseman Matt Gunning (junior, Victoria, BC) tripled and doubled in the 10-4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers win over the Northern Iowa Panthers before 164 fans at at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Ky. Gunning went 3-for-5 and knocked in three runs. Gunning, had a pair of hits in a 9-7 loss to Northern Iowa. Reliever Igor Roiberg (junior, Toronto, Ont.) pitched two scoreless innings as the Hilltoppers lot 5-4 to Northern Iowa in front of 332 fans. Rioberg allowed only one base runner on a walk. Gunning added a single. After his impressive relief performance, Rioberg was given the start in an 18-1 loss to the Louisville Cardinals in front of 374 fans at Cardinals Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Roiberg lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and eight runs -- five earned -- walking one and fanning one.
First baseman Ryan Hay (senior, St. Catharines, Ont.) homered in an 11-5 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneer in the CSU tourney at Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC. Hay also drove in a pair of runs. Hay was 3-for-4 in a 9-3 Tech win over the Brown Bears. Hay singled in a 3-1 victory over Brown as Tech finished the tourney 3-0. Hay had three hits, including a double, and drove in a run in a 7-5 loss to the No. 18-ranked Clemson Tigers before 2,584 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, SC. Hay singled in an 8-0 loss to Clemson, before 2,918.
Right-hander Matt Hochevar (junior, Perkinsfield, Ont.) ended with Montreat Cavaliers seven-game losing streak pitching an 18-6 win against Alabama A & M, an NCAA Division I school. Hochevar went seven plus innings to pick up his first career win for Montreat. Outielder Jeremiah Siemens (sophomore, Dunnville, Ont.) had three hits, including two doubles, as Montreat beat Shorter 13-3 in Rome, Ga. Siemens singled in a 12-10 loss to Trevecca Nazarene.
Shortstop Tim Hinchliffe (senior, London, Ont.) went 3-for-3, with a pair of stolen bases, as the Ashland Eagles scored a 20-3 win over the South Dakota Coyotes at the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers. Hinchliffe had another three-hit game, going 3-for-4 in Ashland's 13-9 loss to the Mansfield Mounties at Fort Myers. Hinchliffe continued his hot hitting by knocking in three runs with a pair of hits in a 14-2 win over Winona State.
First baseman Cam Houston (junior, Spruce Grove, Alta.) had two hits and a pair of RBIs as the No. 16-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers beat Washburn 10-3 at Falley Field in Topeka, Kan. Houston doubled and singled. Houston singled in a 6-5 win over Washburn. Houston singled, drove in a run and scored twice in an 8-1 win over Northern Colorado at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. Houston, a former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week, knocked in a run in a 20-2 victory over Northern Colorado.
Third baseman A.J. Howes (freshman, Medicine Hat, Alta.) singled in the Centenary Gents 14-0 win over the Morris Brown Wolverines at Shehee Stadium in Shreveport, La.
Right fielder John Hurd (sophomore, Fruitvale, BC) singled and drove in a run as the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles beat Treasure Valley 5-0. Hurd also stole two bases.
Reliever David Jablonski (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) made his debut in a 17-5 Charleston Cougars win over the Wofford Terriers before 463 fans at Duncan Park Spartanburg, SC. He pitched two innings allowing four hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out one.
Left fielder Kareem Johnson (senior, Trail, BC) homered as the British Columbia Thunder Birds beat Saint Mary's 10-5 in the Lewis-Clark State College/Guardian Plumbing, Heating & A/C tournament at Harris Field in Lewiston, Id. Johnson drove in three runs. Catcher Ian Prescott (sophomore, Barrie, Ont.) had a huge day, going 3-for-4, including a double, with three RBIs. Right fielder Sean Dyck (senior, Kamloops, BC) singled twice, drove in a run and stole a base. Third baseman Trevor Rurak (senior, Burnaby BC) had a pair of hits, including a double and he drove in a run. DH Waleed Elabed (senior, Brampton, Ont.) singled and drove in a run for the T-Birds, while pinch hitter Mark Capone (freshman, Etobicoke, Ont.) doubled in a run. Right-hander Dave Roberts (junior, North Delta, BC) pitched five innings allowing five hits and one run, while walking one and striking out four. Reliever Dan Osachoff (sophomore, Surrey, BC) worked 3 2/3 innings allowing two hits, while walking two and fanning three. Shortstop Davey Wallace (freshman, Toronto, Ont.), first baseman Ben Herman (senior, Sherwood Park, Alta.), Prescott, who added a double, and Elabed each had two hits in a 5-1 loss to the Lewis-Clark State Warriors. Johnson drove in the only run. Right-hander Brooks McNiven (senior, Vernon, BC) pitched seven innings allowing seven hits and one run, but received a no decision. McNiven walked three and fanned nine. Reliever Cory Stuart (sophomore, White Rock, BC) took the loss, allowing two hits and a walk.
Right-hander Andrew Karkoulas (sophomore, Guelph, Ont.) had another stellar outing in the New York Tech Bears 3-1 loss to the Mississippi Rebels before 1,754 fans at Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss. Karkoulas gave up a two-spot in the second inning and that was it. He allowed eight hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out four. Karkoulas threw 96 pitches, 55 for strikes. Karkoulas lowered his ERA to 1.74, as he fell to 0-1.
Brandon Kaye (senior, Saltspring Island, BC) went 3-for-4 in a 12-0 Oklahoma City Stars win over Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers. Kaye knocked in a run in a 5-2 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State. Kaye knocked in a run in a 2-1 win over the Rangers. Kaye doubled in a 4-1 win. Kaye hit a two-run homer in an 11-7 loss to Bacone. Right-hander Kevin Cheppenko (junior, Thunder Bay, Ont.) picked up his his third win in a 5-4 win over Bacone. Kaye owns a .480 average with a double, five homers and 12 RBIs.
Right-hander Matt Kniginyzky (junior, Mississauga, Ont.) dominated the Bufffalo Bills to record his first win as the High Point Panthers beat UB 6-1 before 122 fans at Erath Field in High Point, NC. Kniginyzky came within an out of a complete game, working 8 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and one unearned run. He walked one and fanned eight. Besides his eight strike outs, Kniginyzky recorded 11 outs on ground balls, six on fly balls and a runner was thrown out attempting to steal. After a lead-off single, a strike out, a fly ball and another single in the ninth, Kniginyzky's day was one. Kniginyzky now has a 1-3 record for the Panthers.
Right-hander Benjamin Krantz (senior, Toronto, Ont.) took the loss as the Pennsylvania Quakers were beaten 8-4 by the Fresno State Bulldogs in the opener at the 2003 Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic in front of 2,788 fans at Pete Beiden Field in Fresno, Calif. Krantz pitched five innings, allowing 10 hits and seven runs -- four earned -- while walking two and striking out six.
Right fielder David Lamky (junior, Cambridge, Ont.) went 4-for-4 the Northwood 19-7 triumph over Davis & Elkins at the Lawnwood Complex in Fort Pierce, Fla. Lamky had four singles, drove in a run and scored four times. Lamky singled in a 12-4 setback to St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Pierce.
Outfielder Sean Latimer (freshman, London, Ont.) singled at the Barton Bulldogs beat the Mount Olive Trojans 11-4 at the Barton Athletic Complex in Wilson NC. Latimer singled to right field in the second and came around to score, as he did in the fourth on a wild pitch. Latimer hit a two-run double as Barton dropped a 13-11 decision to Mount Olive in 11 innings.
Right fielder Kyle Leon (senior, Guelph, Ont.) homered but the Alabama at Birmingham Blazers dropped a 14-13 decision to the Louisiana-Monroe Indians before 489 fans at Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Ala. Leon was a perfect 3-for-3, with two singles and a two-run homer, his fourth. Leon singled and drove in a pair of runs as UAB edged Louisiana-Monroe 6-4 before 411 fans. The former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week also drove in a run with a fly ball.
Catcher Chris Leroux (freshman, Mississauga, Ont.) hit a solo homer in the 11-8 Winthrop Eagles win over the Furman Paladins before 658 fans at the Furman Baseball Stadium in Greeville, SC. Leroux also singled. Reliever Ryan Chenard (senior, Port Alberni, BC) retired the only man he face. Chenard allowed four hits and three runs in a 10-2 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers before 7,164 fans at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge La.
Left-hander Adam Loewen (freshman, Surrey, BC) gained his second win as the Chipola Indians beat Meridian 11-1 at Marianna, Fla. Loewen worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings of hitless ball. He walked one and fanned eight. Loewen hasn't allowed a run in 11 2/3 innings and surrendered two hits and three walks while striking out 16. Loewen also added a single, a double and an RBI, while batterymate Cole Armstrong (catcher, Surrey, BC) doubled and drove in two runs. Loewen hit two doubles and drove in a run in a 12-2 win over Florissant Valley at Marianna. Armstrong added an RBI single. And Loewen stole a base in a 4-2 loss to Middle Georgia at Cochran, Ga. Armstrong singled and drove in a run in the Indians 13-9 win over Pearl River.
Reliever Jon Lockwood (junior, Toronto, Ont.) had a scoreless outing as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs dropped a 12-0 loss to the No. 1-ranked Rice Owls before 827 fans at J.C. Love Field in Ruston, La. Lockwood worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings allowing three hits and fanning one.
Catcher Jeff Martin (junior, Burlington, Ont.) slugged his fourth homer of the season as the Northwestern State Deamons beat the Houston Cougars 6-4 before 993 fans at Cougar Field in Houston, Tx. Martin homered to left on a 1-1 pitch in the first inning to help the Demons score four times in the first inning. However, Northwestern State needed two runs in the top of the ninth for the win. Martin also had a pair of hits and an RBI as the Demons edged Houston 3-0 before 794 fans. Martin hit a 1-2 pitch in the first inning to drive in the the second run for the Demons.
Reliever Wes Matthews (senior, Milton, Ont.) was roughed up in the 19-0 Southern Utah Thunderbirds loss at Arizona State in the Arizona State/Bob Schaefer Memorial Classic before 2,632 fans at Packard Stadium in Tempe, Az. Matthews allowed four hits and three runs in 1/3 of an inning.
DH Scott McGuigan (freshman, Cedar Springs, Ont.) drove in a run in the Butler Bulldogs 13-4 loss to the Xavier Muskateers at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tenn.
Outfielder Josh McCurdy (senior, Toronto, Ont.) homered in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Niagara Purple Eagles to a 5-2 win over Army Cadets at Wilson, NC. After a lead-off infield single, the runner advanced to second when Vince Ircandia (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) and another batter reached on a two-out error. Thus the stage was set for McCurdy's walk off home run to right field. Ircandia and McCurdy both went 2-for-5. Reliever Christopher Cerchie (sophomore, LaSalle Ont.) shut the West Point Cadets down in the top of the ninth and earned the win for the Purple Eagles. Mike Radanovic (freshman, Surrey, BC) received the no-decision but put up his third strong showing of the year. Radanovic threw scoreless ball for the Purple Eagles until he allowed a homer. McCurdy also homered over the left field wall in a 6-5 loss to Army. McCurdy's homer scored Ircandia, who singled earlier in the inning. Reed Eastley (sophomore, Brandon, Man.) doubled in a run and then homered. Eastley went 2-for-2, while McCurdy was 2-for-3, with a pair of RBIs. Right-hander James Avery (freshman, Moose Jaw, Sask.) took the loss.
Third baseman Ryan McKinnon (sophomore, Stoney Creek, Ont.) tripled and drove in two runs as the Louisville Cardinals were doubled 18-9 by the Illinois Fighting Illini before 249 fans at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Right-hander Mike Tisdale (senior, Peterborough, Ont.) had a rough start for the Cardinals, but did not figure in the decision. Tisdale pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing seven runs and seven hits, while walking two and striking out three. McKinnon was 5-for-15 with a team-high five RBIs last week. McKinnon was hitless but scored two Louisville runs in an 11-3 loss to the Illini before 345 fans. Reliever Jonathan Harbridge (freshman, Orillia, Ont.) worked five innings after Illinois scored a six-spot in the second. He allowed five hits and three runs, walking one and fanning four. McKinnon went 3-for-5, with three RBIs in a 6-1 win over the 19th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers 6-1 before 1,010 fans at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. McKinnon singled in the opener, an 18-2 loss to Tennessee before 1,018 fans. McKinnon also had two hits in a Louisville 18-1 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers before 374 fans in Louisville.
Catcher Justin Miller (senior, Sherwood Park, Alta.) singled as the South Dakota Coyotes edged the Missouri-St. Louis Rivermen 6-5 in the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Miller also singled and called the signals as South Dakota allowed one hit in a 3-1 win over Southwest State.
Catcher Mike Mitrevski (senior, Windsor, Ont.) hit a solo homer as the Detroit Titans edged Mount St. Mary's 6-5 in 10 innings at Homestead Field in Homestead, Fla. Mitrevski hit a solo homer in the third inning. DH Dustin Wiley (junior, Windsor, Ont.) added a double. Right-hander Michael Girimonte (senior, Windsor, Ont.) started but did not receive the decision. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, while walking three and striking out three. Second baseman Jason Chapieski (freshman, Windsor, Ont.) singled and stole a base as Detroit lost 8-0 to the Pittsburgh Panthers. Girimonte pitched five innings and took the loss, allowing five hits and four runs -- two earned -- while fanning two and striking out four. Rob Galbraith (freshman, Kingsville, Ont.) pitched three innings, allowing four walks and striking out one. DH Mitrevski singled and knocked in a run, while catcher Wiley doubled in a 9-3 loss to the Sacred Heart Patriots at Homestead. Left-hander Joel Donlon (sophomore, Windsor, Ont.) pitched five innings allowing four hits and two runs, while walking three and fanning two. He did not figure in the decision. Mitrevski singled in a 15-0 loss to Pittsburgh. Right-hander Adam Myers (freshman, Tecumseh, Ont.) took the loss, pitching two innings, allowing five five hits and six runs, while walking two. Galbraith pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing eight hits and seven runs -- six earned -- while walking one and striking out one. Chapieski tripled, singled and drive in a run in a 3-1 setback to Sacred Hart. Catcher Wiley added a single. Chapieski doubled and drove in a run in an 8-5 Seton Hall Pirates before 123 fans at Homestead. Mitrevski singled for the Titans. Donlon started and allowed three hits, three runs and three walks in one inning, while reliever Myers pitched four innings allowing four hits and two runs, while walking three and fanning one. Myers was saddled with the loss falling to 0-2. Wiley had a pair of hits and stole a base as Detroit beat Mount St. Mary's 3-2 in the Papa John's Homestead Challenge at Homestead. Chapieski singled and stole a pair of bases. In the other game, Detroit lost 14-3 to the Purdue Boilermakers. Mitrevski was 2-for-2 for Detroit, while Chapieski. Reliever Donlon worked three innings allowing three hits and two unearned runs, while fanning three. Detroit finished its spring trip 2-6.
Right-hander Curtis Morrison (junior, Brandon, Man.) continued to be a dominant force for the No. 7-ranked Armstrong Atlantic Pirates. Morris picked up his fifth win of the season in a 2-1 win over Augusta State in the Savannah Invitational before 179 fans at Pirate Field in Savannah, Ga. Morrison, a former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week, pitched seven innings allowing two hits and one unearned run, while walking four and striking out eight. DH Jeremy Lendvoy (freshman, Langley, BC) doubled for the Pirates. Reliever Brian Dice (junior, Ladysmith, BC) pitched two innings in Armstrong Atlantic's 16-1 romp over No. 23-ranked Southern Illinois Edwardsville at Savannah, before 184 fans. Dice allowed two hits and one run, while striking out one.
Right fielder Adam Morton (sophomore, Toronto, Ont.) drove in a pair of runs as the Wright State Raiders lost 10-8 to the Murray State Thoroughbreds at Reagan Field in Murray, Ky. Morton did the damage with his second double of the season. Left fielder Kofi Gyimah (senior, Woodbridge, Ont.) and Morton each singled in an 18-1 loss to Murray State before 156 fans.
Third baseman Ivan Naccarata (junior, Longeuil, Que.) homered as the No. 16th-ranked Louisiana State Tigers roughed up the Winthrop Eagles 11-1 before 7,957 fans at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge La. Naccarata, who also singled, hit his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, to right field on a 1-2 pitch in the eighth inning. Naccarata singled and doubled as LSU scored three times in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 win over Winthrop before 7,040. With two out and the Eagles and out away from the win a walk and a homer, make it a one-run game. Then, Naccarata doubled to right center on an 0-1 pitch. After an intentional walk and a walk, he trotted home with the winner when the next hitter was struck with a pitch. Naccarata also singled and scored twice as LSU beat Winthrop 10-2 before 7,164 fans. LSU swept the three-game series. Naccarata singled as the No. 21-ranked Tulane Green Wave beat LSU 5-4 in 11 innings before 10,870 fans at Zephyr Field in Metairie, La.
Reliever Nat Ogborne (junior, Pickering, Ont.) worked two innings as the Liberty Flames upset the No. 14-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6-5 before 223 fans at Lynchburg, Va. Ogborne took over in the second inning with a 2-1 lead. Ogborne pitched two innings, allowing two hits, two runs and walking one and striking out one. Ogborne also pitched a scoreless inning as Liberty lost 8-3 to the Georgia Bulldogs before 1,856 fans at Athens, Ga. Ogborne walked a pair. Ogborne had a scoreless outing in a 14-5 loss to Georgia before 1,943 fans. He entered the game with Liberty trailing 5-3, worked 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit. Georgia scored nine runs in its final two at-bats.
Right fielder Harpreet Padda (junior, Mississauga, Ont.) had three hits as the Canisius Golden Griffs lost 21-8 Central Connecticut Blue Devils at Long/Mauck in Harrisonburg, Va. Padda had a pair of doubles, a single and knocked in two runs. Catchers Matt Van Geene (senior, Barrie, Ont.) and Adam Montgomery (sophomore, Virgil, Ont.) each had a hit. Right-hander Rowan Lam (sophomore, Glencoe, Ont.) took the loss allowing 12 hits and 13 runs -- 10 earned -- in 3 1/3 innings, while walking two and fanning four. Padda singled and centre fielder Ishmael Cox (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) drove in a run in a 9-4 loss to Central Connecticut. Right-hander Jordan Neufeld (freshman, Barrie Ont.) took the loss, allowing nine hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out three. Padda drove in two runs with a pair of hits as the James Madison Dukes beat Canisius 13-3 at Harrisonburg before 219 fans. Van Geene and Cox each singled. Cox had a pair of hits and Van Geene one in a 22-7 loss to James Madison before 146 fans. Right-hander Ryan Topping (senior, Niagara Falls, Ont.) took the loss, allowing 13 hits and 13 runs -- 12 earned -- while walking four and striking out two.
Right-hander Derek Papp (sophomore, Windsor, Ont.) picked up his first win of the season as the Judson Eagles beat Union 8-2 at Homestead, Fla. Papp pitched a complete-game, allowing two runs, and four hits, while striking out four.
Third baseman Brad Pickering (senior, Port Hope, Ont.) homered in the Mercyhurst Lakers 26-8 loss to Northwest Missouri before 100 fans in the 2003 Savannah Invitational in Savannah, Ga. Pickering was 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
Second baseman Eugene Repa (junior, Stoney Creek, Ont.) singled and drove in a run in a 9-6 loss to Northwest Missouri before 100 fans, while Pickering singled.
Third baseman Jeremy Procyshen (junior, Saskatoon, Sask.) singled and drove in a run in a 13-6 Olivet Nazarene Tigers loss to the Dakota Wesleyan Tiger at the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Playing shortstop Procyshen singled in Oliver Nazarene's 5-3 win over the Dakota State Trojans.
Left-hander Stefan Prostran (sophomore, Oakville, Ont.) pitched a complete game in the Cerro Coso Coyotes 16-5 win over Antelope Valley. Prostran struck out 12 batters and gave up two earned runs.
DH Judson Reidel (senior, Waterloo, Ont.) hit a solo homer as the Tri-State Thunder dropped a 9-7 decision against the Lynn Knights. Reidel had two hits and an RBI in a 6-5 loss to the Northwood Seahawks. Reidel doubled in a run as the Thunder lost a 12-4 decision to the Palm Beach Sailfish at Palm Beach Atlantic.
Pinch hitter Rob Recuenco (sophomore, Vancouver, BC) singled as the Oregon State Beavers fell to the Washington Huskies before 581 fans at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field in Corvallis, Ore.
Right-hander Ryan Reid (junior, Sarnia, Ont.) didn't get much support, but he pitched well enough to give the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals a 1-0 win over the Bloomsburg Huskies at Academy Park in Bradenton, Fla. Reid pitched a complete-game, eight-inning shutout, allowing five hits, while walking two and striking out three. The game was scoreless in the bottom of the eighth when the first two Cardinals runners reached on a walk and a hit batter. Shortstop Sean Odamura (senior Mississauga, Ont.) drew a walk, loading the bases. After failed suicide-squeeze and a walk, Saginaw succeeded with a squeeze the Cardinals only hit of the game. Reid, who worked four innings in Saginaw's 20-5 win over Saint Anselm, is now 2-0. Reid lowered his season ERA to 2.95. Right-hander Scott Corby (senior, London, Ont.) pitched Saginaw to an 8-0 win over Edinboro at Bradenton. Corby went to 2-0 going the distance, allowing two hits, while walking two and fanning four. Odamura knocked in a run. First baseman Adam Piggott (junior, Sarnia, Ont.) had a pair of hits and knocked in a run in a 10-7 loss to Edinboro. Piggott doubled as Saginaw Valley dropped a 3-2 decision to Slippery Rock at Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, while Odamura stole a base. Saginaw closed out its annual spring trip with a 9-2 record. Over the past four seasons SVSU has compiled a 41-18 record in the annual trips to Florida.
Left fielder Andy Rempel (senior, Abbotsford, BC) and first baseman Kevin Wolfe (freshman, Willowdale, Ont.) each had a pair of hits as the Purdue Boilermakers hammered the Kentucky Bad Cats 16-2 before 240 fans at at Cliff Hagan Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Wolfe also knocked in a run. Rempel, a former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week, also stole a base. Wolfe singled in a 2-1 loss to Kentucky.
Lefty Luis Roberts (freshman, Dartmouth, NS) threw an impressive one-hitter as the Prairie Baseball Academy Prairie Dawgs beat Blue Mountain 5-1. Roberts had 10 strike-outs. Kevin Gregus (sophomore, Lethbridge, Alta.) led the Dawgs at the plate with a double and a single.
Catcher Chris Robinson (freshman, Dorchester, Ont.) had a pair of hits as the Illinois Fighting Illini beat up on the Louisville Cardinals before 249 fans at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky. Robinson also knocked in a run. Robinson also singled in Illinois' 1-0 loss to Louisville, before 321 fans, the Illini's first loss of the season, after three straight wins.
Left fielder Ryan Roeder (sophomore, Waterloo, Ont.) drove in five runs in the No. 24-ranked Lander Senators 13-1 triumph over the Jamestown Jimmies at Legion Field in Greenwood, SC. Roeder hit a three-run homer and a two-run double.
Greg Ross (senior, Spruce Grove, Alta.), Jordan Blundell (junior, Edmonton, Alta.) and Scott Wallis (junior, Campbell River, BC) had two hits apiece to lead the Jamestown Jimmies to a 9-8 victory over the No. 24-ranked Lander Senators at Legion Field in Greenwood, SC. Ross drove in three runs, while Blundell and Wallis both scored three times. "Lander is one of the best Division II teams in South Carolina and we were pretty excited about beating them," said coach Tom Hager, of the NAIA Jimmies. Reliever Adam Walton (junior, Quesnel, BC) picked up the save. Right-hander Graeme Lehman (senior, Edmonton, Alta.) took the loss in the other game of the doubleheader, a 10-1 loss to Lander. Right-hander Geoff White (junior, Kelowna, BC) pitched five strong innings in a 2-1 win over North Greenville. White allowed two hits with five strikeouts in his first start. Walton worked the seventh for the save. Blundell had two hits in the opener a 7-0 win over North Greenville. Ross had two of the JC's four hits. Jamestown scored twice in the top of the ninth for a 7-6 win. With two men on in the ninth, Wallis grounded out to first and they scored on a single by Blundell. Walton pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first victory of the season. Blundell finished 3-for-4. Blundell had two hits in nitecap, a 9-6 win over Presbyterian. Wallis homered and Ross singled twice in a 7-2 win to Lander. Wallis' had two hits in the nitecap, a 13-1 Lander win, including a home run in the top of the sixth. Blundell had two hits as well. White took the loss. The Jimmies went 6-2 on the road trip and are 8-2 overall.
Left fielder Adam Salter (junior, Ottawa, Ont.) had four hits to help power the Tennnessee-Martin Skyhawks in a 14-8 loss to the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Skyhawk Field in Martin, Tenn. Salter singled three times and tripled, while driving in a pair of runs. Salter singled and drove in a run as Tennessee-Martin beat the Lions 22-6 before 106 fans. Salter singled and drove in a run in a 13-12 loss to Southeastern Louisiana, as the two teams scored a total of five runs in extra innings. Salter singled and scored in Tennessee-Martin's 9-3 loss to the Birmingham-Southern Panthers before 145 at Scrushy-Striplin) in Birmingham, Ala.
Left fielder Michael Schlekewy (junior, Calgary, Alta.) doubled and knocked in two runs as the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beat the Morris Brown Wolverines 13-3 before 225 fans at at Islander Field in Corpus Christi, Tex. Schlekewy went 2-for-4 on the day with two RBIs thanks to his seventh double of the season. Again Schlekewy doubled and drove in a run as A&M-Corpus Christi beat Morris Brown 14-4. Schlekewy doubled again to knock in two runs in a 9-8 loss to Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Roadrunner Field in San Antonio, Tx.
Second baseman T.J. Shimizu (sophomore, Toronto, Ont.) had a perfect day at the plate but it was not enough to prevent the Salem International Tigers from going down to an 11-5 defeat to Concordia-St. Paul at the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers. Shimizu tripled, doubled and singled, while knocking in a pair of runs and stealing a base. Right fielder John Hull (junior, East York, Ont.) added a double, while centre fielder Kael Racioppa (senior, Pickering, Ont.) singled, drove in a run and stole two bases. Shortstop David Parsons (sophomore, Gander, Nfld.) also had a base hit. Hull was 2-for-2 with an RBI in an 8-3 loss to Concordia-St. Paul. Hull doubled, singled and knocked in a run in an 8-3 loss to Concordia-St. Paul. Right-hander Justin Bartkiewicz (senior, Dundas, Ont.) took the loss working six innings and allowing 11 hits and eight runs while walking three and fanning four. Third baseman Ryan Crotin (junior, Whitby, Ont.) doubled, as did Shizmu, who knocked in a run and along with Parsons, stole a base. First baseman Andrew Palmer (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) hit a solo homer and singled for SIU in a 5-2 loss to the Missouri-St. Louis Rivermen. DH Parsons also had a pair of hits, while catcher Drew Roberts (senior, Pickering, Ont.) singled home a run. Shortstop Shawn Scott (junior, Windsor, Ont.), Hull, Crotin and Racioppa also had hits. Scott, with a triple and a double, Racioppa, Parsons and Crotin, with a double, all had two hits in a 7-6, extra-inning loss to Missouri-St. Louis. Shimizu tripled in a run, while other RBIs went to left fielder Jeff MacLeod (junior, Milton, Ont.), Shimizu, Parsons, Crotin and Racioppa. Right-hander Mark Garrard (senior, Port Hope, Ont.) pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing seven hits and six runs -- five earned -- while walking three and fanning seven. Reliever Jason Ulmer (sophomore, Nepean, Ont.) pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run, while walking four and fanning two. With Tanner Hill (junior, Stoney Creek, Ont.) behind the plate, Bartkiewicz beat the Lock Haven Eagles 10-2. Bartkiewicz worked six innings allowing two walks and fanning nine. The Bald Eagles edged SIU 2-1 in the final game of the Tigers spring trip.
Left-hander Darcy Sidhoo (sophomore, Coquitlam, BC) threw a complete game to give the Dickinson State Blue Hawks a 3-2 win over St. Mary's at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Sidhoo allowed only one earned run while striking out two. The Hawks trailed 2-0 in the sixth when Derek Houle (senior, Regina, Sask.) hit a two-run, inside-the-park homerun to tie the game. Houle was 2-for-3 at the plate. Houle also had two hits in the opener, a 7-3 loss to St. Mary's. Trevor Dahlman (senior, Moose Jaw, Sask.) and Houle each had a pair of hits in a 7-6, extra-inning loss to the Macalester Scots at the MetroDome. Houle was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Dahlman was 2-for-4 with a double. The Blue Hawks had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Garett Olver (senior, Saskatoon, Sask.) came up with a runner on third base, the score tied 6-6, with two outs. Olver hit a line drive in the hole that the Macalester shortstop snagged sending the game into extra innings.
Reliever Phil Sobkow (junior, Calder, Sask.) pitched a scoreless innings as the Central Missouri State Mules beat Metro State 13-4 in CMS/Holiday Inn Express Classic.at Crane Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo. Sobkow allowed one hit.
Third baseman Russ Smithson (freshman, Port Coquitlam, BC) was hot as as a Jalapeno a week ago, but now he has been upgraded to Habanero pepper status as the El Paso Tejanos swept Howard in a four game series. In El Paso's 15-7 win, Smithson hit a lead-off single in the third, a two-run double in the sixth, a two-out double in the eighth and a two out, two-run home run in the ninth to go 4-for-6. Smithson went 3-for-4 in the 12-1 win over Howard as he hit a lead-off double, a two-run single in the second, a 2-run single in the fourth, a scoring fly ball in the fifth. Smithson was again 3-for-4 in El Paso's 16-1 win as he had an RBI single in the third, doubled in the fifth and singled in the sixth. Once again, he was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Smithson was hitless in the opener, a 4-3 win. On the the series, Smithson was 10-for-17, with team highs in hits (10), total bases (17), doubles (four), average (.588) and slugging percentage (1.000) and RBIs (nine). Smithson sits second in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference batting race with a .526 average. He has 10 doubles, four homers and 20 RBIs.
Shortstop Matt Spatafora (junior, Toronto, Ont.) homered in the Arkansas Little Rock Trojans 22-6 romp over the Western Illinois Leathernecks before 216 fans at Curran-Conway Field in Little Rock, Ark. In all, Spatafora went 4-for-6 with two RBIs. Spatafora singled in a 9-1 win over Western Illinois in the second game of a doubleheader. Spatafora singled and drove in a run in an 11-5 loss to Western Illinois before 189 fans. Spatafora singled and scored in a 7-1 loss to the Northwestern State Demons before 174 fans at Brown-Stroud Field in Natchitoches, La. Spatafora singled and knocked in a run in the Trojans 14-7 over the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils before 124 fans at Little Rock. Spatafora doubled in a 10-9 win over Mississippi Valley State and singled in a 7-0 win over the Devils.
Outfielder Adwin Springer (freshman, Toronto, Ont.) looked like a three-year letterman as the Wayne State Warriors competed in the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. After an 0-2 start, Spring homered to help Warrior head coach Jay Alexander earn his first career win with a 11-4 victory over Stonehill. Springer was 3-for-4 performance, which included a two-run, first-inning home run, a two-run RBI single, and a walk. "I believe that Adwin is accepting the challenge and I believe he is going to continue to improve on his current success," Alexander said. Springer's homer was his second of the trip. Springer went 2-for-3, including a double, in a 12-11 in the opener of a doubleheader. Infielder Frank Jeney (sophomore, Windsor, Ont.) knocked in a run in the nitecap, a 10-7 Wayne State win. Jeney had a pair of hits in a 7-2 win over the West Liberty Hilltoppers. And Jeney was at it again in the nitecap, an 8-7 Wayne State win. Jeney then saved the win with a diving play up the middle turning a potential single, with two outs and the bases loaded, into the final out. "Jeney's play was hands down the play of the day and it came at the perfect time," assistant coach Ryan Kelley said.
Reliever Braden Staranchuk (junior, Burlington, Ont.) had an impressive outing as the Georgia State Panthers edged the Maine Black Bears 4-3 at DeKalb South Field Atlanta, Ga. Staranchuk allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out one.
Catcher Adam Strongman (freshman, Caledonia, Ont.) had a pair of hits and drove in a run as the No. 29-ranked USC Aiken Pacers beat the Bellarmine Nights 13-9 at J.H. Satcher Field Aiken, SC. Shortstop Ian Kowalchuk (freshman, St. Catharines, Ont.) drove in a run in UCS Aiken's 13-2 win over Bellarmine.
Shortstop Josiah Stroup (senior, Chilliwack, BC) homered in the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers 12-6 win over the Malone Pioneers at the 14th Annual Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Stroup drove in a pair of runs. Stroup had a pair of hits and an RBI in a 4-1 Dakota Wesleyan win over Point Park Pioneers. Stroup doubled and drove in a run in a 4-3 loss to Malone. Stroup went 4-for-4 in Dakota Wesleyan's 13-6 triumph over the Olivet Nazarene Tigers. First baseman Nick Gianou (freshman, Toronto Ont.) singled and drove in a run for the Tigers. Stroup singled and knocked in a run as the Tigers beat the Sheandoah Hornets 11-10. Stroup doubled in a run in a 13-9 victory over the Concordia-Michigan Cardinals.
Third baseman Kevin Sytko (senior, Surrey, BC) singled and stole a base as the South Alabama Jaguars beat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 8-0 before 930 fans at Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala.
Left-hander Drew Taylor (sophomore, High Park, Ont.) didn't pick up the win but his Michigan Wolverines were 16-12 winners over the Oklahoma Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park before 773 fans in Norman, Okla. Taylor was pitching into the fifth with the score tied 3-3 before Oklahoma erupted for an eight-run explosion. Taylor worked 4 1/3 innings allowing seven hits and six runs, while walking two and striking out one. Oklahoma struck back with its own eight-run inning
Left-hander Matt Tjart (freshman, Wyevale, Ont.) made his first collegiate start a memorable one. Tjart pitched six innings in the Tusculum Pioneers 16-4 victory over the Lincoln Memorial Splitters at at Lamar Hennon Field in Harrogate, Tenn. Tjart allowed six hits and four runs, while walking five and fanning three. Pinch hitter Chuck Roberts (junior, London, Ont.) doubled in a run for the Pioneers. Roberts tripled as the Pioneers dropped a 6-3 decision to the Presbyterian Blue Hose before 222 fans at Pioneer Park in Greeneville, Tenn. It was Roberts' first triple of the year.
Outfielder Dana Tosoni (sophomore, Coquitlam, BC) doubled as the Garden City Broncbusters lost 7-3 to Iowa Western Tigers in Williams Stadium.
Right-hander Marcus Turner (senior, Surrey, BC) had one bad inning for the Macalester Scots in a 9-6, 10-inning loss to Minnesota-Duluth at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Turner allowed four hits and six runs (all of them coming in the fourth inning) while walking three and striking out one.
Left fielder Philip Van Horne (sophomore, Scarborough, Ont.) had two hits and an RBI in the Buffalo Bulls 6-4 loss to the High Point Panthers before 143 fans at Erath Field in High Point, NC. One of Van Horne's hits was a double. Centre fielder John Boom (sophomore, London, Ont.) also had two hits and an RBI. Van Horne also had two hits in a 6-1 loss to High Point, before 122 fans. Van Horne doubled and drove in Buffalo's only run in a 4-1 loss to High Point. Van Horne singled in a 7-1 Buffalo loss to the Davidson Wildcats at Wildcat Park in Davidson, NC in front of 107 fans. Boom went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs in a 6-5, 10-inning win over Davidson before 147. Boom singled and knocked in a run, while Van Horne drove in a run in a 13-3 Buffalo loss to the James Madison Dukes before 177 fans at Long/Mauck Field in Harrisonburg, Va. Right-hander Jeffrey Loveys (freshman, Woodstock, Ont.) took the loss working 3 1/3 innings allowing seven hits and nine runs, walking two and fanning four.
Right-hander Jimmy Van Ostrand (freshman, North Delta BC.) pitched a solid five innings for the Hancock Bulldogs in a 9-8 win over the College of Canyons Cougars at Santa Maria, Calif.Van Ostrand allowed up four runs and ended up with a no decision, however at the plate, he went 2-for-4, with a double and 2 runs scored.Infielder Jeremy Burton (sophomore, Peterborough, Ont.) also went 2--for-4, with a double and three RBIs. Burton drove in the winning runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Burton had two hits and two RBIs in a 14-6 win over Bakersfield, Calif., the home of singer Merle Haggard.Van Ostrand also had two hits, including a double.
Right fielder Tom Van Wart (senior, Saint John, N.B) knocked in two runs as the South West Mustangs were edged 8-7 by the Huston-Tillotson Rams at Down Field in Austin, Tx. Van Wart singled and also stole a base. Van Wart also took the mound and faced on batter in the Mustangs 11-3 loss to the Lubbock Christian Chaparrals at Williams Field in Hobbs, NM.
First baseman Tyler Williams (freshman, Delta, BC) singled as the Missouri Tigers hammered Maryville 19-1 before 227 fans at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Keith Wollis (sophomore, St Albert, Alta) knocked in a pair of runs in the Colby Trojans 17-10 loss to Air Force. Reliever Bobby Van Wieren (freshman, Edmonton, Alta) pitched two innings allowing one hit and four runs -- three earned -- while walking four and striking out one.
-- With files from Conor Adami
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