Inconsistent play down the stretch results in an early exit for the reigning silver medalists as they fail to clinch a provincial playoff spot
The men’s baseball team failed to advance to the Ontario University Athletics West Regional finals after losing 10 to eight against the Brock Badgers on Oct. 7. Finishing their regular season with a four and seven record, the Marauders’ championship redemption will wait another year following three consecutive playoff losses.
At last year’s OUA finals, McMaster University lost the title game six to two to the Toronto Varsity Blues. That season, the team entered the playoffs without major contributors Nicolas Velocci and Mark Zanette due to a collision at their qualifier against the Guelph Gryphons. Despite their injuries, the Marauders did manage to work their way into the semifinals, beating the Carleton Ravens six to five before losing to Toronto.
Heading into the 2022 playoffs, the Marauders faced stout competition in their final set of regular season games. Starting with a doubleheader against the Gryphons on Oct. 1, the team struggled to hold their own against a top-seeded opponent.
In game one, McMaster fell to the Gryphons in a close three to two matchup that went to extra innings. Rookie Benjamin Cook pitched phenomenally, allowing just two runs over seven innings of play. His replacement, James (Rory) Bredin, stymied hitters across two innings before Ashton Patterson’s RBI single in the tenth gave the Gryphons their eventual three to two win.
Following the defeat, Kenneth Noguchi took the mound in the second game; however, three defensive errors in the first left the Marauders in a four to zero hole. While McMaster would claim four runs by the fifth inning, the Gryphons completed the sweep with a 12 to four victory.
The next day, the team played the Windsor Lancers in a consecutive doubleheader. Despite their short rest, McMaster dominated Lancers’ pitching, collecting 16 runs across the pair of games to win eight to three in the first game and eight to four in the second.
Riding the back-to-back victories, the team prepared to take on their regional qualifier against the Gryphons and Brock Badgers on Oct. 7.
While Brock gained an early five to one lead in their first contest, McMaster pooled together four runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the score. Shortly after, Brock returned with their own four run rally on back-to-back-to-back doubles in the sixth. The Badgers would keep their lead and finish the game with a final line score of 10 to seven.
Against Guelph, the Gryphons lineup continued to torment the Marauders' staff. After two innings of play, the Gryphons held a six run lead. The team kept adding on until the score reached 11-1, activating the fifth inning mercy rule to hand McMaster their second tournament defeat.
On Oct. 8, the Marauders returned to face Brock for a chance to play Guelph in the tournament finale, needing to win both games in order to advance. The team came out swinging, leading to an offensive frenzy capped off by a bases-loaded, 3 RBI triple by Gabriel Knox that put McMaster up eight to three going into the bottom of the seventh.
Unfortunately, the pitching came undone, with the Badgers pulling ahead 10 to eight in the eighth inning on a four run rally. Senior pitcher Hayden Stam closed out the game to knock McMaster out of the playoffs.
The Badgers would go on to lose to Guelph 14 to two in the West Regional final.
Having played in his last season, Zanette imparted some final advice for his teammates, reminding them to always keep their plate approach the same no matter the situation.
“When you’re young and you’re having your first, second, third, at bats in the OUA and the pressure’s on, guys are yelling at you. . . it can get a little intimidating. But just sticking to your approach and doing your own thing is the biggest thing,” said Zanette.
When you’re young and you’re having your first, second, third, at bats in the OUA and the pressure’s on, guys are yelling at you. . . it can get a little intimidating. But just sticking to your approach and doing your own thing is the biggest thing.
Mark Zanette, Member of the Marauders Baseball team
Joining Zanette, Noguchi, Philip Hache and Colin Heron will be departing from the baseball program next year. Despite their losses, Heron hopes this year’s OUAs will be a steppingstone for the team to grow as athletes and leaders on the bench.
“I think that a lot of those players that got their feet wet this year, going forward, are going to be able to draw from that experience and perform well. . . [These playoffs] will serve as a good opportunity to build that experience for the future,” said Heron.
I think that a lot of those players that got their feet wet this year, going forward, are going to be able to draw from that experience and perform well. . . [These playoffs] will serve as a good opportunity to build that experience for the future.
Colin Heron, Member of the Marauders Baseball Team
For its ten rookies, maturity and development will be key to the rosters future success. Although they failed to improve upon last season’s silver medal, the Marauders’ young core of talent will be interesting to watch in their 2023 campaign.
Marauders rebound from a blowout loss with a win thanks to some unexpected contributors
The men’s baseball season is well underway with the final regular season game taking place on Oct. 2.
The Marauders faced the Windsor Lancers in a well-matched double header last weekend on Sep. 24. The Lancers outrank McMaster University for tenth place in the Ontario University Athletics standings with a record of four wins and six losses. The Marauders were eleventh in the OUA standings as of Sep. 29 with two wins and five losses.
The first game between the two teams wrapped up early in the fifth inning with a tough 14 to four loss for McMaster. The mercy rule took effect and the game ended in the fifth inning once the Lancers led by ten.
McMaster managed to bounce back in the second game, winning 11 to eight in a seven-inning affair. The Marauders were able to make critical adjustments between games, cleaning up on the defensive end and generating momentum from their offence.
Rookie pitcher, Benjamin Cook, played a key role in the team’s comeback victory. Cook came in midway during the first game and continued his strong pitching performance in the second game.
“This is pretty much my first opportunity to pitch for the team this year, so getting into the [first] game was really nice. And then getting into a situation where I really got to [perform] my best and show what I can do, it means a lot,” said Cook.
This is pretty much my first opportunity to pitch for the team this year, so getting into the [first] game was really nice. And then getting into a situation where I really got to [perform] my best and show what I can do, it means a lot.
Benjamin Cook, Pitcher
As the pitching change put a stop to the walks, McMaster’s performance on the offensive side continued to heat up. Adam Strongman, the head coach, took notice of the increased offensive production as a result of the spark provided by the pitching staff.
“Confidence was building [in the last few innings]. I would say that it started to go when the pitching flipped . . . As the pitching got better, the runs got better,” explained Strongman.
Confidence was building [in the last few innings]. I would say that it started to go when the pitching flipped . . . As the pitching got better, the runs got better.
Adam Strongman, head coach
McMaster ran into a little bit of trouble, pitching-wise, when a few close calls didn’t go their way in the middle innings and the team found themselves in a loaded bases situation in the midst of their tight game. However, Cook managed to close out the inning unscathed, proving himself once more.
“I sort of got in my own head. But after that last walk, I got to myself and said “Okay you’re better than this. You can throw strikes. You know what to do.” Then it’s just about commanding my stuff and throwing [the way] I know how to,” explained Cook.
The rookie played a big role in the series split, allowing the offense to climb back in the game and keeping the team from losing their footing in the standings.
Next up, the Marauders face one of the most difficult opponents they will endure this season in the top-ranked Guelph Gryphons on Sep. 31 in a double-header at home. The Marauders look for a strong defensive start against the offense-heavy team.
The Marauders will later finish their regular season back against the Lancers in a second double-header on the road. To follow along with the Marauders as they wrap up their season, visit their Instagram or Twitter. The team’s upcoming schedule is available here.
C/O Magnus Hanson
Having lost key players to graduation, the team will attempt to follow up on their OUA win
The 2021-2022 baseball season was an exciting one for the team. Following more than a year without sports due to the pandemic, the team returned to play with huge expectations. While reigning Cy Young award winner (given to the best pitcher) Julian Tymochko and reigning most valuable player award winner Nikolas Motruk were returning for their final seasons, the whole team had their eye on the gold.
By the end of the year, the team had picked up a lot of hardware, yet again. Motruk won his second consecutive MVP award, several members of the team were named to the all-star team and pitcher Joshua Kalmin was named rookie of the year. As a team they fell short of their gold medal goal but they still secured a silver in the provincial championship.
By the end of the year, the team had picked up a lot of hardware, yet again. Motruk won his second consecutive MVP award, several members of the team were named to the all-star team and pitcher Joshua Kalmin was named rookie of the year. As a team they fell short of their gold medal goal but they still secured a silver in the provincial championship.
Although the team was excited to bring home a silver, they had just gotten a taste of the finals and the gold was within reach. This year, they don’t want to lose the last game of the season. The only difference is they’ll have to do so without several notable players graduating.
Outfielder Motruk and pitchers Tymochko and Ryan Clark are some of the names from what was a rather large graduating class on the baseball team. They were all major contributors on the team and although there are several young players ready to step up, the impact of their absences are not easy to replace.
“It’s true we’ve lost some staple guys that have been a part of the team for five-six years, which does have an impact but it was time for them to leave and the entire roster knows it’s time to step up. We all got a taste of what a championship might be last year and we all want to get back to that spot,” explained outfielder Magnus Hanson.
Last season the team was generally aware of the impending graduates but managed to play on without concern, citing their common goal of winning as their primary focus. This mentality is one the team will likely try to recreate this season as they regroup with some new faces in the everyday lineups.
“Of course, we knew that guys were graduating and leaving but it wasn’t something we’d discussed. We knew those guys wanted to win, we wanted to win, so we just started winning some baseball games. I don’t think it was any drive to try and get these guys a championship before they graduate, it was just they wanted to win, we wanted to win,” said Hanson.
There is still a substantial amount of talent on the team and the guys are confident they can still go a long way with or without their decorated veterans. They just need to focus on themselves and find their way back to the same collective goal as they’ve had in past years.
“The key thing is focusing on the guys we have here. We just have to get our job done . . . There’s definitely unfinished business,” said pitcher Kalmin.
"The key thing is focusing on the guys we have here. We just have to get our job done . . . There’s definitely unfinished business."
Joshua Kalmin, Pitcher
Along with some new recruits, the team will get some major reinforcements come the season's start. Upper year outfielder Mark Zanette and shortstop Nicholas Velocci will make their long-awaited returns to the field following their collision last season, which forced them to sit out much of the playoff run and several months of training thereafter.
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we’re excited to see [Zanette] and Velocci back and full strength,” said Hanson.
Both players described the two as big additions to the team, emphasizing the impact they had last season both on the field and with the bats. With a strong mindset and a chip on their shoulders, the team could go a long way but there will be a lot for them to prove with such big shoes to fill.
C/O McMaster Baseball
After a major collision, two varsity athletes have faced months of recovery time
The 2021 season was supposed to be a good one for the Marauders baseball team. They had championship aspirations on their mind and a team with a chance to do it, featuring the reigning Cy Young winner (awarded to the best pitcher in the league), Julian Tymochko, the reigning (and now back-to-back) most valuable player, Nik Motruk, the 2021 rookie of the year, Josh Kalmin and four players who would be named to the 2021 all-star team.
Congratulations to Josh Kalmin (@JoshKalmin) who was named the Rookie of the Year. #ROY pic.twitter.com/8m8ZYiAXMA
— McMaster Baseball (@McMasterBasebal) October 20, 2021
Having finished with an OUA silver, many would suggest the season to be near perfect, but a major collision changed the whole story.
On the weekend of the qualifiers, McMaster needed to win just two games to secure a spot in the playoffs. Oct. 9, the first day of games, was not what they expected when they lost both games. They would eventually win both games on Oct. 10 to earn their spot in the playoffs and many of the team members credited a newfound motivation after a very scary moment in their second loss.
It was a standard baseball play; a shallow fly ball to left. Left fielder Mark Zanette ran in, attempting to get to the ball before it dropped. Shortstop Nicolas Velocci, realizing just how shallow the ball was hit, began ranging back to make the play. With the ball in no man's land, neither felt they had a clean play and when nobody called it, both ran at full speed to try and get there in time.
At the last moment, Velocci goes to make a desperation play, diving for the ball. Instead of making the catch, Velocci’s head would collide with Zanette’s knee, leaving both players with severe injuries.
“I went into a full on dive and everything from there on is just black. I don’t remember anything. I remember for a few seconds getting loaded onto an ambulance and that’s where it all hit me . . . I didn’t have time to gather my thoughts, but I knew that something was wrong. Seriously wrong,” said Velocci.
Following the play Velocci would lay there unconscious. Ambulances quickly made their way to the field, the first taking Velocci and a second (later arriving) to take Zanette, who soon realized he could no longer hold his weight.
Baseball players from McMaster and Guelph forget rivalry to help teammates who suffered serious injuries https://t.co/Fi0GUi994k via @CHCH @GryphsBaseball @guelph_gryphons @McMasterSports
— McMaster Baseball (@McMasterBasebal) October 12, 2021
“As the ball was about to hit my glove, I felt the impact on my knee. I did a flip in the air [before landing] and wasn’t really sure what happened . . . I think adrenaline was going, so I didn’t feel that much pain in the moment,” said Zanette.
Zanette originally believed that he was relatively unscathed and had gotten lucky. It was only after a few minutes that he would realize how badly he was injured.
The outfielder would later be diagnosed with an intermediate grade partial thickness tear of the ACL, a complete tear of the proximal PCL, a grade one MCL strain, a radial tear involving the posterior root of the medial meniscus, an impaction fracture at the medial femoral condyle and several other less significant injuries throughout his leg.
It has already been three months since the incident and, although Zanette has gone a long way, there is still a long path ahead with several more months of recovery.
“I avoided surgery, which helped a bunch. In terms of a [recovery] timeline, I’m not really sure . . . By the end of the school year, I won’t be back to normal, but pretty functional again,” said Zanette.
As bad as that may sound, Zanette may have actually gotten the better of the two. Zanette may have a longer recovery period, but Velocci had a much more difficult time thus far, with his site of injury being his head.
Velocci would incur fractures and breaks to his nose, jaw, orbitals and cheekbones, while also dealing with a concussion. He would spend 14 days in the hospital in a time when hospitals were trying to get people out as quickly as possible due to the pandemic.
In the recovery process Velocci would have his jaw wired shut with screws and elastics for three weeks, causing a 30-pound weight drop. He also needed a breathing tube inserted in his throat (tracheotomy) and went through two surgical procedures.
“I can say whole-heartedly that it was the biggest challenge of my life. In the beginning I didn’t even know if I was going to be alive — it was that big a shock to me. I remember asking the doctors while half out of it if I was going to live . . . It was traumatic,” explained Velocci.
“I can say whole-heartedly that it was the biggest challenge of my life. In the beginning I didn’t even know if I was going to be alive — it was that big a shock to me."
Nicolas Velocci, Shortstop
Velocci described the early days of the injury with a very dark tone, elaborating as to just how terrible an experience it all was.
“It was bad. It was so painful that I kept passing out. I wasn’t even awake,” said Velocci.
Through the interview, Velocci continuously brought up the number 53. This was the number of days in which he called the recovery period. This is the timeline from the day it happened to the day he was finally able to function somewhat normally and unassisted.
He hopes to begin training with the team again before the winter is over as he is already doing much better and hopes to be fully recovered over the next month or so.
The event was very traumatic, not only for the players involved, but also for their teammates who witnessed it all. They would soon develop the hashtag #DoItForNicolasandMark, which helped inspire their playoff run.
The team would go back to the tournament after two losses, facing elimination and win both games to advance for their chance at a medal. In a past interview with the Silhouette, pitcher Josh Kalmin commented on the situation and how badly the team wanted to do it for their fallen teammates.
“Going back on that bus Sunday morning, we knew we were going to win. No one on our team ever said anything about [possibly losing]. We were going to do it for Nicolas and for Mark,” said Kalmin.
As badly as Velocci and Zanette wanted to be on the field, they were thrilled to see the success the team had. They both plan on a full return next season, where they will once again have their eyes set on the gold.
John Bauer
The Silhouette
For the second viagra buy online cheap year in a row, the outfield of Bernie Arbour stadium has been home to an All-Star. Following the lead of current coach Paul Saville, a 2012 centre-field All-Star and former teammate, this week it was announced that Travis Flint was voted best left-fielder in the game by a panel of the nine head coaches of the OUA men's baseball teams.
Flint, a Hamilton native and second-year commerce major, was an integral part of the Marauders baseball program this past season on both sides of the ball. After a solid rookie season last year in which he played seventeen games, the Marauders coaching staff played him a lot this year, as he appeared in all but one of McMaster's twenty-four games. Flint finished the year with the third highest batting average in the league at .390 and took the most at-bats for McMaster and third most in the league. He accounted for a stunning 22% of all of the McMaster runs to cross the plate and tied for the league lead at thirty-two hits, which was just less than one-fifth of the Marauder total for the year. He also stole sixteen bases, which was good for third in the league, and was only caught stealing twice.
Defensively, he led all left fielders with 33 putouts, and was nearly perfect with a .972 fielding percentage.
Likely up next for Flint is the OUA Baseball Showcase. Though the details have not been announced, the annual event pits the OUA All-Stars and some outstanding players who barely missed making the list against the reigning OUA baseball champions, the Laurier Golden Hawks, who won the OUA Championships in Guelph, Ont. on Oct. 20, 2013.
John Bauer
The Silhouette
Mired in the throes of a seven game losing streak, McMaster's men's baseball team was looking for some help from the baseball gods to make the move back to respectability on the season. The help came this week from the OUA scheduler, in the form of two games against the Ryerson Rams, a team nursing their own five game winless drought going into Saturday's doubleheader.
Undaunted by neither the streak of futility hanging over their heads, nor the unfriendly confines of Bond Park in Don Mills, the Marauders went two for two against the Rams. The first game was an old-fashioned hit around for the Marauders, albeit one that almost slipped from their grasp. Despite putting up 13 hits to Ryerson's 5, the game turned into a nail-biter in the bottom of the seventh and final inning when the Rams sent two runs across the plate, to get to a score of 5-4. Pitcher Chris Novachis bent but did not break, getting the final three outs Mac needed to take the win. Novachis impressed all game long, striking out eight. The offense was led by Cole Lewis, who had himself a 3 for 4 game with an RBI, Travis Flint, who went 2 for 4, and Evan Landry, who went 3-3 with 2 RBIs and scored twice, cementing himself as one of Mac's most valuables players in his rookie year.
The late game of the doubleheader had a feel much different from the first. This time, Mac dominated on the scoreboard but not the hit count. The Marauders took the decision 7-4 on the strength of two explosive innings of opportunistic offense, making Ryerson pay dearly for their four errors.
The teams, well aware of how close their game was just hours earlier, started out tentatively, with very little in the way of offense in the first two innings. That all changed with one swing of the bat in the third. With two runners in scoring position and two out for the Marauders, Jake Chiaravalle drilled the 2-2 pitch to the outfield for the double and the 2-0 lead. Evan Landry would take four straight balls on the next four pitches to put runners on first and second. Next up to bat was Travis Gibson, who hit a blooper to left field after working to a 2-1 count. Chiaravalle broke for home the second the ball left the bat. He beat the throw for the 3-0 lead, allowing Landry and Gibson each to take an extra base. Lewis struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Rams were quiet in the fourth, but the bottom of the order would come up big for them in the fifth. Their bottom three batters loaded the bases on an error and two singles. McMaster’s starting pitcher Kyle Angelow would hit Ryerson’s lead-off batter Julio Ramirez to cut Mac's lead to 3-1, before a walk and a double by the Rams' Josh Lund put Ryerson ahead 4-3. McMaster's defense then deftly put away Ryerson's next two batters to end the inning.
If the Maroon and Grey were nervous after a three-up, three-down sixth, it sure didn't show in the seventh. Rob Birtles and Joe Asztalos worked their way to first and second with a single and a Ryerson error, respectively. Eric Telford would groundout to advance the runners. More sloppy defense on a hard hit ball by Travis Flint scored Birtles to tie the game. Ryerson chose to gamble with Chiaravalle coming up to bat, intentionally walking him. Evan Landry made them regret their decision, singling to score Asztalos and regain the lead, and chasing Ryerson pitcher Bryan Vardzel in the process. Gibson and Lewis would drive in two more Marauder runs for the 7-4 lead before the inning ended.
The Rams, deflated after letting the lead get away on errors closed the game with a whimper, with their last three batters flying out. Angelow would go the distance for Mac, fanning two.
McMaster now enters the final week of the season on a positive note. While the Ryerson games were a gift from the scheduler, Mac's remaining docket is not as kind to them, as they play five road games in a week. Oct. 11 takes them to Toronto for a single game. The Marauders close the season on Oct. 12 at Hastings Field in Guelph.
John Bauer
The Silhouette
Hockey fans excluded, there are very few people that enjoy the change of seasons that happens every year around Sept. 22. After a disastrous week of play, you can put the McMaster men's baseball team near the top of the list of autumn loathers.
Coming into the week, the team had been putting in a respectable campaign for a team residing from a school that is not widely known for their baseball program. A combination of strong opponents and defensive breakdowns has left them mired in a seven game losing streak.
The misfortune began with a strange game on Sept. 24 against Waterloo. Mac matched the Warriors in hits, but dropped a 9-3 decision on the strength of two Waterloo home runs and smart base- running. Travis Flint led the way offensively for the Marauders going 3 for 4 with a double, two stolen bases and an RBI.
Sept. 26 brought the Laurier Golden Hawks to the Steel City. Once more, hits were not McMaster's problem, as they put up seven to Laurier's eight. Instead, the Golden Hawks took advantage of eight stolen bases and five walks to take the 7-3 win. Jake Chiaravalle demonstrated the power he is known for with his second triple of the season, while combining with catcher Eric Landry to gun out Laurier runner Callum Murphy at home after an outfield snag for a double pay. Eric Telford and Chris Novachis flexed their muscles with a double each.
Mac's hitting dried up in the first game of the Sept. 28 doubleheader against the same Golden Hawk outfit. The sum of the Maroon's offense was a single by Travis Flint. Laurier ace Brett van Pelt went the distance, tossing ten Ks in the 9-0 shutout.
The second game of the set was a better effort by the Marauders, but they just could not handle the loaded Golden Hawk attack. Travis Flint went 3 for 3 to rocket his batting average into the mid .400s, but his teammates did not fare much better at the dish than in the earlier game. Rookie Eric Landry continued to solidify his position as a key player on the team with a single, a stolen base and two walks.
The afternoon of Sept. 29 meant a trip down the 403 to face the Toronto Varsity Blues. The early game of the doubleheader looked like it would go down to the wire, but it was blown open by a seven run, seventh inning by the Varsity Blues for a 11-3 final. Chiaravalle and Chris Nason hit doubles for Mac, but the team could not overcome six fielding errors.
Game two of the Sunday double header with Toronto resembled the first, but with less McMaster offense. Another six errors led to eight unearned runs in an 11-1 final. Chiaravalle appears to have shaken off the effects of a mid-season slump, going 1-2. Curtis Lee scored McMaster's sole run of the game, taking off from third to steal home as Chiaravalle provided ample distraction with his own steal of second, giving him nine swiped bags on the year.
The Marauders enter the home stretch of the season this week with weekend road doubleheaders against the bottom-feeding Ryerson Rams and the league-leading Brock Badgers. After a visit to Toronto Oct. 11, they close out the season Oct. 12 with a doubleheader in Guelph against the Gryphons.
John Bauer
The Silhouette
After a slow start to the campaign, the McMaster men's baseball teams is showing signs of rounding into mid-season form just as the games start to mean more. A 2-2 week brings their record to 3-8, so it may be too little too late, but with their remaining schedule featuring a tour through the pack contending for the final playoff spots, the Marauders will have ample opportunity to play spoiler.
Mac started the week with a Sept. 17 9-6 win over the Ryerson Rams in a game not for the baseball puritan. Errors and sloppy defense abounded, and in the end it was a decided McMaster advantage in base-running that won the day. Down 5-0 in the bottom of the third, things were looking rather bleak for the Maroon until Brandon DaSilva shocked a sleepy Ryerson defense, scoring McMaster's first run by stealing home. While that was the Mac’s only run of the inning, it was the spark they needed.
Relief pitcher Curtis Lee would work himself in and out of a major jam in the fourth. After a single, an error and a walk loaded the bases with two outs, he struck out the Ryerson batter. For a brief anxious moment, the ball got away from catcher Travis Gibson, but he would recover to record the drop ball third strike force-out at home. The score would remain unchanged until the bottom of the sixth, when Jake Chiaravalle knocked a single into centre field, scoring Travis Flint from third to narrow the lead to 5-2.
The Maroon recorded a three-up three-down seventh inning on the strength of two Kyle Angelow strikeouts. Then, in the bottom of the inning, it all fell apart for Ryerson. Three consecutive errors plated three McMaster runs before a Chiaravalle double put McMaster ahead for good, scoring Flint and Mike Campagnolo. Ryerson would score a final run in the eighth, before the Marauders put up two more runs to close out the scoring. The teams each recorded five errors, while McMaster put up ten stolen bases, led by Chiaravalle's four swiped bags, to Ryerson's one.
Sept. 18 would not be so kind to the Maroon, as they dropped a 7-4 decision to Western. While it looked like they may have had something going in the ninth with a three run rally, in the end they waited too long to turn up the offense.
Sept. 22 brought the same Western squad to McMaster home turf for a doubleheader, the first game of which may have been Mac's best all year. Pitchers Chris Novachis and Keith Woodcock combined to allow a single run, just missing the no-no, and smart, all-around offensive play by the whole team led to a 5-2 win.
The Marauders looked poised to repeat in the second game of the set, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. But the Mustangs were determined not to drop two in a row. A strong fifth inning gave them all the run support they needed to split the series with a 6-2 win. Angelow pitched all seven innings for Mac, giving up 2 earned runs on 8 hits. Rookie Evan Landry went 3-3 with a double in his second OUA game.
Next up for the Maroon is their toughest week of the season. Tuesday night they pay a visit to Waterloo to play the second place Warriors, followed by three game home-and-home series with the league leading Laurier Golden Hawks on Sept. 26 and Sept. 28. The middling U of T Varsity Blues visit Bernie Arbour on Sept. 29 to round out the weekly schedule, in what will likely be McMaster's first chance to do serious damage to an opponent's playoff aspirations.
John Bauer
As the days get shorter and calender turns to the -bers, most folks begin to accept that summer is at its end.
To a select few however, shorter days mean Tuesday nights under the lights at Bernie Arbour stadium, the smells of freshly cut grass, rosin, and pine tar, and more frequent trips to the corner store for sunflower seeds.
Yes, to McMaster’s boys of summer, summer has just begun.
Coming off a fairly disappointing season last year, McMaster’s baseball team enters the season with key returnees Jake Chiaravalle and Travis Flint in the outfield and Brandon DaSilva and Travis Gibson in the infield.
Gone are OUA All-Star Paul Saville and workhorse pitchers Tomas Rincon and Carlos Cabrero. With overwhelming turnover on the mound, the Marauders will look to newcomers like outfielder Mike Campagnolo to hit the ground running offensively while the bullpen works out early season kinks.
Unfortunately, both the offense and defense were lacking Wednesday in Kingston, Ont. as the Marauders opened their season against the Queen’s Gaels.
Starting pitcher Kyle Angelow was done in by five errors leading to two unearned runs in a 6-0 loss.
First baseman Rob Birtles put in an impressive effort on both sides of the ball, going 2-4 with a double, a stolen base, and seven put outs.
Campagnolo was the best of the rest, also going 2-4 and recording four put outs.
While the Gaels were limited to only one extra base hit, they worked their way around the bases due to Maroon errors and timely singles.
Pitcher Jeremy McDonald kept Mac batters guessing all day, recording six strikeouts over seven innings, sharing the shutout with Tyler Whealy.
Mac baseball fans can get their fix at Bernie Arbour Stadium until mid-October, with doubleheaders most Saturdays and Sundays and the odd weekday game thrown in.
Their next home game is scheduled for Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. sharp, when they play a two game set against Waterloo Warriors.
Photo c/o McMaster Athletics.
McMaster's up and down baseball season drew to a close last week with a full slate of games.
On Tuesday night, the Maroon and Grey split a doubleheader at Queen's, winning the first game 3-2 and getting doubled up in the second game, 10-5. The first game was a hitting clinic by Mac, with 12 hits including two-baggers by Travis Flint, Jake Chiaravalle, Colin Campbell and Travis Gibson. The Marauder offense was backed up by the solid pitching performance of Carlos Cabrero, who held the Golden Gaels to five hits and two runs, until Tomas Rincon came in to put the finishing touches on the “W.”
Wednesday, the Marauders would out hit the Guelph Gryphons, but still fall short 12-6.
Friday night brought two games against the Western Mustangs. McMaster would again get doubled up in the first game, despite Jake Chiaravalle's third triple of the season. Carlos Cabrero brought the heat in the loss, striking out 5. In the second game, the Maroon would break loose for a satisfying 10-6 thumping, which included 14 hits. Paul Saville lead the way with 4 hits including a triple and a stolen base to boot, followed by Travis Gibson with 3 hits, a stolen base and two RBI.
McMaster closed the season out on Saturday with a 9-3 loss against the league champion Brock Badgers. Paul Saville would pick up a triple to make it back-to-back games with a 3-base hit.
When the dust settled on the season, McMaster amassed a record of 7-14, slotting them seventh out of eight teams in the league. Brock and Guelph finished at the top of the standings, while Queen's came in at the bottom. The highlights of the season for the Marauders were a memorable defeat of last year's champions the University of Toronto at the start of the season, their pioneering of the baseball program for childhood cancer research, and their dramatic, come from behind, extra-inning win over Waterloo. The team proved talented enough to play with the best in the league, and looks forward to contending for the playoffs next year.
