Can the St. Clair Saints make it five in a row?
That is the key question to be answered sometime in October as the Saints, the only men's baseball champion the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has ever known, looks to defend its crown yet again. In fact, St. Clair also won an additional two other provincial titles when playing the top teams from Ontario University Athletics.
Standing in St. Clair's way are five other teams looking to make their mark, including the Fanshawe Falcons, who gave the Saints their only blemish the past four years. Fanshawe won the inaugural Canadian College Baseball National Championship over St. Clair 2-1 last October. It this a sign that a changing of the guard is on the horizon, or just a blip for the Saints?
Either way, all roads lead to St. Clair in more ways than one as it will host provincials in 2017. Back in its line-up is Kyle Breitner (Mississauga), a three-time OCAA Pitcher of the Year, including last season. Breitner led the OCAA with five wins (with no losses), two complete games, one shutout and 41 strikeouts in 2016, posting an ERA of 1.53.
First baseman Bryan Hames (Waterdown) was the MVP at the Canadian championship, and looks to lead Fanshawe to provincial glory this time around. The Falcons have two OCAA silver medals in as many seasons. The colour of choice for the Humber Hawks has been bronze over this span. Andrew Thomson (Brampton) led the team with 16 runs and 15 RBI, and looks to return to the Humber outfield in 2017.
The Durham Lords have finished in the final four in every OCAA season, but have been blanked in the medal haul the past two seasons. Alec Brown (Bowmanville) batted .474 in limited action with the Lords in 2016 and looks to resurrect his hot bat.
A pair of Toronto schools are looking to make the grade in 2017. The Seneca Sting had their highest win total in 2016, and are looking to play post-season ball for the first time. Seneca's top batter last year, catcher Dwaine Nichol (Toronto), returns to the Sting line-up this season. The George Brown Huskies have Curtis Cobean (Port Elgin) back in the fold and his .474 batting average in 2016 (second among all OCAA players).
Rain permitting (not a figurative term this time of year), 30 doubleheaders (or 60 games) will take place on ball diamonds between Windsor and Oshawa over the next five-plus weeks. All teams begin play this Saturday.
The top four teams at regular season's end move onto the OCAA championship, where a double knockout tournament determines the medal winners.
2017 OCAA Schedule: http://ocaa.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/schedule
2017 OCAA Rosters: http://ocaa.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/rosters
2016 OCAA Regular Season Standings: http://ocaa.com/sports/bsb/2016-17/standings
OCAA Records: http://ocaa.com/sports/bsb/records
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com