OSHAWA, Ont. - They are returning to the scene of their only Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championship. And having clinched another regular season trophy, they remain the team to beat nearly 365 days later.

The reigning champion Humber Hawks are looking to win back-to-back gold medals when they take to the field for the OCAA Men's Baseball Championship this Friday and Saturday at Kinsmen Civic Memorial Stadium in Oshawa, Ont. It marks the second consecutive year Kinsmen Stadium is playing host to the event.

Standing in Humber's way are the host Durham Lords, five-time provincial champion St. Clair Saints, and the first-time championship contestant Seneca Sting. It should be a competitive competition, with just three wins separating first to fourth place in the regular season standings.

The four teams will play in a double-knockout tournament, playing a minimum of two games each. Clubs are eliminated from the competition after their second loss. Schools are seeded based on regular season record. 

The team that wins both games on the opening day of the tournament advances directly to the gold medal game, with two chances to win the championship. The team that avoids a second loss wins the tournament and the OCAA title.

Humber Hawks (13-5, 1st OCAA)

A winning record over rival St. Clair gave the Humber Hawks a second-straight regular season title. They now look to defend their provincial gold this weekend.

A couple of Hawks were in the Top 3 in OCAA batting this season. Fourth-year outfielder Liam Sutherland (Mississauga, Ont.) had a slash line of .424/.493/.559, while third-year infielder Ty Martin (Acton, Ont.) produced a line of .420/.517/.540. Sutherland also led all OCAA players with three triples.

On the mound, Braden Taylor (Toronto, Ont.) had a team-best 2.67 ERA of pitchers who threw over 20 innings. The Hawks have a 6-3 regular season record against the three other teams competing at the championship.

St. Clair Saints (13-5, 2nd OCAA)

The St. Clair Saints played the unfamiliar role of bridesmaids last season after winning the first five championships in the short history of OCAA men's baseball.

Pitching is a strength of the team this year, with three players among the top four in ERA across the province. This includes second-year player Travis Snyder (Battle Creek, Mich.) with an OCAA-best 1.27 ERA. He is followed closely by Luis Barrios (Columbia) and Micah Harris (Cottam, Ont.) with averages of 1.85 and 2.13, respectively.

Offensively, the Saints marched to the tune of second-year first baseman Michael McKay (Miramichi, N.B.) and his slash line of .389/.500/.574. St. Clair has a 4-5 record against teams at provincials.

Durham Lords (12-6, 3rd OCAA)

The hottest team in OCAA just happens to be the host Durham Lords, winners of 10 straight. Durham can't brag about its 3-6 record at home, but given its perfect 9-0 mark on the road, batting first as the lower seed may work out in its favour.

Durham showcases the OCAA batting champion in its line-up. First-year infielder Fernando Suarez (Whitby, Ont.) led all players with a .455 average, the top single season mark in three seasons. Second-year teammate Jason Crouse (Oshawa, Ont.) did the heavy lifting for the Lords from the mound this season, with a third-best 1.89 ERA.

Durham last won a medal in 2014 (silver). The Lords are 3-6 against teams at provincials in 2019.

Seneca Sting (10-8, 4th OCAA)

The Seneca Sting have been strangers to late-October baseball until now. Coming off a 3-17 record in 2018, Seneca's previous high for wins in a season was five in 2016.

Seneca has some serious pop in its line-up. Second-year shortstop Cooper Lamb (Toronto) led all OCAA players with 26 hits (including 10 doubles) and 20 runs. Third-year first baseman Daniel Perrier (Ottawa, Ont.) led the league with 21 RBI, including an OCAA-best six home runs. Third-year outfielder Kevin Monteiro (Brampton, Ont.) stole a dozen bases to lead the conference.

Third-year player Dan Seguin (Prince Edward County) had the top ERA (2.67) among Seneca pitchers throwing over 20 innings. Seneca is 5-5 against Durham, Humber and St. Clair in 2019.

Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/base

Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/ocaalive

Friday, October 18
Game #1: Seneca vs. Humber - 11 a.m.
Game #2: Durham vs. St. Clair - 1:30 p.m.
Game #3: Loser Game #1 vs. Loser Game #2 - 4 p.m.
Game #4: Winner Game #1 vs. Winner Game #2 - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 19
OCAA Bronze Medal Game
Game #5: Winner Game #3 vs. Loser Game #4 - 10 a.m.
Losing team presented OCAA Bronze Medal at conclusion of game

OCAA Gold Medal Game(s)
Game #6: Winner Game #4 vs. Winner Game #5 - 1 p.m.
Game #7*: Winner Game #4 vs. Winner Game #5 - 3:30 p.m.
*If necessary
OCAA Gold and Silver Medals presented at the conclusion of final game

- 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 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com