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Monday, March 3, 2003
No problemo for Houston
Player of the Week, Week Three Honours
By BOB ELLIOTT
For SLAM! Canadian Baseball
It was 33 years ago next month, that commander Jim Lovell, of space mission Apollo 13, shook the world with the words:
"OK, Houston, we have a problem!"
You're probably too young to remember that, but you might remember Tom Hanks saying the phrase on the big screen.
Anyway, Bob Fornelli, head coach of the No. 20-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers, hasn't had to say that once this season.
Rather it is opposing hitters who are having big-time problems getting out Fort Hays first baseman Cam Houston.
Houston, the first baseman, not the city, is a reason the Kansas school started the season 6-0 as he leads the team in RBIs. And Houston (junior, Spruce Grove, Alta.) is the SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week. The award recognizes the best of the 464 Canadians playing south of the border.
Also considered for the honor were outfielder Vincent Michaud (sophomore, Charlesbourg, Que.) of the No. 21-ranked North Central Texas Lions and Jared Schweitzer (sophomore, Sherwood Park, Alta.) of the the Prairie Baseball Academy Prairie Dawgs
Through six games, Houston owns a .444 batting average (12-for-27) with three doubles, two homers, 17 RBIs and 10 runs scored for Fort Hays, the former frontier fort.
How Houston's week that was went as he:
Drove in three runs as Fort Hays State beat Oklahoma-Panhandle State 13-6 at Guyman, Oak. in the opener of a doubleheader. Houston, a 6-foot-5, 220-pounder, doubled and homered for the Tigers. Catcher Matt Born (freshman, Saskatoon, Sask.) knocked in a run for the Panhandlers.
Knocked in six runs in Fort Hays' 14-3 win over Panhandle State. Houston, who transferred from the Garden City Broncbusters, had a double, three singles and scored twice.
Drove in a pair of runs in a 16-7 win over Panhandle State. Houston's double scored a pair of runs.
Knocked in two runs in a 27-4 win over Kansas Wesleyan at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. Houston singled and hit a scoring fly ball as the Tigers came within one run of tying the school record for runs scored.
Plated a run as Fort Hays State dumped Nebraska-Kearney 13-1 at Hays in the first game of a doubleheader. Houston had two singles, a stolen bases and scored three times.
Drove in three runs in Fort Hays State's 11-10 win against Nebraska-Kearney in the second game. Houston singled, homered and drove in three runs. Houston's homer over the wall in left-centre field forced extra innings and allowed the Tigers to win in eight innings
"With aluminum bats, you can always come back in a game," said Houston, referring to the Tigers trailing 10-8 in the top of the seventh. "He left it over the dish, and I just tried to hit something hard. I was just trying to get to first base and see what happened from there."
A combined 4-for-8 with four runs scored and four RBIs on the day.
"That's why Cam Houston sits in our cleanup spot," said FHSU coach Fornelli. "He has tremendous power, but the last few days he hadn't been staying back and wasn't patient. He finally was patient and got a pitch he could handle. He handled it and it was huge for us."
And how other Canadians fared near and far south of the border in which the elements gave teams a tougher test than opposing teams:
First baseman Karl Amonite (junior, Woodslee, Ont.) drove in three runs as the No. 16-ranked Auburn Tigers beat the No. 12-ranked Clemson Tigers before 3,245 fans at Plainsman Park at Auburn, Ala. in the first game of a doubleheader. And to finish the day -- a six RBI day -- Amonite drove in three runs with his first double of the season in an 11-8 loss to Clemson. Amonite knocked in a run in Auburn's 5-1 over the Troy State Spartans before 2,341 fans at Auburn.
Right-hander Danny Andres (freshman, San Clara, Man.) started for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks but did not receive the decision in a 5-4 win over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders before 308 fans at Reese Smith Field in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Andres pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing six hits and three runs, while walking three and fanning one.
Right-hander John Axford (sophomore, Port Dover, Ont.) came out of the blocks ready to go -- like the bikers, who swell the population of his hometown every Friday the 13th. Axford pitched six solid innings in his debut as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat Newman 15-5 at Packard Stadium in Tempe, Az. Axford allowed eight hits and two runs, while walking two and fanning one in his 82-pitch outing.
Reliever Rob Bland (freshman, North Bay, Ont.) picked his first save of his college career and the Kentucky Bat Cats edged the Boston Eagles 5-4 in the Crab House Challenge before 289 fans at Charleston, S.C. The game was deadlocked 4-4 in the eighth when Kentucky scored. On came Bland and it was warm up the bus time for the Bat Cats. Bland allowed one hit and walked one, while fanning a pair. Bland also worked in an 11-10 loss to the No. 15-ranked Richmond Spiders in front of 573 fans. Bland allowed a base hit and two runs in 1/3 of an inning. Bland entered the game with Richmond leading 8-6.
Reliever Dustin Bolton (junior, Calgary, Alta.) picked up the save as the Jacksonville Dolphins beat the Samford Bulldogs 6-3 before 323 fans at Joe Lee Griffin Field in Birmingham, Ala. Bolton came on for the final two outs of the game for his first save of the season. Bolton worked 1/3 of an inning, allowing two runs in the fifth inning as Jacksonville lost 10-8 to Samford before 186 fans.
Centre fielder Alex Borgo (senior, Cookstown, Ont.) homered, doubled and won the battle of the Canadian lead-off men as the New Mexico State Aggies beat the Oregon State Beavers 15-7 before 273 fans at at Cohen Field in the Baseball Fiesta in El Paso, Tx. Borgo scored three times, while his counterpart shortstop Rob Recuenco (sophomore, Vancouver, B.C.) scored twice. Borgo went 4-for-5 with two singles, a double and the homer to knock in a pair of runs. Reliever Rory Coppinger (junior, White Rock, BC) pitched two innings for the Aggies, allowing five hits and one run, while walking two and striking out three. Borgo, who picked up an NCAA Academic award for GPA 3,2 or higher, singled in a 16-14 loss to Oregon State before 203 fans, a game New Mexico State led 14-0 after five innings.
Reliever Ryan Braun (senior, Kitchener, Ont.) recorded the final two outs up as the Las Vegas Hustlin' Rebels blanked the Villanova Wildcats 14-0 before 653 fans at E. Wilson Stadium in Las Vegas, Nv.
DH Ryan Brnardic (senior, La Salle, Ont.) doubled and singled as the Southeastern State Oklahoma Savages roughed up the Henderson State Reddies 9-3 at the Ballpark in Durant, Ok. Brnardic also knocked in a run. Brnardic drove in a run in an 8-3 loss to Henderson State before 110 fans. Right-hander Brad Grieveson (senior, Creemore, Ont.) was tagged with the loss. Grieveson pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing 10 hits and eight runs while fanning six. Grieveson's record falls to 2-1.
Catcher Matt Bruno (sophomore, Kirkland, Que.) helped the Briarcliffe Seahawks to a 5-4 win over Alvin in Alvin, Tx. Bruno went 4-for-5 with four RBIs. Basically, he did everything for Briarcliffe but carry the equipment. Bruno was 3-for-3 in a a 7-5 loss to Grayson County with a double, two singles and two RBIs. On the 10-game trip he batted .476 (10-for-21) with eight RBIs, four doubles, four walks and three runs scored. The lefthanded hitting catcher has signed a scholarship to play for the Iona Gaels next fall. Outfielder Nick Trainor (sophomore, Montreal West, Que.) had a successful spring trip as well, batting 6-for-18 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs.
Right-hander Steve Carter (junior, Woodslee, Ont.) has put up zeros before, but this time he put up zeros behind head coach Gary Gilmore's name. Carter was part of a complete-game shutout as the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers beat the Delaware Blue Hens 6-0 before 189 fans at Watson Stadium in Conway, S.C. Carter picked up the win, in what was Gilmore's 500th career win. The righty limited the Blue Hens to only two hits over seven innings of work while striking out eight. Carter pitched four perfect innings until a single leading off the fifth. He faced 22 men, one over the minimum to even his record at 1-1.
Shortstop Alan Cattrysse (freshman, Chatham, Ont.) had a pair of hits in his first collegiate game as the Michigan State Spartans beat the Centenary Gents 7-3 at Shehee Stadium in Shreveport, La. in the first game of a doubleheader. Cattrysse singled through the right side in the third and singled to third in the ninth. He also drove in a run. Cattrysse singled and knocked in a run in the nitecap, a 16-3 Michigan State victory. Cattrysse had a pair of doubles and knocked in a pair of runs in the series finale, an 11-10 loss to Centenary.
Shortstop Marc Chabot (junior, Kingston, Ont. -- Canada's first Capital) doubled as the Kansas State Wildcats were edged 10-7 by the Illinois xxx at the Service Academy Classic before 385 fans at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn. Chabot singled in a 9-4 win over the Western Illinois Leathernecks in front of 225 fans at Tointon Stadium in Manhattan, Kan.
Third baseman Hyung Cho (junior, Scarborough, Ont.) singled and drove in a run as the No. 20-ranked Houston Cougars best the No. 12-ranked Louisiana State Tigers 7-2 before 7,249 fans Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Cho also had a pair of hits and an RBI in Houston's 5-2 loss to LSU.
Right-hander Adam Clarke (senior, Mississauga, Ont.) took the loss in the Graceland Yellow Jackets 9-2 loss to Williams Woods in the opener at Fulton, Mo. Clarke took the loss working two innings while allowing three runs on three hits, while walking five and striking out two.
Second baseman Gerry Dufour (freshman, Windsor, Ont.) singled as the Oakland Golden Grizzlies lost 9-3 to the Davidson Wildcats in front of 121 fans at Wildcat Park in Davidson, N.C.
Catcher Jake Elder (sophomore, North Delta, BC) had a game to remember as the Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Arizona Wildcats 13-10 before 643 fans at Frank Sancet Field in Tucson, Az. Elder homered and doubled to knock in four runs. Elder singled and drove in a run in an 11-5 loss to Arizona before 923 fans. Elder doubled in a 7-2 loss to Arizona in front of 586 fans.
Second baseman Chris Falls (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) singled in the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils' 12-6 loss to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs before 129 fans at Magnolia Field in Itta Bena, Miss.
Reliever Nino Fasulo (sophomore, Smithville, Ont.) pitched a scoreless inning as the Charleston Southern Buccaneers lost 5-0 to the 18th-ranked Clemson Tigers before 1,915 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, SC. Fasulo started and worked four innings, but did not get the decision as Charleston Southern edged the Marshall Thundering Herd 8-7 before 278 fans at Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC. Fasulo allowed three hits and one run while striking out three, departing down 1-0 on the scoreboard. Releiver Brad Bissell (sophomore, Penetang, Ont.) worked 1 2/3 innings allowing four hits and two runs, while fanning three.
Reliever Mark Ferguson (junior, Hamilton, Ont.) didn't give up an earned run, but he was charged with the loss in the Charlotte 49ers' 15-9 loss to the High Point Panthers in front of 212 fans at Phillips Field in Charlotte, NC. Ferguson retired one man but was touched for two hits and four unearned runs during High Point's 12-run eighth inning. Ferguson is 0-1.
Reliever Robbie Findlay (junior, Etobicoke, Ont.) gained the save as the Texas Christian Horned Frogs edged the No. 22-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders 3-2 before 1,938 fans at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, Tx. Findlay took over in the seventh and sat down nine of the 11 batters he faced over three innings. Findley retired three hitters for his second save of the season. It was the first-ever night game on the TCU campus.
Reliever Coogie Freedman (senior, Richmond Hill, Ont.) recorded the final eight outs as the Furman Paladins beat the Niagara Purple Eagles 8-6 at Furman Baseball Stadium in Greenville, S.C. Freedman took over in the fifth inning with the Paladins leading 6-2. He worked 2 2/3 innings allowing two hits and four runs -- two earned -- while walking two.
Second baseman Brad Frick (junior, Surrey BC) had two hits to help Bethune-Cookman Wildcats to their first win of the season, a 5-4 verdict over the No. 22-ranked Florida International Golden Panthers.before 385 fans at University Park Stadium in Maimi. B-C had begun the season 0-8. Left fielder Sebastien Boucher (freshman, Ottawa, Ont.) singled and drove in a run. Boucher also knocked in a pair of runs in an 8-6 Bethune-Cookman win over Florida International before 339 fans, the first on a ground ball in the third and the other on a seventh-inning single. Frick singled as Bethune-Cookman dropped the opener of the series 9-8, before 441 fans. Frick is hitting .410 through the first 11 games with two doubles and three RBIs.
Robert Gillis (sophomore, Dartmouth, NS) homered as the Longwood Lancers lost 19-2 to Mount Olive in Mount Olive N.C. In an 11-5 loss to Mount Olive, reliever Evan Weinstein (junior, Toronto, Ont.) took over in the second inning, with the Lancers trailing 7-0.
Third baseman Dan Grant (junior, Thunder Bay, Ont.) doubled in the Northern Iowa Panthers 11-4 loss to the Missouri Tigers in the LSU-Monroe tournament at Indian Field in Monroe, La. Grant doubled and singled in a 7-6 loss to the Louisiana Monroe Indians. Grant singled and knocked in a run in a 7-3 loss to the Northwestern State Demons.
First baseman Matt Gunning (junior, Victoria, BC) homered as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers edged the No. 26-ranked Central Florida Golden Knights 4-3, in 10 innings, before 551 fans at Jay Bergman Field in Orlando. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth, Gunning, a junior college transfer from the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles, homered with a man aboard. He hit a 1-1 pitch over the 370 sign in right, for his first home run as a Hilltopper. Reliever Igor Roiberg (junior, Toronto, Ont.) retired the only man he faced. Gunning had a team-high five hits in the series. Gunning singled twice in a 6-5 loss to Central Florida, before 786 fans. And Gunning singled twice and scored twice in a 4-2 win over Central Florida.
Right-hander Jim Henderson (junior, Calgary, Alta.) fanned eight as the Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs beat Bryan 7-2. Henderson allowed on earned run as he picked up his first win. He also had a a pair of hits in the first game of the doubleheader. Henderson homered in the nitecap, an 11-1 Bulldog win.
Third baseman Matt Higginson (freshman, Oakville, Ont.) had a perfect day for the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs in an 8-4 win over the North Carolina A&T Aggies before 105 fans at Varsity Field in Boiling Springs, NC. Higginson singled three times, knocked in a run and stole a base. Higginson singled in a 9-0 win over the East Tennessee State Blue Wave at Boiling Springs before 173 fans.
Right John Hurd (sophomore, Fruitvale, BC) had a pair of hits and drove in a run as the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles at Marich Field in Phoenix. Hurd also singled in an 11-1 loss to Glendale at Phoenix. Southern Idaho beat Citrus 4-1 at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George, Utah as Hurd singled and stole a base. Hurd singled and drove in a run an 11-6 loss to Cypress at Liel Field in Henderson, Nev. Hurd had two hits in a 20-8 loss to Santa Ana at Henderson. In a 5-0 win over Dixie, Hurd did it all, collecting three hits, driving in a run and recording the final two outs from the mound. And in the other game in Henderson, Hurd singled, knocked in a run and stole a base. Arizona (Glendale)
Outfielder Glenn Jackson (sophomore, Toronto, Ont.) scored three times in the contest and stole three bases as the Barton County Cougars beat Western Nebraska 11-1 in the season opener at Cougar Field. Jackson got the Cougars on the board in the first, reaching on a fielder's choice, stealing second, moving to third on an error and scoring on a single. Barton trailed Western Nebraska 7-1 lead in the top of third before rallying for a 9-7 win. Jackson tripled in the winning run and scored on an error on the play for a margin of victory. Jackson scored four more times in the game and swiped two more bases.
Right-hander Chris Johnson (junior, Edmonton, Alta.) made a very impressive debut with the Henderson State Reddies with a complete-game, 4-1 win over the Lyon Scots before 200 fans at Batesville, Ark. Johnson is the younger brother of Mike Johnson, who was drafted by the Blue Jays and pitched in the majors with Baltimore, Montreal and Texas and has signed a contract with San Francisco. He allowed four hits and one run, while fanning three. Johnson was tagged with the loss in a 7-1 loss to the Louisiana-Monroe Indians at Indian Field before 425 fans at Monroe, La. Johnson pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and six runs, while walking two and striking out one. Johnson suffered the loss in a 9-3 setback to the Southeastern Oklahoma Savage before 110 fans at the Ballpark in Durant, Ok. Johnson pitched three innings allowing six hits and six runs -- four earned -- while walking two and striking out one. Johnson's record is 1-2.
Tom Klapp (junior, Elkford, BC) had a day to remember inside the Hubert H. Humphrey MetroDome in Minneapolis. Klapp knocked in four runs, thanks to a triple and a single as the Valley City Vikings beat the Macalester Scots 10-3 in one game of the doubleheader before 100 fans. Right-hander Aren Nelson (junior, Calgary, Alta.) picked up the win allowing four hits and three runs -- two earned -- while walking two and striking out four in five innings. Right-hander Marcus Turner (senior, Surrey, BC) took the loss for Macalester pitching two innings, allowing three hits and five runs -- four earned -- while walking three and striking out two. And in the other game, Klapp took the mound and pitched a complete-game shutout in a 10-0 win. Klapp allowed two hits, while walking three and striking out four. Klapp also singled and drove in a run, while his battery mate Ryley Hunter (freshman, Cranbrook, BC) did the same.
Right-hander Matt Kniginyzky (junior, Mississauga, Ont.) took the loss as the High Point Panthers dropped an 8-4 decision to the Charlotte 49ers before 117 fans at Phillips Field in Charlotte, NC. Kniginyzky pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing four hits and six runs -- five earned -- while walking four and striking out five. Kniginyzky is now 0-2 on the season.
Outfielder Sean Latimer (freshman, London, Ont.) had a pair of hits as the Barton Bulldogs beat the Wilmington Wildcats 12-6 at the Barton Athletic Complex in Wilson, NC.
Catcher Aaron Lavaroto (senior, Lethbridge, Alta.) had a pair of hits and drove in a run as the Wayne State Wildcats beat Missouri Western 6-5 before 121 fans at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo. Lavaroto singled and drove in a run an 8-4 loss Missouri Western. Reliever Mark Bignell (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) pitched a scoreless inning, fanning one.
Right fielder Kyle Leon (senior, Guelph, Ont.) knocked in two runs as the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers beat the Ball State Cardinals 9-6 at the Young Memorial Field in Birmingham, Ala. The former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week also singled and drove in a run in a 5-2 win over David Letterman's alma-mater before 442 fans. Leon singled, drove in a run and stole a base in an 8-5 win over Ball State before 338 fans. Leon had three hits and drove in a run as the Blazers beat the Samford Bulldogs 2-1 before 210 fans in Birmingham. Trailing 1-0 in the eighth, Leon singled home the tying run in the eighth. "We knew if we could get Kyle Leon to the plate we had a chance," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. The Blazers are off to a 10-0 start, the best in school history.
Catcher Chris Leroux (freshman, Mississauga, Ont.) doubled in a run to help the Winthrop Eagles beat the Kent State Golden Flashes 8-2 before 453 fans at the Winthrop Ballpark in Rock Hill, SC. Reliever Ryan Chenard (senior, Port Alberni, BC) retired the only man he faced. Pinch hitting Mark Schmidt (sophomore, Waterloo, Ont.) singled and drove in a run in Winthrop's 28-5 win over Wagner Seahawks, which featured a 10-run first inning before 387 fans. Schmidt worked a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit and fanning one. Leroux worked a scoreless 2/3 innings walking two and striking out one, while Chenard worked a scoreless 1/3 of an inning allowing one hit and walking one.
Reliever Jon Lockwood (junior, Toronto, Ont.) pitched 1 1/3 innings in the Louisiana Tech 17-5 win over the Mississippi Rebels before 1,472 fans at Swayze Field in Oxford, Miss. Lockwood allowed one hit and two runs, while walking two and striking out two.
DH Adam Loewen (freshman, Surrey, BC) doubled and singled as the Chipola Indians beat Central Alabama 8-0 in the Chipola Fibercare Classic at Marianna, Fla. Catcher Cole Armstrong (sophomore, Surrey, BC) singled, while Loewen also knocked in a run. Armstrong singled in a 4-1 loss to the Lake City Timberwolves. Armstrong knocked in a pair of runs in a 7-2 win over Louisburg while Loewen added a double. More worrisome for Loewen, the Baltimore Orioles, who drafted Loewen fourth over-all and the Chipola was the fact that Loewen did not pitch in the tourney and has not pitched since working one inning in a 3-3 tie with the Lake City Timberwolves. Loewen walked the lead-off hitter of the inning, then got the next two outs on a roller to first and a strike out. Loewen, according to reports, took himself out with a sore arm. The large contingent of scouts watching him warm up, trickled away after he left the game.
Catcher Jeff Martin (junior, Burlington, Ont.) singled as the Northwestern State Demons rallied from a 12-run deficit to win the Holiday Inn/Citgo Classic tournament at Indian Field in Monroe, La. The Demons were down 13-1 heading into the fifth inning, but 18 runs in the last three innings allowed Northwestern State to beat the Louisiana-Monroe Indians 24-16 before 533 fans. Martin had a pair of hits in Northwestern State's 8-4 win over the Missouri Tigers, top move to 2-0 in the tourney And in the opening win by the Demons, also with Martin behind the plate, the Demons beat Northern Iowa 7-4 in front of 489 fans.
Reliever Chris McBride (senior, Moose Jaw, Sask.) allowed one hit and two runs in 1/3 of an inning as the North Dakota State Bison lost 12-2 to the Colorado Mines Orediggers at the Digger Dome in Golden, Col.
Centre fielder Josh McCurdy (senior, Thornhill, Ont.) had a pair of hits, including a double, as the Niagara Purple Eagles dropped a 9-7 decision to the Furman Paladins before 257 fans at the at Furman Baseball Stadium in Greenville, S.C. Shortstop Andrew MacNevin (freshman, St. Catharines, PEI) and second baseman Vince Ircandia (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) each singled and drove in a run. Left-hander Mike Radanovic (freshman, Surrey, B.C.) took the loss allowing 10 hits and eight runs -- seven earned -- in five innings. Reliever Kyle Nicoletta (freshman, Oakville, Ont.) pitched one inning allowing one hit and one run. Reliever Christopher Cerchie (sophomore, LaSalle Ont.) pitched 1 1/3 innings in the other game of the doubleheader, an 8-6 Furman win. Cerchie allowed three hits and two unearned runs while fanning one. MacNevin singled in a run for the Eagles. McCurdy homered in the season opener, a 3-2 loss to the Wofford Terriers at Spartanburg, SC. Niagara trailed 1-0 in the top of the seventh when he homered to centre tying the game 1-1. McCurdy, a tri-captain, also singled. centre to tie the game at one all. McCurdy went 2-4 on the day. MacNevin singled in the lead run in the eighth for a 2-1 lead and also doubled. Nicolleta gave up the eventual game wining home run. Reed Eastley (sophomore, Brandon, Man.) singled.
Shortstop John McHugh (junior, Edmonton, Alta.) homered in a Peru State OCats 5-2 loss to Benedict at Atichson, Kan. In the other game of the doubleheader, Catcher Brad Wolansky (sophomore, St. Albert, Atla.) had one singled in a 6-0 loss.
Third baseman Ryan McKinnon (sophomore, Stoney Creek, Ont.) drove in a run as the Louisville Cardinals beat the Eastern Kentucky Colonials before 101 fans at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville.
Right-hander Brooks McNiven (senior, Vernon, BC) is making a mark for himself as the June draft approaches. McNiven pitched eight solid innings as the British Columbia Thunderbirds beat 7 Vanguard 7-1 at Vanguard Stadium in Costa Mesa, Calif. McNiven allowed seven hits and one unearned run while fanning three. McNiven moved to 2-0. Reliever Cory Stuart (sophomore, White Rock, BC) pitched a scoreless ninth and recorded two strikeouts. Outfielder Adam Campbell (sophomore, Surrey, BC) doubled and singled, while DH Waleed Elabed (senior, Brampton, Ont.) and second baseman Matt Kittleson (senior, Coquitlam, BC) each had a pair of hits and two RBIs. Catcher Ian Prescott (sophomore, Barrie, Ont.) added a double. First baseman Ben Herman (senior, Sherwood Park, Alta.) had three hits in UBC's 11-6 loss to the Portland Pilots before 222 fans at Pilot Stadium in Portland, Org. Shortstop Davey Wallace (freshman, Toronto, Ont.) had a pair of hits and an RBI for the T-Birds, while Prescott hit another double.
Catcher Aaron McRae (senior, Delta, B.C.) had three hits and three RBIs as the Louisiana State Shreveport Pilots defeated Springhill 5-4 in Mobile, Ala. McRae tripled, while DH Myles Fletcher (senior, Lethbridge, Alta.) singled. McRae tripled and singled in LSUS's 10-2 win over Springhill. Shortstop Tyler Arishenkoff (senior, Lethbridge, Alta.) and Fletcher also added singles. Fletcher knocked in two runs in an 11-0 win over Springhill.
Outfielder Vincent Michaud (sophomore, Charlesbourg, Que.) delivered a walk-off home run as the No. 21-ranked North Central Texas Lions rallied to beat the Hutchinson Dragons 6-4 at Gainesville, Tx. With the score tied, Michaud made sure the Lions left the field as winners with a two-run blast over the right field fence. Michard also had a three-run, first-inning homer in a 7-0 win over the Texarkana Bulldogs. Michaud had another RBI in the fourth for a four-RBI game. Michaud homered again and doubled in a 5-4 loss in the second game of the doubleheader. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth and doubled in a run in the seventh. Michaud hit a solo homer in the Lions 18-6 win over Dodge City in Gainesville. He also knocked in a pair of runs in the nitecap, a 7-4 win over Dodge City. Michaud singled in a run in a 6-2 loss to Northeast Texas at Mt. Pleasant, Tx. In a 13-3 win over Waterford, Michaud doubled in a run. The Lions won the nitecap 10-3 as Michaud singled, doubled and hit a scoring fly ball.
Catcher Justin Miller (senior, Sherwood Park, Alta.) drove in a pair of runs as South Dakota beat St. Olaf 8-3 at the the Hubert H. Humphrey MetroDome in Minneapolis.
Right-hander Curtis Morrison (junior, Brandon, Man.) picked up the victory as the No. 8-ranked Armstrong Atlantic Pirates beat the Mercyhurst Lakers 19-4 in the 2003 Savannah Invitational at Savannah, Ga. Morrison hurled three innings of one-hit ball, striking out four, to pick up his fourth win of the season. Reliever Brian Dice (junior, Ladysmith, BC) hurled five innings, striking out six, in his longest outing of the season. Morrison, a former SLAM! Canadian Baseball College Player of the Week, had a no-decision as Armstrong Atlantic, a Division II school, beat the Division I Michigan Wolverines 11-4 before 864 fans at Grayson Stadium in the Memorial Heath Diamond Classic in Savannah. Morrison pitched five innings allowing two hits and one run, while walking six and fanning six. Armstrong Atlantic won the game with seven runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Left fielder Adam Morton (sophomore, Toronto, Ont.) had a pair of hits in the Wright State Raider's 13-3 loss to the Western Carolina Catamounts before 216 fans at Hennon Field in Cullowhee, NC. Morton took over in left for Kofi Gyimah (senior, Woodbridge, Ont.), who also singled. Gyimah singled in a 7-6 loss to Western Carolina in front of 154 fans.
Third baseman Ivan Naccarata homered as the No. 12-ranked Louisiana State Tigers beat the No. 20-ranked Houston Cougars 5-2 before 7,249 fans Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. With the Tigers winning 2-0 in the sixth, Naccarata hit the first pitch to right centre. Besides his first home run, Naccarata singled and knocked in two runs. Naccarata singled in a 7-2 loss to Houston. Naccarata tripled in a run in the eighth inning of a 9-4 win over the the Lousiana-Monroe Indians before 7,201 fans.
Third baseman Stephen Nam (freshman, Mississauga, Ont.) went 3-for-4 the Grayson County Vikings beat the Texarkana Bulldogs 12-2. Nam also singled and drove in a run in a 13-3 win over Texarkana.
Reliever Nat Ogborne (junior, Pickering, Ont.) picked up the win as the Liberty Flames scored three runs in the sixth for a 5-4 win over the William & Mary Tribe before 103 fans at Worthington Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. Ogborne took over in the fifth with the game deadlocked 2-2. He pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing four hits and two runs -- one earned -- while fanning three and walking two. Ogborne is now 1-0.
Third baseman Kevin Powell (junior, Coquitlam, BC) had a perfect day, going 2-for-2 as the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers beat the Lincoln Blue Tigers at LU Baseball Field in Jefferson City, Mo. Powell also singled in a 4-3 loss to Lincoln.
Shortstop Ben Quinto (senior Richmond B.C.) had two hits as the the San Diego Toreros beat the California Irvine Anteaters 7-1 at before 262 fans at Cunningham Stadium in San Diego. Quinto also singled in an 8-4 loss to Irvine before 522 fans.
Right-hander Louie Raptopoulos (junior, Mississauga, Ont.) took the loss as the Lyon Scots dropped a 15-10 decision to the Henderson State Reddies before 200 fans at Batesville, Ark. Raptopoulos worked 1 2/3 innings allowing eight hits and seven runs, while fanning four. He left with Lyon trailing 7-3.
Shortstop Rob Recuenco (sophomore, Vancouver, B.C.) singled in the Oregon State Beavers' 18-16 win over the New Mexico Lobos before 105 fans at at Cohen Field in the Baseball Fiesta in El Paso, Tx. Rob Lacheur (junior, Delta, BC) pitched a scoreless inning for New Mexico in the high-scoring affair. Recuenco had two hits in a 15-7 loss to the New Mexico State Aggies. Oregon State trailed 14-0 to rally and score 16 unanswered runs for a 16-14 win over New Mexico State, before 203 fans. The Beavers capped the comeback thanks to eight runs in the eighth, with Recuenco scored one of the key runs of the eight-run eighth on a successful squeeze. Meanwhile at the Coca-Cola Classic, the Beavers fell to No. 6-ranked Arizona State 9-4 in the finale before 1,303 fans at Surprise, Az. Recuenco contributed a single. OSU beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first two games of the tournament.
DH Chuck Roberts (junior, London, Ont.) homered as the Tusculum Pioneers beat the Carson-Newman Eagles 7-5 at at Pioneer Park in Greeneville, Tenn. Besides hitting a solo homer to left centre, he singled.
Catcher Chris Robinson (freshman, Dorchester, Ont.) doubled in the Illinois Fighting Illini 10-7 win over the Kansas State Wildcats at the Service Academy Classic before 385 fans at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn.
Left fielder Ryan Roeder (sophomore, Waterloo, Ont.) had a pair of hits, including a double as the Lander Sanators dropped a 9-0 decision to the South Carolina-Aiken Pacers before 208 fans at J.H. Satcher Field in Aiken, S.C. Playing second Roeder singled as Lander lost 7-6 to Aiken in extra innings before 194 fans. Roeder also singled in a 4-3 loss to Aiken before 176 fans.
Shortstop Matt Rogelstad (junior, Coquitlam, BC) had a pair of hits and plated a run as the Arkansas State Indians beat the McNeese State Cowboys 9-3 in front of 550 fans at Cowboy Diamond in Lake Charles, LA. Rogelstad also had a pair of hits and drove in a run in an 8-7 loss to McNeese State before 310 fans. Right-hander Karnie Vertz (junior, Sherwood Park, Alta.) started for Arkansas State but did not figure in the decision. Vertz left after six innings with a 5-4 lead, giving up eight hits and five runs -- three earned -- while walking one and fanning four.
Catcher Rich Russell (freshman, Toronto, Ont.) homered as the Marshall Thundering Herd lost 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth to the Charleston Southern Buccaneers before 278 fans at Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC. Russell also singled and knocked in two runs. DH Craig Dziedziejko (senior, Kitchener, Ont.) singled and drove in a run.
Steven Sarchuk (freshman, Edmonton, Alta.) is off to a good start for the Frank Phillips Plainsmen. Through the first five game Sarchuk is hitting .461 (6-for-13) with two doubles and two triples. Aaron Cotter (freshman, South Slocan BC) is 1-0, pitching 9 1/3 innings with a 7.71 ERA, while Kirk Gourlay (sophomore, Hamilton, Ont.) has pitched five innings and owns a 9.00 ERA.
Outfielder Michael Schlekewy (junior, Calgary, Alta.) singles as the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders edged the Southwest Texas State Bobcats 5-4 in 11 innings before 583 fans at Bobcat Field in San Marcos, Tx.
Right fielder Dustin Schroer (sophomore, Surrey, BC) drove in a pair of runs as the Eastern Oklahoma Mountaineers were edged 5-4 by the Texarkana Bulldogs. Lefty Ryan Lennerton (freshman, Langley, BC) started for the Mountaineers but was not involved in the decision. Lennerton worked 3 2/3 innings allowing three runs -- one earned -- while fanning one and walking five. Schroer singled in a 3-2 loss to Texarkana.
Jared Schweitzer (sophomore, Sherwood Park, Alta.) had a 7-for-7 day, while the Prairie Baseball Academy Prairie Dawgs went 0-for-2. Schweitzer was 3-for-3 with two doubles in the first game, a 6-2 loss to Salt Lake Bruins in Las Vegas. Luis Roberts (freshman, Dartmouth, NS) took the loss. Schweitzer again went 4-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.in the second game but the Bruins capitalized on one bad inning and won 14-2, tagging Tahylor Law (sophomore, Calgary, Alta.) took the loss. Catcher Jermaine Chabot (sophomore, Lloydminster, Alta.) had a double and a single as the PBA beat Whitman in the opener of the Kight Invitational at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Wash. Left fielder Paul Gerlach (freshman, St. Albert, Alta.) homered and knocked in three runs in support of Dustin Molleken, who picked up the win. Molleken pitched 4 2/3 innings allowing four hits and three runs -- two earned -- while walking two and fanning four. Right fielder Jon Mailman (sophomore, Sherwood Park, Alta.) homered in the second game, an 11-6 loss to Western Baptist. The PBA then dropped a 2-0 decision to Western Baptist, as Roberts pitched a complete-game, one-hitter. Roberts allowing one hit and two runs, while walking two and striking out three. Mailman added a double. Catcher Craig Paskal (freshman, Fort Macleod, Alta.) had two hits and an RBI, while Mailman had a pair of hits in a 4-3 PBA win over Whitman. The Dawgs won their first game of the season as Jordan Keller (sophomore, Melville, Sask), who hit two home runs and had five RBIs, helped the Dawgs to an 18-6 win over Moraine Valley in Vegas. Chabot was 4-for-5 with four RBIs and four doubles. Schweitzer was 4-for-5 with a double. Kevin Gregus (sophomore, Lethbridge, Alta.) and Mailman both hit homeruns and had 2 RBIs. Creg Leishman (sophomore, Coaldale, Alta.) picked up the win in relief working three innings and giving up three hits and one run.
Reliever Phil Sobkow (junior, Calder, Sask.) picked up his first save as the Central Oklahoma Muleriders edged the Central Oklahoma Bronchos 2-1 at Broncho Field in Edmond, Ok. And, it was one of those old-fashioned saves. Sobkow entered the game in the top of the fifth with a 2-1 lead. Sobkow worked three innings, allowing one hit and striking out five.
Third baseman Russell Smithson (freshman, Port Coquitlam, BC) of the El Paso Tejanos was hotter than a jalapeno in El Paso's four-game sweep over Western Texas as the Tejanos bumped their record 12-3-1. Smithson went 7-for-11 with seven RBIs. He doubled three times and scored seven times. Smithson is hitting .560 (14-for-25 with 11 RBIs and eight runs scored.
Shortstop Matt Spatafora (junior, Toronto, Ont.) singled as the Arkansas Little Rock Trojans lost 5-2 to the Lamar Cardinals at Vincent-Beck in Beaumont, Tx.
Right-hander Jeff Steele (junior, Powell River, BC) pitched the No. 24-ranked Oklahoma Baptist Bison to a 13-5 win over No. 4-ranked Bellevue at Bison Field. Steele went the distance, pitching seven innings, allowing 12 hits and five runs -- four earned -- while walking one and striking out four. Outfielder Chris Eng (senior, Langley, BC) was 2-4 with one home run and four RBIs.
Catcher Adam Strongman (freshman, Caledonia, Ont.) singled and drove in a run as the No. 14-ranked USC Aiken Pacers edged the Carson-Newman Eagles 5-2 before 116 fans at J.H. Satcher Field in Aiken, SC. Strongman also singled in a 15-13 loss to Carson-Newman before 192 fans. Third baseman Ian Kowalchuk (freshman, St. Catharines, Ont.) singled and knocked in a run in Aiken's 16-1 romp over the Lincoln Railsplitters before 372 fans in Aiken, as Strongman added a base knock. Strongman had a pair of hits in the Pacers 14-8 defeat to the Presbyterian Blue Hose at the PC Baseball Complex in Clinton, SC. Strongman went 2-for-3 as Aiken lost in the bottom of the seventh 6-5 to the Georgia College & State Bulldogs.before 234 fans at John Kurtz Field in Milledgeville, Ga. Strongman added a single in a 4-3, bottom-of-the-ninth 4-3, victory over the No. 26 Lander Senators in Aiken, before 179 fans. Strongman doubled and knocked in a run in a 10-7 win over the Milligan Buffaloes before 138 fans at Aiken, while Kowalchuk added a single. Again, against Milligan, Strongman had a pair of hits and an RBI, in a 16-2 win at Aiken.
Third baseman Kevin Sytko (senior, Surrey, BC) doubled and knocked in a run as the South Alabama Jaguars clawed the St. John's Red Storn 19-3 in the opener of the 18th Annual Coca-Cola Classic before 1,475 fans at Eddie Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala. After beating the Northwestern 15-7, USA dropped an 8-0 decision to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the tournament championship game before 1,125 fans. Sytko singled for the Jags.
Left-hander Drew Taylor (sophomore, Leaside, Ont.) made his first start for the Michigan Wolverines at the annual Memorial Health Diamond Classic tournament in Savannah, Ga. And when Taylor took the mound and looked in he saw plenty of familiar faces in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets lineup. Taylor pitched for Georgia Tech in 2002 and transferred to Michigan in the fall. The No. 3-ranked Wolverines scored in the bottom of the ninth to edge Michigan 7-6 before 875 fans at Grayson Stadium. Taylor worked 3 2/3 innings allowing two hits and one run, walking seven and striking out two. He excited with the game deadlocked 1-1.
Catcher Jeff Werhun (freshman, St. Albert, Alta.) singled and scored as the California Irvine Anteaters beat the San Diego Tueros 10-2 before 501 fans at Cunningham Stadium in San Diego.
First baseman Tyler Williams (freshman, Delta, B.C.) had a pair of hits to help the Missouri Tigers beat the Northern Iowa Tigers 11-4 in the 2003 Holiday Inn/Citgo Classic at Indian Field in Monroe, La. Playing right field, Williams singled in an 8-4 loss to the Northwestern State Demons in another tourney game.
-- With files from Conor Adami
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