Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
In the homecoming weekend of 2023 in Sault Ste Marie over the September 16th and 17th weekend the Sault College Cougars baseball program were coming off by two losses on September 16th to the visiting George Brown Huskies to return to action on September 17th when they hosted the Humber Hawks in a doubleheader at IDA Park.
In game one of the doubleheader in Sault Ste Marie, the Cougars defeated the visiting Humber Hawks 6 – 4 at IDA Park.
The Hawks opened the scoring in the first after Aidan Murphy grounded out, scoring one run. Humber added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Justin Groves scored after tagging up, and Hudson Lockwood singles, each scoring one run.
The Cougars made the score 4 – 3 in the bottom of the third after Aiden Russel singled, scoring one run, and Jordan Ritchie tripled, scoring two runs.
Dylan White doubled on a 0 – 2 count, which helped the Hawks tie the game at 4 – 4 in the top of the fifth. Sault College took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning after Colin Sirois grounded out, and Humber committed an error, each scoring one run.
Cole Masse earned the win for the Cougars. They allowed three hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking none. Ronan Hayes took the loss for the Hawks. The reliever went four innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking out four and walking none. Matthew Forsey started the game for Sault College. The starting pitcher surrendered five hits and four runs (two earned) over four innings, striking out three and walking six. Callum Blue left things off on the bump for the Hawks. They allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) over two innings, striking out none and walking four.
Sirois and Ritchie were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the Cougars. Jayden Valle led Sault College with three hits in four at bats, Sirois, Dylan Rudge, and Valle each stole multiple bases for the hosts. The Cougars ran wild on the base paths, collecting seven stolen bases in the game.
Groves and Lockwood each collected two hits for Humber. White, Murphy, Jack St Louis, and Lockwood each drove in one run for the Hawks. Humber had a strong eye at the plate, amassing six walks for the game. David Boatto and Lockwood led the team with two walks each. Lockwood stole three bases.
In game two on Sunday, both teams were strong on the hill but the Hawks were just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3 – 2 victory of the Cougars. Carter Gallivan started the game for the Sault College and recorded 17 outs.
A fielder’s choice by Travis Rainey put the Cougars on the board in the bottom of the first. Hudson Lockwood singled after a 6-pitch at bat which helped Humber tie the game at one in the top of the third. The Hawks jumped back into the lead in the top of the sixth inning after Cam Hahnfield singled, and Dylan White walked, each scoring one run. Juandiego Lagunes earned the win for Humber. The starting pitcher surrendered one hit and one run (zero earned) over six innings, striking out 12 and walking two.
Gallivan took the loss for the Cougars. The right handed pitcher went five and two thirds innings surrendering three runs (zero earned) on three hits striking out six and walking none. Colin Sirois, Lucas Ingratta, and Rainey each collected one hit for the Cougars. Ingratta went 1-for-1 at the plate as the first baseman led the team with one run batted in. Jayden Valle stole two bases. Sault College turned one double play in the loss.
The Cougars next opponent will the Lambton Lions on September 23rd and the St Clair Saints on September 24th on the road.
