Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Sault College Cougars opened their 2026 OCAA men’s baseball season on the road over the September 5th and 6th weekend, taking on the Humber Hawks in a three-game series.
The Cougars battled throughout the weekend but were unable to secure a victory, dropping all three contests to Humber. Sault College fell 6-3 in Saturday’s opening game, suffered a 9-2 loss in the second game of the day, and closed out the weekend with a 13-2 loss on Sunday.
The three-game results leave the Cougars with an 0-3 record to begin the 2026 campaign.
Despite the difficult start, the opening weekend provided Sault College with an important opportunity to evaluate the team and identify areas that need to improve as the season progresses.
“The biggest thing we’ve learned is that we have a competitive group that needs to continue learning how to play together and execute consistently,” said the Cougars’ coaching staff. “The first three games exposed some areas where we need to be better, particularly in the moments that can change the outcome of a game.”
The Cougars also gained valuable experience competing through three seven-inning games over the course of the weekend.
“Our guys are learning what it takes to compete in three, seven-inning games over the weekend and how important it is to stay locked in pitch to pitch and inning to inning,” the coaching staff added.
Game One: Humber 6, Sault College 3
The Cougars opened the season Saturday with a 6-3 loss to the Hawks.
Sault College got on the scoreboard first in the opening inning. Cayson Scotland scored on an RBI double from Ben Weatherbee, giving the Cougars an early 1-0 lead.
Humber answered in the bottom half of the inning when Luke Sherwin drove in Jack St. Louis with a single to tie the game.
The Hawks took a 2-1 lead in the second inning, but Sault College responded in the third.
Weatherbee delivered one of the biggest offensive moments of the weekend, launching a two-run home run to left field that scored Gabriel Eichmann and put the Cougars back in front 3-2.
Humber would tie the game in the bottom of the third before taking the lead in the fourth when St. Louis doubled home Braedan Fischer.
The Hawks added another run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch before extending their advantage to 6-3 in the sixth.
Weatherbee’s two-run homer and three total RBIs provided a major offensive highlight for the Cougars, but Sault College couldn’t produce another rally as Humber held on for the 6-3 victory.
Brennan West started on the mound for Sault College, facing 25 batters and throwing 82 pitches, 51 of them for strikes. Frankie Buda and Josh Cooney also saw action in relief.
Game Two: Humber 9, Sault College 2
The Cougars returned to the field later Saturday for the second game of the doubleheader, falling 9-2 to Humber.
Once again, Sault College struck first.
Weatherbee continued his strong opening day at the plate, driving in Eichmann with a first-inning single to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Humber answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 advantage.
Sault College tied the game in the second when Josh Cooney came around to score on a wild pitch, with Cayson Scotland advancing to second and Tyler McCrea moving to third.
The game remained close through the early innings before Humber began to pull away.
The Hawks regained the lead in the third inning and added five runs in the sixth to take a 7-2 advantage. Humber added two more runs later in the inning to complete the scoring at 9-2.
John Gignac started on the mound for Sault College, facing 22 batters and throwing 86 pitches, including 47 strikes. Ryan Tays and Josh Cooney also pitched in relief.
Despite the result, the Cougars showed offensive flashes early in the game before Humber’s late-inning production proved to be the difference.
Game Three: Humber 13, Sault College 2
The Cougars closed out the weekend Sunday, September 6th, against Humber, with the Hawks earning a 13-2 victory.
Humber came out quickly, scoring twice in the opening inning before adding three more runs in the second to build a 5-0 lead.
The Hawks continued to add to their advantage in the fourth inning, scoring twice to make it 7-0.
Sault College finally got on the board in the fourth.
Michael Starzomski and John Gignac scored when Kolton Tremblay delivered an RBI single to right field, cutting the Humber lead to 7-2.
Humber responded with another run in the fifth before putting together another productive inning in the sixth. The Hawks scored four times in the sixth, including runs coming home on a wild pitch and a balk, to extend their lead to 11-2.
Humber added two more runs later to complete the 13-2 victory.
Gabriel Eichmann started for the Cougars, facing 23 batters and throwing 74 pitches, with 40 strikes. Olavi Ojanpera followed in relief.
Areas to Improve
Following the three-game opening weekend, the Cougars know there are several areas that need to improve if they are going to turn their early-season results around.
“We need to be more consistent in all three phases of the game,” the coaching staff explained.
Offensively, Sault College wants to improve its approach at the plate and capitalize when opportunities arise.
“Offensively, we need to do a better job of putting together quality at-bats and taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.”
On the mound, the focus will be on limiting free bases and executing in pressure situations.
“We need to limit free bases and make pitches when we get into pressure situations.”
Defensively, the Cougars will look to become more reliable on routine plays.
“Defensively, we need to be cleaner and more consistent with the routine plays. Ultimately, it comes down to execution and playing a more complete game.”
Positives Despite the 0-3 Start
While the record is not where the Cougars want it to be, there were encouraging signs throughout the opening weekend.
The coaching staff was pleased with the way the players continued to compete and remained together despite the three losses.
“There have definitely been positives. I’ve liked the way our guys have continued to compete and stay together despite the results,” the coaching staff said.
“We’ve had players step up in different situations, and there have been stretches where we’ve shown the kind of baseball we’re capable of playing.”
Weatherbee’s offensive production, including his two-run home run and three RBIs in the opening game, was one of the individual highlights of the weekend, while the Cougars also showed stretches of strong offensive and competitive play.
“Our effort has been good, and our players understand that the only way to move forward is to continue working,” the coaching staff added. “There is a lot of baseball left to play, and we have a group that is hungry to improve.”
Looking Ahead
With the opening weekend now behind them, the Cougars will have an opportunity to regroup and prepare for their next road trip.
Sault College will take its 0-3 record into Brampton, Ontario, on September 12th and 13th, where the Cougars will face the Sheridan Bruins at Bruins Athletic Complex in another three-game road trip.
The Bruins open their 2026 season on September 8th at Quenippenon Meadows Community Park in Mississauga when they face the Durham Lords.
For the Cougars, the next series represents an opportunity to apply the lessons learned against Humber and begin building momentum.
“We’re looking for consistency, toughness and attention to detail,” said the coaching staff. “We don’t need to reinvent who we are after three games. We need to get better at the things we’ve identified and trust the work we’re putting in every day.”
Turning the season around will require a collective effort from the entire program.
“Turning things around will require everyone in the program — players and coaches — to stay committed to the process and hold each other accountable.”
The Cougars understand the importance of their 0-3 start, but they are not allowing the early record to define the season.
“The record is 0-3, and we’re disappointed with that, but we also know it’s early,” the coaching staff said. “Our focus is on getting better every day, preparing the right way and putting ourselves in position to compete.”
“If we do those things consistently, we’ll give ourselves a chance to change the direction of the season.”
