The top two ranked baseball teams in the country are the Queen's Golden Gaels and the Guelph Gryphons.
And one reason each are doing so well are CF Jason Sukhraj of the Gaels and RHP Alex Hawley of the Gryphons.
So, this week Hawley (Mississauga, Ont.) and Sukhraj xxx share honours as Slam! Canadian Baseball Co-Players of the Week for Week 3.
Sukhraj hit .357 with four stolen bases, three RBIs, a double and a homer for the No. 1 ranked Gaels.
Hawley threw a complete-game, one-hit shutout in a 6-0 win over the first-place the Laurier Golden Hawks at Bechtel Park in Waterloo, Ont.
Hawley, who pitched for coach Ron Szczepanowski and the Mississauga Majors, struck out six and walked three.
Considered for the Player of the Week last week, Hawley picked up his second win of the season. The second year pitcher has lead Guelph to a hot start to the season.
Also receiving consideration this week were Derek Junkin (Whitby, Ont.) of the Waterloo Warriors, who threw a complete-game three-hitter with eight strikeouts; Neil McBride (Ajax, Ont.) of McMaster, who batted .500 (6-for-12) for the week with five RBIs;
Chris Mokriy (Etobicoke, Ont.), a Laurier Golden Hawk who finished the week hitting .385 (5-for-13) also with five RBIs; RP Steve Panno, of the York Lions, who picked up a win and a save in a doubleheader sweep over the Durham Lords; Gord Robertson, of Durham, who worked 9 2/3 innings allowing nine hits and four runs, while striking out seven in a 10-inning, loss to York.
How the week went for Sukhraj and the rest of the Gaels as he:
_ Singled and swiped two bases in a 7-1 win over the George Brown Huskies at Megaffin Field in Kingston -- Canada's first capital.
_ Singled and stole a base in a 7-2 win over George Brown.
_ Singled, stole two base and knocked in a run in a 12-4 win over George Brown at Christie Pitts. He was hit with two pitches and scored three times.
_ Homered, doubled and knocked in two runs in a 6-0 win over George Brown.
Linescores and capsules
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Laurier |
300 |
031 |
100 |
8 |
11 |
2 |
| Brock |
102 |
001 |
200 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
W-Jon Leyland (1-0); L-Jason Muller (0-1) S-Rob Thompson (1)
Brock's three-error first inning was a key breakout for the Hawks offense. Laurier capitalized for three runs in it. Chris Mokriy had a huge day for the Hawks with a three-hit, three RBI night. Hawk pitcher Jon Leyland had a solid OUA debut going six innings, while allowing just three runs. Matt Young, David Onyett-Jeffries and Pat Kropf all pitched in with two hits for Laurier. The Badgers' offense was lead by Adam Vella, who had three hits, and also stole home.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| McMaster |
500 |
003 |
200 |
16 |
3 |
4 |
| Toronto |
010 |
000 |
000 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
W-Kevin Wallace (1-0); L-Joe Callaghan (0-1)
HR-Matt Bylow (1).
Mac used an unheard of 12-run ninth inning to defeat the Blues. U of T's 9 errors lead to just three of the 16 runs being earned. Neil McBride lead the way offensively for the Marauders going 4-6 with 3 RBI. Jeremy Paikin hit a home run, and drove in two for Mac. To show the extremity of the lopsided contest and the poor defense, Toronto reliever Scott Hughes went allowed a whopping eight unearned runs.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Toronto |
110 |
000 |
200 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
| Laurier |
500 |
000 |
100 |
6 |
13 |
4 |
W-John Jurgaitis (1-1), L-Harmon Brar (1-1) S-Rob Thompson (2).
The Blues troubles continued early in this one with the Hawks lighting up Toronto starter Harmon Brar for five runs in the first. Again, Toronto's errors played a part, as they made four in the game. To his credit, Brar, a former Slam! Canadian Baseball Player of the Week, pitched very strongly throughout the rest of his 5 1/3 innings. Chris Mokriy continued his torrid pace, going 2-4 with two RBI. David Onyett-Jeffries, David Krant and Jeff Brunsek also chipped in with a pair of hits each. Toronto managed to pick up nine hits, including two each off the bats of Khalil Sheriff and Daniel Lee, but were kept off the scoreboard by Laurier starter John Jurgaitis, who frequently pitched the Hawks out of jams. Robbie Thompson worked two innings to pick up his second save of the season.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Western |
500 |
000 |
100 |
6 |
13 |
4 |
| Waterloo |
110 |
000 |
20x |
4 |
9 |
2 |
W-Wes Koch (2-0), L-Ryan Butkowsky (0-1).
HR-Sean Grimes (1).
Waterloo received another strong outing from starter Wes Koch, who went 7.1 innings and allowed just two runs, while striking out eight. They were lead by Brendan Smith, who had a homer and four RBI. Scott Van Dyk and Jeff Murdoch added two hits each for the Warriors. The Mustangs got a pair of hits from Mike Winter and Benjamin Rich. Former Blue Jays farmhand Sean Grimes homered for Western.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| McMaster |
000 |
000 |
000 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
| Waterloo |
200 |
000 |
00x |
2 |
7 |
0 |
W-Derek Junkin (2-0), L-Mark Ferguson (1-1).
The Warriors rode a strong start from Derek Junkin to the victory. Junkin threw seven shutout innings, while striking out eight. Leading the Warriors offense were Chris Dietrich and Scott Van Dyk. After a Waterloo two-run first, the rest of the game turned out to be a pitcher's dual as Junkin and the Marauder's Mark Ferguson put up goose-eggs for the rest of the game.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| McMaster |
500 |
000 |
100 |
6 |
13 |
4 |
| Waterloo |
110 |
000 |
200 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
W-Mike Fortuna (1-1), L-John McNabb (0-2).
HR-Neil McBride (2).
Mac salvaged the split with the victory in Game 2. Neil McBride hit his OUA-leading second home run for the Marauders and drove in two. Dave White also drove in two and had two stolen bases for Mac. Waterloo was lead by Brendan Smith who went 2-4 with two RBIs. Jeremy Rose and Derek Sinko also had a pair of hits for the Warriors. Mike Fortuna picked up the win for McMaster.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Guelph |
000 |
222 |
000 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
| Laurier |
000 |
000 |
000 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
W-Alex Hawley (2-0), L-Tim Lawrence (0-1).
Alex Hawley threw a complete game, one-hitter for the Gyphons in Game 1 of the double header. Hawley struck-out six and walked three for his second straight shutout. Laurier were victims of the error spoiling a good start by Tim Lawrence who struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings while giving up five unearned runs. In fact, neither team had an RBI at all as of Guelph's runs were unearned. Matt Longo was the offensive sparkplug for the Gryphons, picking up three hits. Kris Klassen, , a former Slam! Canadian Baseball Player of the Week, also continued his hot season going 2-4. This game extended his hitting streak to seven.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Guelph |
010 |
000 |
000 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Laurier |
002 |
010 |
000 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
W-Ryan O'Connor (1-1), L-Andrew Pierce (2-1), S -Rob Thompson (3)
Laurier shook off the Game 1 loss and salvaged the split. Ryan O'Connor pitched a strong game, only his second start in the OUA (after being an outfielder for the past four seasons). He allowed just three hits over six innings for the Hawks. Rob Thompson picked up his third save on the season. David Onyett-Jeffries had knocked in a pair of runs in the first to give Laurier all the scoring it would need in the game. David Krant and Pat Kropf also added a pair of hits for the Hawks. Kris Klassen ran his hitting streak to eight games with a hit in this one.
CIBA Atlantic conference
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| UNB |
100 |
242 |
000 |
9 |
13 |
1 |
| ABU |
020 |
000 |
000 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
W-Dan Estey (2-0), L-Steve Aube (0-1)
Dan Estey of UNB threw a gem in this one. The starter went a complete-game, allowing just one earned run and striking out 13. Corey Stairs of UNB lead the way offensively going 3-4 with 3 RBI. New Brunswick blew it open in the 5th with four runs. The lone bright spot offensively for ABU was Ian Morton, who had an RBI double.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| SMU |
001 |
010 |
000 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
| Dalhousie |
010 |
201 |
000 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
W-Duncan MacLellan (2-0), L-Brian MacIsaac (1-2).
Dal won a back and forth affair on this day. Duncan MacLellan went the distance for the Tigers allowing just five hits and one earned run over the full seven.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| UNB |
501 |
100 |
100 |
8 |
12 |
0 |
| ABU |
200 |
001 |
000 |
3 |
5 |
1 |
W-Ryan MacDonald (1-0), L-David Crossman (0-2).
New Brunswick took the tail end of the Wednesday night double-header. Matt Beckwith, Josh Collins and Corey Christie all picked up a pair of hits for UNB. The victory went to UNB's Ryan MacDonald who picked up an impressive nine strikeouts over six, while allowing three earned runs on five hits. A five-run first sealed the deal for the Cougars. Ian Morton again provided the offense for Atlantic Baptist going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.
Northern Conference
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| John Abbott |
000 |
000 |
000 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
| Carleton |
001 |
240 |
000 |
7 |
9 |
0 |
WP-Ben McGovern; LP-Ryan Ami.
S-Rene Valade.
Dan Osterer was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, as Ben McGovern pitched four scoreless innings striking out six. Rene Valade worked the final three innings, allowing one and fanning four.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Concordia |
010 |
000 |
100 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
| Ottawa |
000 |
004 |
x00 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
WP-Jordan Latimer; LP-Michael Pantin.
Jordan Latimer pitched three innings allowing two hits and one run, while fanning three for the win. Matt Arthur doubled and singled and knocked in a run for Concordia.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| John Abbott |
011 |
00- |
--- |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| Carleton |
252 |
03- |
--- |
12 |
10 |
1 |
WP-Ryan Ballingall; LP-Kevin Weston.
S-Craig Evans
Jon Dale was 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs for the Ravens, as Craig Evans pitched three scoreless innings striking out a pair.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Concordia |
0231 |
230 |
0-- |
11 |
13 |
2 |
| Ottawa |
101 |
010 |
0-- |
3 |
5 |
4 |
WP-Chris Dyer.
HR-Shawn Hopewell.
Chris Dyer pitched six innings allowed five hits and three runs, as he walked four and struck out two. Alex Monfette had a pair of doubles, while Jamieson Boulanger singled and knocked in a run. Michael Pantin singled twice and drove in a pair of runs.
Ontario Conference
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| George Brown |
010 |
000 |
0-- |
0 |
1 |
5 |
| Queen's |
111 |
301 |
0-- |
7 |
11 |
1 |
WP-Mark Greenberg; LP-Andrew Walkey.
HR-Kevin Meade.
Justin Dela Pena doubled, singled and knocked in a run, while Kevin Meade had two singles and a homer, while driving in a pair of runs. Andrew Walkey had a pair of hits for the Huskies in their loss to the Gaels. Kyle Hickson added two hits.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| York |
000 |
000 |
0-- |
0 |
3 |
2 |
| Durham |
010 |
100 |
0-- |
2 |
3 |
0 |
WP-Pat Topping; LP-Mike Stein. S-Mark Nolan
Topping worked five scoreless allowing three hits, walking four and striking out four. Mark Nolan finished up with a hitless final inning. Jeff Ridgway and Sean Graham knocked in runs for the Gaels, while Jason George doubled. Mike Petrole had two hits for the York Lions.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| George Brown |
000 |
000 |
2-- |
2 |
3 |
1 |
| Queen's |
001 |
303 |
0-- |
7 |
9 |
0 |
WP-Lorne Berger; LP-Josh VanDeemter.
HR-Andrew Walkey.
Lorne Berger pitched a complete game allowing three hits and two runs, while striking out three for the Gaels win. Justin Dela Pena had a pair of hits and knocked in two runs, while Todd Larson doubled, singled and knocked in a run. Justin Strozynski had two hits for the Huskies, while Andrew Walkey hit a two-run homer.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| York |
020 |
000 |
000 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
| Durham |
000 |
001 |
000 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
WP-Miguel Sammy, LP-Gord Robertson.
Jaineel Purohit pitched worked 6 1/3 innings allowing three hits and two runs -- one earned -- while striking out six for the Lions. Miguel Sammy pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Gord Robertson worked 9 2/3 innings allowing nine hits and four runs, while striking out seven. Mike Caine doubled in a run for York. Tim Westlake doubled, singled and knocked in a run for Durham while Dennis Woods doubled to drive in a run.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Queen's |
200 |
028 |
0-- |
12 |
11 |
2 |
| George Brown |
100 |
030 |
0-- |
4 |
9 |
1 |
WP-Albert Lee; LP-Thomas Upward.
Jason Sukhraj singled, stole two bases, knocked in a run and scored three times for the Gaels, as Graham Fulton singled and knocked in two runs. Ben Concessi had two hits and three RBIs for the Gaels. Galen Davies was 4-for-4, with two doubles and an RBI for the Huskies, while Reggie Sarne had two hits and knocked in two runs.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Durham |
104 |
000 |
0-- |
5 |
9 |
0 |
| York |
020 |
313 |
0-- |
9 |
13 |
3 |
WP-Steve Panno; LP-Frenello Acosta.
HR-Jeff Crouse
RP Steve Panno pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the Lions win. Rob Vecchiarelli singled and knocked in two runs for York. Ellison Bautista-Chan had two hits and an RBI. Mike Caine had two singles. Jeff Crouse hit a three- run homer for Durham. Craig Megill had two singles and a double for Durham, while Sean Graham had two hits and an RBI.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Durham |
131 |
000 |
0-- |
5 |
10 |
3 |
| York |
100 |
302 |
0-- |
6 |
7 |
1 |
WP-Clint Jeon; LP-Frenello Acosta.
S-Steve Panno
Clint Jeon picks up his first win of the season with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Mike Caine had two hits and an RBI. Rob Vecchiarelli doubled and singled for York. Craig Megill had two hits for Durham, while Dennis Wood doubled in a pair of runs. Gord Robertson doubled and singled. Jeff Crouse had a pair of hits and knocked in a run.
|
123 |
456 |
789 |
R |
H |
E |
| Queen's |
020 |
102 |
1-- |
6 |
10 |
0 |
| George Brown |
000 |
000 |
0-- |
0 |
6 |
1 |
WP-Mike Bertoia; LP-Fred Monsivais.
HR-Jason Sukhraj.
Jason Sukhraj doubled and homered, knocking in two runs for the Gaels, while Jeff Garrett was 2-for-2, with an RBI. Galen Davies was 2-for-3 for the Huskies, with a double. Justin Strozynski added a double.
TOP TEN RANKINGS RANK TEAM CONFERENCE RECORD
1. Queen's 7-2
2. Guelph 6-2
3. UNB 5-1
4. York 7-2
5. Ottawa 2-1
6. Concordia 4-3
7. Carleton 4-3
8. Dalhousie 3-2
9. Saint Mary's 2-1
10. Durham 4-5
