WINDSOR, Ont. - The Brock University baseball team (31-3 overall, 17-1 OUA) opened the 2014 OUA/OCAA Championship with a 7-4 victory over the Durham College Lords Friday night in Windsor.
The Badgers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead before the Durham Lords rallied in the top of the 7th scoring four unanswered runs. Brock closer
Phil Owen came on in relief for the final 2/3 innings, registering his sixth save of the season.
On the hill,
Justin Ayles continued to have one of the most memorable season by a pitcher in Brock Baseball history. Ayles went six shutout innings giving up four hits while striking out 11 and allowing no walks. This was his eighth victory of the season, breaking the old single season Brock record of seven wins set by Mark Cheeseman (1999) and Ayles last season (2013). This was also his 53rd career appearance, tying Brock Baseball Hall of Famer Stefan Strecker (1998-2003).
Leading the way was
Justin Gideon who went 2-for-3 with an RBI, becoming just the eighth player in school history to record 50 hits in a single season.
Ryan Laird was also 2-for-3 with a triple. Rounding out the offense were
Phil Steer,
Ben Kirby,
Dan Nicoletta,
Wil Nicholson and
Blake Stepien who all added one hit each in the victory.Â
The Badgers now take on the host St. Clair Saints Saturday at 1pm in Windsor.
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