Brock University Athletics

The Brock baseball team celebrates Jacob Underwood's (#24) home run versus Guelph at Oakes Park in Niagara Falls on Saturday, Oct. 9.

Baseball 10/9/2021 9:41:00 PM Stephen Leithwood

Badgers fend off Gryphons, advance to OUA Baseball Regionals final

Catcher Jacob Underwood blasted the game-winning home run as the Brock Badgers held off the Guelph Gryphons 5-4 to secure a bye into the final of the OUA Baseball Regionals at Oakes Park on Saturday, Oct. 9.

"Those are fun games to play in. There were emotions on both sides. It's been a long time since we played in a game with this much intensity," said head coach Marc LePage. "It was a lot of stress, but it was exciting. It's a great example of how this league is becoming more competitive. It felt like fall ball, playoff baseball."

Brock, Guelph, and McMaster return to Oakes Park on Sunday, Oct. 10, for the semifinal and final.

The winning team from this qualifier will punch their ticket to the banner season finale at the OUA Baseball Championships, which will be hosted by the winner of another Regional Qualifier between Laurentian, the Rams, Toronto and York.

Guelph will play McMaster, who they mercy-ruled 12-0 across seven innings during the second game of the day, in the semifinal on Sunday, Oct. 10. The first pitch is 10 a.m.

The Badgers will play the semifinal winner at 1:30 p.m.

Pitching in a familiar ballpark, starting pitcher Brandon Underhill earned the win for the Badgers.

A Kinesiology student from Niagara Falls, Underhill went nine innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out seven batters.

"It was a long game, but it was a dog fight all along. I just let my defence work at the end there," said Underhill. "Early on, we eliminated my fastball because it was getting hit, so we worked the slider and curveball all game. Jacob Underwood called a great game behind the plate."

Underwood, a Kinesiology student from Hamilton, hit a three-run home run to give Brock a 5-1 lead at the top of the sixth inning before Guelph replied with three runs in the next frame.

A fourth-year player, Underwood has played all over the field during his time with Brock. He originally joined the Badgers as a catcher but has also made the roster as a pitcher and infielder. In 2019, he was shifted to the outfield because Matt Casburn held down the starting catcher role.

"Jacob Underwood has been such a great team player," said LePage. "I'm delighted with the way he's taken over the role as a leader. His bat and defence have been an edge for us on the field. I can't say enough about Jacob."

Bryn Sanford tallied three runs, while Ashton Feijo registered three hits. Tyler Giancos also enjoyed a multi-hit game with a pair while adding an RBI.

For Guelph, Craig Henning registered three RBI on a single.

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Players Mentioned

Ashton Feijo: SS; Graduate Student

Tyler Giancos: SS/3B; Third Year

Bryn Sanford: OF; Third Year

Brandon Underhill: SS/RHP; Third Year

Jacob Underwood: C; Fourth Year

Players Mentioned

Ashton Feijo
: Graduate Student
: SS

Tyler Giancos
: Third Year
: SS/3B

Bryn Sanford
: Third Year
: OF

Brandon Underhill
: Third Year
: SS/RHP

Jacob Underwood
: Fourth Year
: C

Brock University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned