GUELPH - Competing for a spot in the OUA Championship scheduled for next weekend, the Brock Badgers men's baseball team split Day 1 of the OUA Regional Playoffs on Friday in Guelph, defeating the McMaster Marauders before dropping a late afternoon contest versus the host Guelph Gryphons.
GAME 1: Brock 10 McMaster 7
In a back-and-forth contest that saw both teams tied 5-5 heading into the later innings, it was a four run sixth inning that helped the Badgers pull away and secure the Friday morning victory.
Ben Grant,
Cole Carpenter, and
Bryn Sanford all recorded multiple RBI, with Grant leading the charge going 3-for-5 at the plate with a walk, three RBI, and one run. Meanwhile, pitcher
Dante Cifala and
Evan Marks combined for seven strikeouts and just one earned run conceded over the full nine innings.
GAME 2: Guelph 16 Brock 3
Facing the top seeded Gryphons to close out the first day of competition, Brock held their own with a scoreless tie through four innings. An unlucky fifth inning though saw the Badgers concede eight runs, falling too far behind the league leading side from Guelph. Standout shortstop
Reid Lunney and veteran third base
Tyler Giancos were the only Brock batters to record multiple hits in the loss, while
Nick Davies and
Griffin Whitehorne were the pitching duo for the Badgers striking out a combined 10 batters.
With the split, Brock will need to compete first in a semifinal round versus the Marauders to earn another chance against the Gryphons in the OUA Regional Final on Saturday. First pitch for the semifinal game in Guelph is scheduled for 10 a.m. If the Badgers are successful in the Saturday opener they would then challenge the Gryphons at 2 p.m. with a spot at the OUA Championship on the line.
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 10-6
Conference Record: 9-5
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 8 @ McMaster Marauders (OUA Regional Semifinal) • 10 a.m. - Guelph, ON
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