It was another memorable second day of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West Qualifier for the Brock Badgers baseball team.
As they did last season, the Badgers needed back-to-back wins on Day 2 to advance to the OUA Final Four. They delivered with a 3-0 semifinal victory over the McMaster Marauders and a 6-1 win over the Guelph Gryphons in the final.
"We felt very confident coming into the weekend," said pitching coach
Fabio Del Rio. "We knew our pitching depth would be a strength and that our hitters would find their groove. The team has gone through a lot these last few months, and we are very proud of how we performed."
The final saw the Badgers scheduled to take on the Gryphons for the second straight year. Despite Guelph scoring the first run in the third inning, Brock did not give up as they put up an impressive six runs on the board in the seventh to earn the win.
On the mound, it was a brilliant performance from Ryan Facchini, who struck out 10 batters over nine innings of work while giving up just one earned run. Flynn Matheson and Cole Carpenter led the way for the Badgers' bats as they each drove in two runs.
In the semifinal, Charlie Hughes also went the distance, giving up no earned runs while striking out seven in a commanding performance.
A two-run second inning, helped by a Marauders' error and a wild pitch, gave the Badgers a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Del Rio and the coaching staff know there's more work to be done as they look ahead to the OUA Championship, which takes place at Bechtel Park and Jack Couch Park in Waterloo, Ont., from Friday, Oct. 10 to Saturday, Oct. 11.
"The coaching staff was very impressed with the players' level of intensity throughout the weekend," Del Rio added. "However, we are not satisfied yet. We want it all!"
