FALCONS WIN FIRST-EVER OCAA MEN'S BASEBALL TITLE

TECUMSEH, Ont. — For the first time in program history, the Fanshawe Falcons are the men's baseball champions of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

Fanshawe won three games on Saturday, including two against the defending champion St. Clair Saints to take the gold medal.

The Falcons first took on the Lambton Lions in a battle of top teams during the regular season. Fanshawe scored multiple runs in three separate innings to defeat the Lions 12-5, relegating Lambton to the bronze medal.

Needing two wins against St. Clair to win the championship, the teams traded leads until, with the scored tied 5-5, Fanshawe rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh to win 7-5, handing the Saints their first loss at the tournament and setting a sudden death, winner-take-all game.

In Game 2, the Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 advantage before the Saints chipped away at their deficit, scoring multiple runs in the fifth and sixth inning to tie the score. In the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and two out, fourth-year designated hitter Connor Rodwin (Burlington) lined a single up the middle to score what turned out to be the winning runs. Fanshawe held on to a 7-6 win and a historic championship.

In 11 previous OCAA men's baseball championships, only St. Clair (9) and Humber Hawks (2) have ever won the gold medal. Fanshawe earns an OCAA medal for the first time since 2022.

Fanshawe first-year infielder Jud McGowan (Lakefield) was named Championship MVP. McGowan had a hit in every game, going 6-for-15 (.400) knocking in six runs while scoring five times. McGowan belted a two-run home run in the second gold medal game.

Fanshawe teammates Nolan Rice (Port Hope) and Marcus Normandin (Mississauga) were named Championship All-Stars. The second-year Rice also got a hit in every game at the championship, with three doubles and four runs scored. The fourth-year Normandin got a hit in every game as well, going 9-for-19 (.474).

Entering provincials as a No. 4 seed, St. Clair's silver medal was well earned. The Saints defeated the Sheridan Bruins 12-0 on Thursday in a play-in game, then on Friday defeated No. 1 seed Lambton 12-6 then No. 2 Fanshawe 6-2 to earn an opportunity at a gold medal. The Saints have finished on the podium at every OCAA men's baseball championship.

Fourth-year outfielder Andrew Sleiman (Leamington) and first-year infielder Ryan Querbach (Belle River) of the Saints were named Championship All-Stars. Sleiman recored five extra base hits, including a pair of triples and three doubles. Querbach got a hit in every game, driving in six runs while scoring five times.

Third-year player Wesley Brooks (Sarnia) of Lambton was also named a Championship All-Star. Brooks went 6-for-11 (,545) with two runs scored and three batted in. The Lions earned OCAA medals in back-to-back championships, winning silver last year.

OCAA MEN'S BASEBALL AWARDS

OCAA Men's Baseball Championship MVP
Jud McGowan – Fanshawe Falcons

OCAA Men's Baseball Championship All-Stars
Nolan Rice - Fanshawe Falcons
Marcus Normandin - Fanshawe Falcons
Andrew Sleiman - St. Clair Saints
Ryan Querbach - St. Clair Saints
Wesley Brooks - Lambton Lions

Webcast: www.ocaa.com/live

Thursday, October 16
Game #1: Durham def. Humber 8-3
Game #2: St. Clair def. Sheridan 12-0

Friday, October 17
Game #3: St. Clair def. Lambton 12-6
Game #4: Fanshawe def. Durham 3-2
Game #5: Lambton def. Durham 4-3
Game #6: St. Clair def. Fanshawe 6-2

Saturday, October 18
OCAA Bronze Medal Game
Game #7: Fanshawe def. Lambton 12-5

OCAA Gold Medal Game(s)
Game #8: Fanshawe def. St. Clair 7-5
Game #9*: Fanshawe def. St. Clair 7-6

- OCAA -

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Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com