Saints baseball ends regular season on high note

by Mark Brown

The St. Clair Saints men’s baseball team posted a perfect 4-0 record to end the regular season.

The sweep of two weekend doubleheaders pushed the Saints’ record to 19 wins and one loss. The almost-perfect season reached a satisfying conclusion Sunday, October 5 at Lacasse Park in Tecumseh, sweeping the George Brown Huskies 12-2 and 8-3. In game one, starting pitcher Mike McCue struggled in the first inning as George Brown scored first. Joel Cooper and Eric Cunningham were among the four runners that scored in the bottom of the first, on their way to the 12-2 win. Crannel Jerald and Ryan Kerstens each had two hits in the contest.

“Kerstens’ had a fantastic year,” said Saints head coach Dave Cooper. “As soon as he showed back up, he’s just the most low-maintenance ballplayer you can ever imagine…he makes every play at second base.”

Kerstens contributed another hit in the second game of the doubleheader as the Saints picked up where they left off, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings toward an 8-3 win. Rookie Shane Barker got two hits and two runs batted in the second contest. Starting pitcher Blake Donaldson struck out five Huskies, allowing just one run over four innings of work. Conner Soulliere hurled for the remaining three innings and struck out five en route to his first save of the season.

“We’re happy with the way we’ve been doing it, we’ve been fortunate and we’ve been able to overcome a lot of stuff. We’ve had some big injuries,” said Cooper between games. “(Previous Ontario College Athletic Association Player of the Year) Jeff Watkin…he’s been hurt, he’s played four games. Robbie Cooper’s playing with a bad back and (Chris) Horwood can’t even play, his back’s bad. So we’ve overcome a lot and it’s very fortunate to have the record we have.”

One of the players that has risen to the challenge has been Cunningham, who has played much of the season as catcher, and in the process completed the regular season by leading the team with hits (27), batting average (.458) and on-base percentage (.593).

“I’m doing pretty much what I expected. I’m doing a lot more catching, but I can’t really complain about that. It’s one of my favourite positions,” said Cunningham between Sunday’s games. “Hitting’s been pretty good…hitting the ball the other way better, staying out there a little bit longer.”

Cunningham, a first-year respiratory therapy student, took the lead behind the plate after Watkin was injured, and in turn became one of the team’s offensive leaders. He has also been a threat on the basepaths this season with 14 stolen bases. Still, Cunningham thinks that is the weakness in his game.

“I’ve got to get faster,” said Cunningham, who scored five runs, walked four times and got one hit during Sunday’s twinbill. “I can always be a better blocker behind the dish. Sometimes I let a couple squeak by.”

With the OCAA regular season now in the rearview mirror, Cooper reflected on the success that the baseball program at St. Clair has enjoyed. Over his three years at the helm, he has been pretty grateful.

“We’re in a position now where kids are calling us to play,” “We’re very lucky they want to play in this program and the support you get at St. Clair is second to none, said Cooper. “They treat these kids like professionals. It’s carte blanche all the way with everything that happens. Everybody wants to come from all around the province to play for us.”

The Saints head to Dearborn, Michigan on Sunday, October 12 for a doubleheader against Henry Ford Community College, beginning at noon. The OCAA Championship takes place in Oshawa on October 17 and 18, according to the Saints’ website.