The University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team claimed their third straight OUA championship on Saturday (Oct. 11), defeating the Carleton Ravens 11-3 in the gold medal game at Jack Couch Park.

Along with completing the three-peat, the victory marked a fourth championship in five seasons and ninth provincial banner for the Blues dating back to 2001.

Facing off against a red-hot Carleton offence, the Blues were able to stifle the Ravens thanks in large part to first-year pitcher Matthew Clark. The Scarborough, Ont., native was dealing on Saturday striking out eight batters across seven innings. Clarke conceded just six hits and one walk, allowing only three earned runs to the high-powered Ravens. Most impressive was his ability to rebound after the early inning runs, retiring the side in both the fifth and sixth innings. Fifth-year pitcher Patrick Stasyszyn appeared in relief to close out the final two innings, limiting the Ravens to just one hit while adding two more strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the Blues offence has been a strength all season long. In the gold medal game Toronto converted 15 hits, five Carleton errors and three stolen bases into the 11 runs scored. Delivering a highlight of the game in the bottom of the third, second-year outfielder Diego Fuentes sent a long-distance shot over the fence for a two-run home run, lifting the Blues from a 2-2 tie into the lead. Rolling with the momentum into the fourth, fourth-year infielder Kirk Gibson would add another two runs courtesy a short looping shot into right field for a two RBI single.

Crossing the plate for the Blues consistently was third-year catcher Matthew Fischer and fourth-year outfielder Sam Aslanowicz who each tallied three runs. Fischer drove Ravens pitchers crazy all game long, drawing two walks and adding a hit through five plate appearances. As for Aslanowicz, the veteran of all three Blues championship teams recorded three singles and a walk to put himself into scoring position throughout the nine-inning contest.

Following celebrations, the Blues will next shift their attention to the national stage as they get set to travel to Montreal next week for the Canadian National University Championship. Toronto will open the double-elimination tournament with a showdown versus the Montreal Carabins on Thursday, Oct. 16. First pitch from the Claude Robillard Sports Complex is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.