The University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team earned and 11-1 win over the Montreal Carabins on Thursday (Oct. 16) night to open the Canadian University National Championship at Claude Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal.

The victory marked a 12th consecutive win for Toronto, including their third straight OUA championship banner just prior to the trip to Montreal for the national showcase this weekend.

In the batter's box, the Varsity Blues saw six different players record an RBI in the big Game 1 win. Combined with eight stolen bases, the dynamic U of T offence was able to overwhelm the home team with 11 runs scored in just four innings at the plate. Serving as the designated hitter, second-year kinesiology major Marcus Santos led all players with three RBI. Meanwhile, fourth-year veteran outfielder Sam Aslanowicz delivered stellar base-running with three stolen bases and two runs.

On the mound, fifth-year pitcher Connor Broughton was dealing in the win, finishing his four innings with seven strikeouts and just one earned run allowed. Fourth-year pitcher Tyson Espiritu Santo appeared in relief, striking out three to end the game following the top of the fifth.

The Blues now advance to play the winner of Friday (Oct. 17) mornings opening round contest between Western and Acadia. Toronto will meet the winner later in the evening with first pitch for the Blues coming at 7:30 p.m. The tournament features a double-eliminaton format, requiring two losses for a team to be knocked out of contention.