The University of Toronto Varsity Blues baseball team defeated the Laurentia Voyageurs 7-2 on Sunday (Oct. 5) morning to win the OUA Central Regional Qualifier.
The Blues extended their streak of appearing in the provincial Final Four to five straight season, having won three of the last four OUA banners. Toronto went undefeated across the three-day regional qualifier, with a current winning streak of nine straight games.
On the diamond on Sunday, the Blues held a slight 3-2 advantage after seven innings. However, the Toronto offence would not be contained anymore as a four-run eighth inning created a gap just too big for the Voyageurs to overcome.
After a costly Laurentian error in the eighth allowed third-year catcher Matthew Fischer to score, it was second-year infielder Spenser Ross who sent a long fly-ball over the fence in left field to add another two runs. A sacrifice fly from first-year designated hitter Haven Tai then scored fourth-year infielder Kirk Gibson who reached third on a triple during the at-bat just before.
On the mound, fourth-year ace Ethan Kwong picked up the win for U of T after notching eight strikeouts across six innings worked. Kwong conceded just five hits, three walks, and two earned runs. Fifth-year pitcher Patrick Stasyszyn appeared in relief, closing out the game with two hits and one walk across the final three innings.
The Varsity Blues will now travel to Waterloo to join the East, West and Far West regional winners as part of the OUA Championship from Oct. 10-11. Friday (Oct. 10) semifinals are set to take place at Bechtel Park, with the Blues matching up with host Waterloo who won the Far West. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. Medal games will then take place on Saturday (Oct.11) at Jack Couch Park. Sunday, Oct. 12 is reserved as a rain date if needed.
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