Baseball splits with Durham in season finale

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – Humber baseball (7-10, 5^th OCAA) wrapped up the regular season with a doubleheader split against the Durham Lords (11-7, 3^rd OCAA) on Thursday evening at Connorvale Park. The Hawks now turn their attention to the postseason as they await the finalized OCAA standings to determine their first-round opponent.

The Hawks close the regular season in their lowest-ever position in the OCAA standings, marking the first losing record in program history.

Although the result wasn't in their favour, the night belonged to Humber's seniors. Director of Athletics and Recreation Ray Chateau led a special ceremony honouring Caleb Eguren, David Boatto, Eric Alcaraz, Giuseppe Sisca, Jack Young, Justin Groves, Mark Rizzotto, Ronan Hayes and Xavier Whittle for their dedication and impact on the program. 

Game one (Humber 7, Durham 4)

For one last time this season, the Hawks returned to Connorvale Park for their final doubleheader to close out the regular season. It was a historic campaign for Humber, though not for the reasons they hoped. The Hawks finished with the first losing record in program history and their lowest-ever position in the OCAA standings.

With a postseason berth already secured, Humber looked to end on a positive note against the favoured Durham Lords, looking to build some momentum heading into the playoffs.

Head coach Troy Black tapped on Dylan Clement for the start on the mound, and the rookie pitcher came out of the gates hot with a three-up, three-down first inning. Clement recorded a career-high four strikeouts by the end of the fourth, but Durham managed to break the deadlock by scoring on a passed ball.

The Humber lineup struggled to find answers to hot pitches from Durham's Nate Kaczmarek, who notched four strikeouts over the first six at-bats across two innings.

Callum Blue answered in the bottom of the fourth with a deep double to left field that brought Jack St. Louis home to tie the game. David Boatto followed with a two-run single to give Humber a 3-1 lead. Boatto later stole second and third before scoring on a Lord's defensive error.

Humber offence continued to step on the gas in the bottom of the fifth as Xavier Whittle, Isaac Duva and Blue each knocked in RBI singles to extend the lead to 7-1.

Durham mounted a late rally with three runs in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough. Humber secured the 7-4 win in the opening game.

Rookie pitcher Dylan Clement was named the Player of the Game, pitching a career-high four strikeouts over six innings of work.

Game two (Durham 11, Humber 4)

In game two, starting pitcher Juan Diego Lagunes met a Durham lineup determined to flip the script. The Hawks struggled defensively, committing numerous errors, and the Lords took an early lead with five runs in the first inning.

Coach Black turned to the bullpen early, bringing in Ronan Hayes as a reliever in the top of the second. However, Hayes couldn't contain Durham's red-hot bats, and the Lords added two more runs in the frame.

The Hawks got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third when Duva was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, letting Whittle stroll home. But the Lords didn't allow Humber to breathe.

Durham responded in the new inning with two additional runs, stretching their lead to 10-1 and putting Humber on the brink of a mercy rule.

Reliever Owen Marshall entered to steady the Hawks and kept them in the game, but Humber's bats stayed quiet. The Hawks added three more runs in the bottom of the seventh but couldn't close the gap on time. 

The Lords captured game two with an 11-4 win.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 27-23 all-time against the Lords.
• Humber holds a 21-17 all-time record against Durham in regular-season games.
• Humber has the upper hand at Connorvale Park, leading the all-time series 10-9 over Durham.
• The Hawks defeated the Lords at Connorvale Park for the first time since 2022.
• Humber finishes the regular season in its lowest-ever position in the OCAA standings.
• This is the first time the Hawks have finished a regular season with a losing record.
• Dylan Clement's four strikeouts in game one are a new career high.

What's Next?

Humber is now headed to the postseason, hosted by the St. Clair Saints at Lacasse Park in Windsor, Ont., from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18.

The Hawks are still waiting for the finalized OCAA rankings to determine their first opponent, but they'll open the tournament on Thursday, Oct. 16, with first pitch scheduled for either 4 p.m. or 7 p.m.