Collegiate Fall First Half Wrap Up

OBJ COLLEGIATE FALL TRIP – “THE FIRST HALF”

The Collegiate Fall Trip is a staple in the Ontario Blue Jays schedule. It gives the kids a glimpse of what’s to come, and gives them a chance to show their talents to eyes they may not have the chance to play in front of otherwise. 

Departing from Mississauga, ON and ending the trip in Poplar Bluff, Missouri while making stops at 10 schools along the way – it is a learning experience more than it is about winning games.

We asked first time fall trip player Brayden Ricketts what he thinks the trip provides for himself and teammates. This was his response, “The fall trip gives us (players) a chance to see the competition we are striving to play with and against. I don’t think there’s any better way to prepare for the next level other than playing at the next level. Not only that, but we spend almost a month on the road, travelling everyday away from home. I really don’t think there’s another program that prepares you for the next level like OBJ.”

FIRST HALF STANDOUT GAMES 

09/04/2022 – North Eastern Oklahoma
FINAL SCORE – 12-9 
PITCHING STANDOUTS
Matt Brown – 4 IP, 4H, 2 Earned Runs, 4 SO.
Julian Alvarez – 2IP, 1 Earned Run, 2 SO. 

OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Brayden Ricketts – 2-2, 2 Run HR.
Justin Skorupski – 2-2, 2 doubles.
Jorge Valdez – RBI 1B, 2 stolen bases.

09/07/2022 – Northeast Texas CC
FINAL SCORE – 5-3 

PITCHING STANDOUTS 
Matt Brown – 4 IP, 1H, 0 runs, 3 SO.
Julian Alvarez – 3 IP, 0 runs, 3 SO.

OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS 
Chase Williams – 2-3, SB.
Will Hancock – RBI 2B
Justin Skorupski – 1-2 (2B).

09/06/2022 – Connors State CC 
FINAL SCORE – 22-21 

PITCHING STANDOUTS
Preston Barr – 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 SO.
Brayden Ricketts – 2.2 IP, 1 Hit, 0 Runs.

OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS 
Sam Anderson – 1-2 with 2 BBs and 2 RBIs
Ryan Stalony - 1-2, 2 RBIs, 1 triple, HBP, 2 runs scored.
Logan Heaney – 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs scored, 1 SB.
Marco Da Gamma – 2 hits, an RBI, and 1 run scored.
Brayden Ricketts – 2-2, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 1 BB, and 2 runs scored.
Dylin Walters – 2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI.
Maddox Shaver – 1 hit, 2 RBIs, and 1 BB.
Benji Kautto - 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 1 double.

OVERVIEW

Head Coach of the Collegiate Fall Team Corey Eckstein had this to say on the first half,

“FROM A RESULT ORIENTED STANDPOINT, PRETTY HAPPY WITH HOW THIS GROUP PERFORMED. ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMOUNT OF YOUTH WE HAD ON THIS TRIP. OFFENSIVELY, WE HELD OUR OWN AND I DIDN’T FEEL WE WERE OUTMATCHED AGAINST ANY OF OUR OPPONENTS. I’VE BEEN A PART OF SOME LOPSIDED SCORED OVER THE YEARS… MINUS ONE GAME AGAINST BOSSIER PARISH, I THOUGHT WE COMPETED IN NEARLY EVERY BALL GAME.”

What about from an off field perspective? What did the kids take away from the trip?

“TRAVELLING OVER 3,000 MILES AND BOUNCING FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL EVERY NIGHT FOR TWO WEEKS ISN’T FOR EVERYONE. NEW PLAYERS TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND SOME OF OUR 2024’S AND 2025’S NOT ONLY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THEMSELVES ON THIS TRIP, BUT THE STANDARD AND EXPECTATION OF HOW TO CARRY THEMSELVES BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. THERE WEre DEFINITELY SOME BUMPS AND BRUISES ALONG THE WAY, BUT OVER TIME THEY LEARN TO INTERNALLY POLICE THEMSELVES AND OUR OLDER PLAYERS BECOME AN EXTENSION OF THE COACHING STAFF. THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF WINS I'M LOOKING FOR ON THESE TRIPS.”

LOOKING FORWARD

With the second leg of the Collegiate Fall Trip approaching, we look to continue our growth on and off the field. The back half of this trip includes playing: Pitt, George Mason, Georgetown, NC State, Davidson, Winthrop, Gardner Webb, UNC Charlotte, and High Point. 

Having already gotten their feet wet in the College baseball atmosphere, the guys are more than excited to get back on the field and show off their talents during this second half.