The Carleton University Ravens exploded offensively in a dominant 14-4 win over the Ottawa Nepean Canadians 18U. Despite a promising start by the Canadians, a combination of key errors and timely hitting from the Ravens saw them take control of the game in the middle innings and never look back.

Canadians Start Strong But Fade in Middle Innings

The Canadians opened the scoring in the second inning with a sacrifice fly from Jake Thomson that brought in Matthew McGuinness, putting the Canadians on the board and giving them a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Tristan Gallant added to the pressure with a line-drive double to left fielder Eli Del Fatti, advancing McGuinness to third. Unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, leaving the runners stranded and ending the inning with just a one-run advantage.

In the third inning, Cedric Fortin hit a sharp single to center, but Tristan Gallant was thrown out at home in a close play as the Canadians tried to push the envelope. This missed opportunity became a turning point as Carleton began to gain momentum.

Carleton’s Offense Breaks Through

Carleton’s offensive surge started in the bottom of the third inning when P Mulligan launched a two-run home run to left field, bringing home C Schroeder and giving the Ravens a 3-1 lead. The Ravens continued to apply pressure with timely singles from T Okrimtchouk and O Constantineau, with Okrimtchouk driving in Aaron Sahadeo to extend the lead to 4-1.

Ottawa Nepean’s defense struggled to contain Carleton’s aggressive base running, leading to a series of errors that opened the floodgates. Ethan Del Fatti and Q McRae capitalized on defensive miscues to further widen the lead. By the end of the fourth inning, the Ravens had put up 14 runs, sealing their control over the game.

A Resilient Effort by Ottawa Nepean

Despite the growing deficit, the Canadians fought back. In the top of the fourth, Sam Ellis hit a single to left field, driving in both Jake Ferris and Ethan Arthurs, cutting the Ravens’ lead to 14-3. Ethan Arthurs was one of the offensive bright spots for Ottawa Nepean, going 2-for-4 and driving in a run. The Canadians continued to grind, but Carleton’s defense, led by pitcher Matthew Millross, was able to limit any further damage.

The fifth inning saw a brief flicker of hope for Ottawa Nepean, with Carter Seeley hitting a single to drive in Cedric Fortin, making the score 14-4. However, the Canadians were unable to mount a significant comeback as the Ravens’ defense shut them down in the top of the fifth inning to end the game.

Pitching Struggles for Ottawa Nepean

The Canadians’ pitching staff had a tough outing, with Andrew Amos and Sam Ellis working hard to keep the Ravens’ offense in check, but it wasn’t enough to stop Carleton’s relentless attack. Jibril Gebara started strong, but the floodgates opened after a series of errors, and the Canadians were unable to recover.

Key Performers

• P Mulligan (Carleton University Ravens): 1-for-3, 2-run home run.

• Eli Del Fatti (Carleton University Ravens): 1-for-3, 1 run scored, reached on error.

• Aaron Sahadeo (Carleton University Ravens): 2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI.

• Ethan Arthurs (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored.

• Sam Ellis (Ottawa Nepean Canadians): 1-for-4, 2 RBIs.

Final Thoughts

Carleton University showcased a powerful offensive display, capitalizing on Ottawa Nepean’s defensive errors and putting together timely hits to secure the victory. While the Canadians had moments of offensive promise, their defensive struggles ultimately proved too costly.

With this loss, Ottawa Nepean will look to bounce back in their next matchup, while Carleton University can build on this strong performance as they continue their season.