Costly errors dooms Baseball to another early playoff exit

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – Humber baseball's season has come to an end without any hardware for the second straight year. The Hawks (7-12, 6^th OCAA) were eliminated in the play-in round once again, this time falling to the Durham Lords (12-7, 3^rd OCAA), who advance to the double knockout phase of the championship.

At Lacasse Park, the struggles that defined Humber's regular season carried into the playoffs. Costly defensive errors helped the Lords build their lead, while the Hawks' offence failed to capitalize on key opportunities.

Despite recording 10 hits, Humber stranded eight runners on base. The pitching staff allowed 14 hits and committed seven errors, while failing to record a single strikeout.

This marks the first time in program history that Humber has gone back-to-back seasons without bringing home hardware.

Game recap

The Hawks arrived in Windsor hoping to rewrite last season's script and escape a play-in round exit. But for a team that had a regular season marked by historic lows, the challenge was steep.

The Durham Lords entered as clear favourites, boasting a deep lineup and a dominant pitching staff led by OCAA Pitcher of the Year, Matt Jones. A win for the underdog Hawks could be the turning point they were looking for.

After a promising start with two hits to Durham's one in the opening frame, Humber's bats quickly went quiet. A three-up, three-down inning gave the Lords an opening, and they capitalized.

Another defensive error, which was a recurring issue throughout the regular season, allowed the first run of the game. Moments later, an RBI single extended Durham's lead to 2-0.

In the top of the third, OCAA batting leader Callum Blue gave the Hawks some hope, driving in Jack St. Louis with a single down the left side of the infield. But the momentum was short-lived. A miscommunication in the infield allowed the Lords to load the bases, and a double down the right field plated two more runs.

Durham made it 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth, prompting head coach Troy Black to turn to Mark Rizzotto out of the bullpen in search of answers.

And just when the Hawks looked out of the game, Xavier Whittle came up clutch in the fifth. Whittle scored Caleb Eguren with a single up the middle, then crossed home himself on a groundout by Blue to cut the lead to two.

After a quick one-two-three inning on defence, momentum seemed to swing Humber's way. In the top of the sixth, the Hawks loaded the bases with just one out on the score, but couldn't cash in, leaving three runners stranded.

That missed opportunity gave Durham the confidence they needed to shut the door.

In the bottom half, the same defensive woes reappeared. The Lords scored on another Humber error, then tacked on two more runs with RBI singles from First-Team All-Star Eddie Borutskie and Second-Team All-Star Erik Smith.

Durham captured an 8-3 win, eliminating Humber in the play-in round for the second straight year. 

The Hawks recorded 10 hits but stranded eight runners, while the pitching staff didn't record strikeouts, allowed 14 hits and committed seven costly errors.

Game Notes

• For the first time in program history, Humber goes back-to-back seasons without hardware.
• Despite their 10 hits, the Hawks left eight runners on base.
• The Hawks have fallen in eight of their last 10 games against Durham since 2023.
• The Hawks finish with a 5-6 record on the road, marking the program's first-ever losing road record.
• This is the first time Humber's pitching staff has gone an entire game without a strikeout since October 2022.
• Humber holds a 27-24 all-time record against Durham and 6-5 in OCAA postseason play.
• The Hawks sit even in OCAA postseason history at 19-19.
• Humber closes the season with a 1-3 record against Durham.