Photo by: Marc Lafleur (http://www.marclafleur.ca/)
OTTAWA (Sep.29.2017) –
The Carleton University Ravens Baseball Club looks to be heading for a birth in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball National Championships (CCBA) in Fredericton this October. The Ravens have put together a 10-4 record so far and have just completed a four-game sweep of their cross-town rivals the Ottawa Gee Gees in the “O-Train series” capped off with a 12-6 finale win this past Thursday at RCGT Stadium.
A large part of that success is owed to a couple of brothers who grew up playing baseball right here in the nation’s capital and are now part of the same winning lineup for the Ravens.
Ty Burnside who is a first year major in Economics and Ryan Burnside, a third-year Commerce major, not only share family ties but are part of an extended baseball family with the Ravens. Ryan, the senior of the two brothers and now a veteran player in the CCBA, is having a career season hitting a remarkable .462 with 18 RBIs in 19 games.
Younger brother Ty, who is fitting right in at first base and also pitches in relief, has been an important contributor in his own right even though he was worried he might not make the squad after taking a year off baseball.
“Initially, he didn’t think he’d make the team” said older brother Ryan “but his play has not slowed down after that time off.”
Younger brother Ty must have made an impression. Coach Andre Robidoux not only likes his productivity thus far but is impressed by his composure. “Ty is the type of player whose blood pressure never changes regardless of the situation.”
“Both brothers have presence” agrees teammate and starting shortstop Manny Restrepo, who also ran the Ravens Summer baseball camp with Ryan, “he has excellent knowledge of the game.”
That composure may be a family trait because older brother Ryan is not only leading his team in hitting, he is also brought in to close out games as a reliever. According to Coach Robidoux “he’s one of the best closers the Ravens have ever had.”
Not to be overlooked, of course, “Ryan can also change the game with one swing of the bat,” added Robidoux.
The experience of playing on the same field with his younger brother Ty has been important to Ryan. “Honestly, it’s awesome at any level” he said “but at a university level, it’s amplified.”
That sentiment is shared by Ty, who is not only “very excited” to be playing with his older brother but still takes pointers from him in developing his game.
“He just told me to enjoy the game” said Ty “and not get frustrated. At the end of the day it’s just a game.”
That type of perspective bodes well not only for the Burnside brothers but the whole team.
“Both brothers are the kind of player who play for the name on the front of the jersey, not on the back” praised Robidoux.
The Burnside brothers and the rest of the Ravens enter the playoffs next weekend against the Concordia Stingers as they continue on their path toward a national championship qualification.
Ravens on their way to National Championship