Photo by: Marc Lafleur (http://www.marclafleur.ca/)
From: GoRavens
OTTAWA (Sep.12.2017) –
With three conference wins already under their belt the 2017-18 Carleton Ravens baseball squad looks ready to take on cross-town rivals the Ottawa Gee Gees at RCGT stadium tomorrow night. It will be the Ravens turn to host the second match of their three “O-train” series rivalry games.
Carleton players will be donning their new ‘retro’ jerseys reminiscent of the 1980s Astros and similar to those worn by local 2016 Can/Am League winners the Ottawa Champions.
“That Ottawa Champions jersey really inspired our fresh look” said head coach Andre Robidoux, whose squad enters the game at a torrid 10-1-1 pace including a 3-0 league record.
In their last outing against the Gee Gees the Ravens routed their opposition 12-1 thanks, in part, to a stellar homecoming performance by former SUNY-Canton starter Derek Harkin who struck out 12 over 5 innings.
The Ottawa-born Harkin was satisfied with his debut. “It was a lot of fun throwing in front of my family and friends” he said. Harkin was bolstered by a raucous group of Carleton supporters who had much to cheer about. “I think we have a solid core of guys. I think we can make something special happen.”
Carleton enters the game with a new group of talented players and veterans who are developing into significant threats. Ryan Burnside has been hitting at a remarkable rate, batting .600 and slugging 1.000 over 8 games.
Returning pitcher Troy Clarke has shown significant development during the off-season with local Summer collegiate club the Capital City Reds. He has won two games and earned a save while not surrendering a single run in over 14 innings of work with the Ravens so far.
“I clocked his fastball at 91” noted team President George Rigakos, “he’s turned into a lights-out kind of guy for us who can also go long.”
The Ravens take the field at RCGT Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Admission is free.
Ottawa Champions host O-train series finale