Week in Review

A 4-2 week for the Ottawa Champions moves the club just 4.5 games out of first place in their first season in the Can-Am League. The Champions began the week 1-2, but then won the last three, tying the franchise for record for consecutive wins.

Friday’s game against Sussex County was postponed until Saturday, setting up a double-header on Sunday. The two club’s split those games, with Ottawa taking the first and the Miners winning the second. The Champions showed how resilient they can be in the first game, falling behind three times, but battling back each time, and finally winning on a walk-off wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth. Ottawa pounded out 14-hits, getting two hits from six players, including three from Chris Winder. Roberto Ramirez and Sebastien Boucher had two hits, scored two runs and drove in a run each.

In the second game of the double-header, Jamie Walczak tossed a no-hitter, allowing just two walks and while striking out five. It was Sussex County’s first franchise no-hit game.

The Champions welcomed the Rockland Boulders for a three-game series. The Boulders won the first game 5-3, behind four runs in the third inning.

Ottawa won the final two games of the series, taking both games by one-run. The Champions jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second game before the Boulders tied it the top of the eighth. Ottawa got a run right back in the bottom of the inning to win 4-3. Boucher scored the winning run after hitting a double with one out, and scored on a Nick Purdy single. Purdy not only drove in the winning run, but also earned the victory, his second of the season.

In the final game of the series the home team jumped out to a 6-2 lead, then held on for the 6-5 win. Alan DeRatt earned the save for the second straight night, giving him five for the season. Jon Talley went 2-4 with a run and 3 RBI. He also hit his second home run of the year.

On to New Jersey the Champions went, where they won the first game of a four-game series Thursday night. Ottawa led 7-1 through six, before holding on for the 7-4 victory. Wilmer Font earned is third win of the season with seven outstanding innings. Purdy earned his first save. Talley had another big night, going 2-5 with a run and 4 RBI, including his third home run of the season.

June 13 – Ottawa 8, Sussex County 7
June 13 – Sussex County 4, Ottawa 0
June 15 – Rockland 5, Ottawa 3
June 16 – Ottawa 4, Rockland 3
June 17 – Ottawa 6, Rockland 5
June 18 – Ottawa 7, New Jersey 4

Record: 10-12, 4.5 games out of first place, (5th)

Who’s Hot

Jon Talley added over 40 points to his average this week, going 8-22 with 3 runs and 8 RBI. Talley added two home runs and played a huge part in the club’s last two wins, going 4-9 with 7 RBI.

Transactions

On June 12, the Ottawa Champions released RHP Jaspreet Shergill. The right-hander had made just one appearance, allowing two runs in one inning of work.

On June 15 the club signed infielder Daniel Bick and traded infielder Kyle Brandenburg to Winnipeg of the American Association. Bick has two hits in 11 at-bats since joining the Champions.

By Robert Pannier