Ravens on their way to National Championship

Photo by: Laura Burnside
Reposted on GoRavens

OTTAWA (OCT.9.2017) –

Bolstered by back-to-back complete game victories by Carleton starters Troy Clarke (4-1, 1.90 ERA ) and Derek Harkin (1-3, 2.17 ERA) the Ravens beat the Concordia Stingers in their semi-final qualifier on Saturday at Hamilton Yards. The Ravens won both games of the semi-final doubleheader 4-2 and 4-0 taking the best of three series 2-0 and saving themselves a third playoff game in Montreal on Sunday.

In game one of the doubleheader Clarke threw 103 pitches over 7 innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 9 Stingers. He was helped by shortstop Manny Restrepo (.415, 7 RBIs) who was 2-for-3, drove in a run and stole two bases. Rookie catcher Ethan Diamandas (.286, 11 RBIs) and rookie second basemen Bryce McCrae (.444, 7 RBIs) both knocked in runs.

In game two, Harken had a spectacular outing throwing 122 pitches over 7 innings while allowing only one-hit and striking out 8 for the complete game shut-out victory. Carleton DH Ryan Burnside (.421, 14 RBIs) continues to have a stand-out year, starting the offence off with a double and knocking in a run while Restrepo again went 2-for-2 while stealing another base.

With the semi-final victory the Ravens are now 21-7-1 (12-6 in league play) on the season and have already qualified for the National Championships in Fredericton in two weeks. But before their trip to the Atlantic they must face undefeated McGill University for an opportunity to win the Northern Conference title next weekend. Both teams have already qualified for the National Championships but a Conference title would be a source of pride for both clubs.

The CCBA National Championships run from October 19-22 in Fredericton New Brunswick.