Photo: Craig Glover, London Free Press

The Brock baseball team captured its third Ontario University Athletics Championship in school history after defeating the first-place Western Mustangs by the score of 5-1 at Labatt Park on Oct. 9. This is the Badgers first OUA title since 2004 and 20th victory of the season.

“It was great to see our entire lineup come and play hard both games this weekend,” head coach Jeff Lounsbury said this weekend. “Our defense was solid today, turning four double plays, and we got key hits when we needed them. This is a well deserved victory for our program.”

Badgers starter Jason Champ (London, Ont.) put forth a great performance in front of a hometown crowd. He threw seven complete innings, allowing one run on six hits with one strikeout, earning Championship Game MVP honours.

“Jason battled all game long showing his leadership and determination,” Lounsbury said. “This was his best performance of his university career. After a tough first season in 2009, it was great to see him bounce back and have the season he has had to date. Today’s victory was a great reward for an individual of his character.”

In relief, sidearmer Justin Ayles (Brampton, Ont.) continued his impressive rookie campaign, registering his fourth save of the season after throwing two innings of shutout ball including a game ending double play.

Leading the Brock offense was senior Justin Parro (Brooklin, Ont.) and Matt Kissel (Whitby, Ont.) who both went 2-for-4. Rookie Shaun Valeriote (Guelph, Ont.) contributed with a two-run single, finishing the OUA playoffs with a .500 average (4-for-8).  For his performance, he was named the OUA Playoff Most Valuable Player.

For Western, Andrew Thomson went 3-for-4 with a run scored in the loss.

The Badgers will now compete for the CIBA National Championship, which will be hosted by St. Clair College in Windsor on Oct. 22 to 24.