With a big crowd made up of families, alumni and longtime team supporters on hand, the Brock Badgers baseball team defeated the visiting Ontario Blue Jays 11-3 in the inaugural Hometown Baseball game Sunday, Sept. 16.

“What a fun day. We want to thank all of the fans that came out to support us,” said Brock baseball coach Marc LePage. “This event means a lot to us. You could tell the players had an extra level of intensity in their game today.”

Toronto Blue Jays Assistant General Manager and Brock alumni Andrew Tinnish (BRLS ’99, BSM ’01) threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The game also featured face painting and a family zone with games for kids, and a barbecue with proceeds going to the Brock baseball program.

The Badgers are already looking forward to next year’s event.

“We love to finds way to engage with the community,” said Brian Hutchings, Vice-President, Administration. “What a great turnout from the community. It was a true hometown crowd. My favourite part was hearing the children clamper on the metal stands to retrieve a foul ball and to see our players interacting with kids.”

Brock trailed the game 2-1 until Bryn Sanford hit a home run to bring fans to their feet, and give the Badgers the lead, which they never relinquished. They out-hit the Blue Jays 15-6. Starting pitcher Alex Nolan struck out six batters.

The baseball team has now won five consecutive games, including a pair of wins Saturday when the Badgers defeated McMaster 6-3 and 8-4 at George Taylor Field.

This Friday, Sept. 21, the Badgers return to the community in front of a sold-out crowd at the Meridian Centre as the men’s hockey team battles the Guelph Gryphons in the 20th anniversary of the Steel Blade Classic.