BASEBALL. While waiting for the modernization of the Jacques-Desautels stadium, baseball fans in the region have the opportunity to attend an all-Drummondville exhibition series between the Brock and the Voltigeurs.
Played out in bitter cold on Sunday evening, in front of a handful of enthusiasts, the first installment of this two-of-three battle gave rise to an interesting duel of pitchers punctuated by some fine defensive plays. It was finally the representatives of the Cégep de Drummondville who had the last word on the Quebec Major League Baseball team by the score of 4-3. Trailing 3-1 after five innings, head coach Samuel Guilbert’s proteges won in extremis with a three-run push in the seventh inning.
“It’s a big surprise, launched Samuel Guilbert from the start. I liked the intensity of our team. Our pitchers did the job. They muzzled the Brock hitters. This is the story of this game. In attack, we did not hit a lot, but we hit at opportune moments.
“It’s really high caliber baseball, continued the one who usually evolves for the Brock. We were able to compete with the senior elite. I’m really proud of my team.”
Voltigeurs pitchers Greg Vézina, Xavier Chouinard and William St-Pierre allowed only five hits for the Brock hitters. In the sixth inning, the appearance of St-Pierre seemed to breathe new life into his teammates.
“Will is a colorful character. He knows how to take his game up a notch in close matches. He really brought us a great energy tonight, “said Samuel Guilbert.
In the Brock camp, brothers Mathieu and Dylan Gagnon joined forces on the mound, limiting the Voltigeurs’ batters to just three hits. Behind home plate, Frédéric Gagnon led his two brothers with a masterful hand.
A formative stay in the United States
Recently, the Voltigeurs played a four-game series against the Bryant & Stratton College Bobcats in New York State. The Drummondvilloise formation suffered four defeats.
“We got put back in our place. It was four very tight matches. We competed, but we came up against a better team than us. It showed us how small we are on planet baseball. We are successful in Quebec, but it showed us that there is still room for improvement when we compare ourselves with the best,” explained Samuel Guilbert.
“To reach the next level, we have to work on our energy level. Our level of intensity sometimes tends to drop, which is quite human, but we must look at what the best are doing and be inspired by it, ”added the driver of the Drummondvillois program.
On the sidelines of this journey, four Voltigeurs players were approached by the American college program. They are Greg Vézina, Alexis Morin, Zac Fréchette and Christopher Provost, who hope to receive a scholarship to pursue their career in the United States.
Within the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ), the Voltigeurs are once again at the top of the general standings less than two weeks from the end of the regular season. The Drummondvilloise formation is looking for a fourth consecutive title in the playoffs.
At the end of a streak of eleven games in nine days, the Voltigeurs will play a doubleheader against the John-Abbott College Islanders on Saturday in Montreal. Both teams are engaged in a fight for the regular season championship.
Deblois gets up at the right time
Playing their first game since their elimination against the Big Bill of Coaticook five weeks ago, the Brock saw the Voltigeurs open the scoring in the first inning. After two outs, a double from Anthony Briza put the visitors ahead 1-0.
After seeing the Brock score two runs in the fourth inning, then another in the fifth, the Voltigeurs orchestrated a victorious comeback in the top of the seventh inning. With the goals loaded, Christopher Lambert committed himself in a double play which nevertheless allowed to reduce the gap to 3-2. Gabriel Deblois then produced the tying run and the winning run thanks to a ball which fell in a safe place in the left infield.
“Gab had a pretty quiet game, but that’s baseball! In his last at bat, he propelled us to victory. He was able to raise his game in the moment that mattered the most, “said Samuel Guilbert.
The fall classic between the Brock and the Voltigeurs will continue Thursday evening, starting at 7:15 p.m., at the Jacques-Desautels stadium. The third duel is scheduled for Friday evening.
