COTE ST. LUC, QUE – The McGill men's baseball team were outhit 8-2 but somehow rallied for a key 3-1 victory over first-place UQTR, to sweep a doubleheader at Gary Carter Field, on Sunday.
 
It was only McGill's third lifetime win in 11 meetings with the defending league champion Patriotes.
 
"We played error-less baseball and capitalized on our opportunities," said Christopher Haddad, in his second season as McGill head coach and field manager. "We played a lot more 'small ball' and our pitchers got the outs when it counted... UQTR was shorthanded a few players but they threw their aces at us in both games today and we did very well to come away with two wins."

The result, combined with a 2-1 extra-inning decision in the opener, improved second-place McGill to 6-4 in the Quebec University Baseball League standings. The Redbirds sit two games behind UQTR (7-2) with two contests remaining in the 12-game schedule before playoffs.
 
UQTR opened the scoring in the second inning when eighth-place hitter Jeffrey Dupont smacked an RBI double to centre, cashing in Emilien Plouffe from second base.
 
The Redbirds responded with runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings.
 
Right-fielder Wilton Bompey and shortstop Brad Marelich had the two McGill hits. Bompey doubled and walked, crossing home plate on both occasions. Marelich, who was batting from the leadoff spot, was 1-for-3 with an RBI. He cashed in Bompey from second base with the winning run on a fifth-inning single to left.
 
Redbirds starter Caden Welch lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks. Reliever Tate Spence was credited with the win, allowing a pair of hits and striking out two in 3.2 innings of work. Alaistair Mitchell pitched the final inning and earned a save, conceding one hit to the first batter but striking out the next two and inducing a ground-out to third base.
 
"Alistair had ice in his veins," Haddad said. "He came in the seventh and just completely shut them down."

Pats starter Cedric Caron went the distance and took the loss. He allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits, walked three and struck out two.
 
McGill will close out the regular season with a game at third-place Concordia (3-5) on Sept. 24 and a home game against the Montreal Carabins on Sept. 25. Both games are slated for 7:30 p.m. starts at Gary Carter Field.
 
UQTR's magic number to clinch the regular-season pennant is one – a victory in their last two games or a loss by the Redbirds will ensure a first-place finish.

BOXSCORE

 
2024 QUEBEC UNIVERSITY BASEBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS
 

TEAM	W	L	PCT	DIFF	PF	PA	PTS
UQTR	8	2	0.800	-	57	17	16
McGILL	6	4	0.600	2.0	60	39	12
CONCORDIA	4	5	0.444	3.5	50	50	8
MONTREAL	1	8	0.125	6.5	21	82	2

SOURCE
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
CELL: 514-983-7012
E-MAIL:earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca