MEN'S BASEBALL PREVIEW

Posted: Sep 14, 2021

Since Aaron Wideman was named head coach of the men’s baseball team in 2018, the program has been heading in the right direction. The team won the most games in the program’s history in 2019, going 5-12, while being in some very tight games against top-tier teams. Six of the games the Huskies lost were decided by two or fewer runs.

Their first matchup is a double-header against the Centennial Colts on Sunday, September 19^th, at 1pm and 3pm at Christie Pits Baseball Diamond. The Colts are competing in their first ever baseball season.

Coach's Quote

With the combination of some key returning players, the addition of recruits and the buy in from the entire team, head coach Wideman believes the program will catch many people off guard.

“Each year we have improved. We want to take the next step as a group. Our expectations this season is to continue our upward trajectory and ultimately make the playoffs,” head coach Wideman stated. “I think the strength of our club this season will be our offence. We have a much more balanced lineup than we’ve ever had. It’s very exciting to see and we’re looking forward to witness what they can do this season.”

Key Returning Players

Brandon Nieva
Position: Third Basemen
Since being recruited to the Huskies in 2018, Nieva has become an unstoppable force on third base -- the hot corner. He was solid in his rookie season, batting .295 while amassing 13 hits and seven runs batted in (RBIs) in 14 games. In the following season, he truly excelled, improving in every offensive category and becoming one of the best hitters in the OCAA. His .364 batting average, 20 hits, three home runs, 15 RBIs, 34 total bases, and .618 slugging percentage all ranked in the Top 10 provincially.

David De Cassan
Position: Pitcher
The starting pitcher has been a part of the Huskies team since 2017, and from the get-go has been placed in every situation. His best season came in 2019 when he etched his name in the OCAA record books by breaking the league record for innings pitched in a season with 44, surpassing the previous top mark of 41 by Ilija Bozinovski (Durham College) in 2014.

De Cassan has made a total of 24 appearances, including 11 starts and has thrown 96.2 innings while posting a 5.60 ERA and 41 strikeouts.

Aiden Colangelo
Position: First Baseman and Pitcher
Colangelo was a great addition to the team when he was recruited in 2019 as a transfer athlete from Niagara County Community College of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). He is a versatile player that primarily saw action at first base, as well as a pitcher. In 16 games, he recorded 12 hits, six walks and nine RBIs, while posting a .286 batting average in 42 plate appearances. On the pitching side of things, he posted seven strikeouts, six walks, 12 hits in eight and a third innings of work.