Vancouver Island University’s men’s club baseball team is gearing up for the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) season as they chase their second Canadian College World Series Championship (CCWSC) against the top university talent in Western Canada.
The Mariner’s fall slate of games concluded after hosting the Thompson River University Wolfpack over the weekend. After 12 games against the Wolfpack and Victoria’s Golden Tide, they finished with a fall league record of 7 wins, 4 losses, and 1 rainout tie. They will now train until the regular spring season starts.
Hitting Coach and VIU Mariner player Tanner Hess joins the coaching staff and says, “Having an offensive mentality on both sides of the ball can give us that extra edge to win.” He recommends “first pitch strike,” and “hunt the fastball.”
Infielder Eli Ortman has been with the team for three years. He hit his first collegiate home run as a Mariner against the Wolfpack.
“Hess’s approach is, and has always been, …to make us better hitters. More hits equals more runs, more runs equals more wins, especially at a level like this. It doesn’t matter if the #1 seed is playing the #8 seed. What matters is who plays the game better that day,” says Ortman.
The Mariners team have put COVID-19 behind them and feel the CCWSC is within arm’s reach in the spring.
“I think the team’s mindset [is] big for us this year too. Guys aren’t just teammates, but are friends. To have chemistry as a squad, you have to enjoy each other to some extent, and you have to work well with each other and this group does that exceptionally well. The mentality this year is to win a championship. We are able, and that’s what we’ll do,” Ortman added.
The team has also had a few upgrades this season despite not being listed as an official VIU Varsity sport and therefore going without university funding.
The team purchased the Rapsodo, a software program that helps players analyze their performance in the hitting cage. They also began recording and broadcasting games for players to review and family to watch live.
They also now play at the newly renovated Serauxmen Stadium off 4th St in Nanaimo behind the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre and Nanaimo District Secondary School.
Mike Holyk, a long-time supporter of the club in Nanaimo, says, “The improvements this organization has implemented compared to past seasons is night and day.”
If you can’t wait for the Mariners’ regular season to start, head down to Serauxmen Stadium and check out the VIU World Series Oct 21st & 22nd.
