The 2025 edition of the CABC Gold Bat Invitational Tournament is set to unfold this weekend in Sarnia & Courtright as 12 of the top Ontario Men's AAA programs are set to battle for the title. Here is a quick preview of each of the divisions as we get ready for first pitch on Friday evening:

 

STAN SLACK DIVISION

*Sarnia Brigade (4-1 Record; 2nd place Southwestern League)

The Sarnia Brigade are off to a good start this season. They dropped their season opener to rivals the Ilderton Riverhawks 11-2 but have since rattled off four wins in a row including a tight 3-2 last night over those same Riverhawks. The Brigade return a very large part of their roster from 2024 which saw them finish in 2nd place both at the inaugural Gold Bat Tournament as well as dropping a tight 7-5 decision against the Newmarket Hawks in the Provincial Elimination final.

 

At the dish, the Brigade are led by Logan Buntrock, Blake Butler and Wes Brooks. For the time being, it looks like Core Jackson is also back in town with the club which is a huge boost to their lineup. On the mound, the Briagde boost a deep pitching rotation. Jake Taylor, Quinton Johnston and Cole Brydges have been great on the mound this year but the Sarnia club has a number of options to use including Seth Ainsworth and Greg Ross both of whom  just returned from school. 

 

*Tecumseh Thunder (9-2 Record; 1st Place Can Am League)

The Tecumseh Thunder have been red hot out of the gates in 2025 as the team looks like the old Thunder clubs of the mid 2010s when they won five provincial titles in a row. After dropping their first couple of games to the Windsor Athletics and the Windsor Stars, the Thunder have rattled off nine wins in a row in league play including a pair of lopsided wins against WAA and a 5-2 win over the Stars earlier in the week. 

 

Offensively for Tecumseh, Cam Goddard (.500/2 HR/2 2B/12 R/19 RBI) has had a great start to his season. Also chipping in are Dan Warkentin (.458/HR/6 2B/10 R/12 RBI), Ross Barker (.310/2 HR/2 2B/8 R/11 RBI) and Caden Gomes (.452/4 2B/12 R/8 RBI). PItching wise, Chris Horvath (3-0/22 Inn/1 ER/0.32 ERA) has had a dominant start to his season as the big righy as been nearly unhittable. Taylor Pappin (4-0/23 Inn/4 ER/1.32 ERA) and Kyle Breitner (1-1/16 Inn/11 ER/4.81 ERA) have helped form a very dangerous trio of arms that can beat any team in the province. 

 

*Thornhill Reds (2-3 Record; 5th Place Greater Toronto League)

The Thornhill Reds are off to a .500 start in Greater Toronto League action this year. The club has undergone some major changes this year roster wise as a few bigs names have either retired or are playing other levels of baseball this summer. The Reds have remained competitive though as they have wins over East York (16-6) and Kendal (15-5) while dropping games to Ajax (5-3) and Newmarket (11-1 & 15-0).

 

At the plate, Thornhill is led by Tyler Hill (.462/HR/3B/6 R/3 RBI), Warren Kember (.294/HR/3 R/3 RBI), and speedster Kravice Batts (.455/2B/7 R/2 RBI/6 SB). On the mound, it been a pitch by committee approach so far but Joseph Handley (0-1/6 Inn/2 ER/3.00 ERA) and Daniel Meron (0-1/9 Inn/9 ER/9.00 ERA) have handled the majority of the pitching duties so far. Cory Levy (0-0/2 Inn/0 ER/0.00 ERA) has thrown a couple of clean inning this year with Batts (1-0) and Patt Orr (1-0) getting the wins so far this season for th Reds. 

 

*Erindale Cardinals (2-7 Record; T- 6th Place COBA Major League)

The Erindale Cardinals have struggled a bit out of the gates this year as they currently sit tied for last place in the COBA Major Baseball League standings. After a slow start to the year, the Redbirds have shown some life over the past couple of weeks as games have been more competitive and the team is starting to swing the bats a little better leading to some improved results in games. There two wins this season have comer against Milton and Oakville. 

 

With the roster turnover the last couple of seasons, the Erindale club is in a bit of a re-build mode which should help them out moving forward. Offensively, the Cardinals are led by the trio of Alex Pieper, Evan Brasil and Marcus Herback. On the mound, Erindale will rely on the arms of Curtis King, Daniel Lucas and Connor Gentes to give them some quality innings.

 

 

JOE PANIK DIVISION

*Windsor Stars (7-5 Record; 2nd Place Can Am League)

The Windsor Stars currently sit in 2nd place the Can Am League sitting a couple of games above .500. Windsor got off to a bit of a slugglish start dropping 2 of their first three games of the year including losses to the Windsor Athletics and Windsor Selects 22U. In June, they are currently 3-2 including a pair of wins over WAA and a mercy 11-1 win over the Tecumseh Thunder 22U club. Their two losses were to WAA and the Tecumseh Thunder 5-2 earlier this week. Their roster has some notable omissions from last year as Jake Lumley, Andrew Wasyluk and veteran backstop Matt Deneau are all not listed. 

 

At the plate, the Stars still boast some pop as Alex Boucher (.344/3B/2B/4 R/8 RBI), Jacob Prsa (.310/3B/8 R/5 RBI), Jeremy Orton (.296/4 2B/7 R/7 RBI) and Noah Renaud (.400/2B/7 R/ 3 RBI) led the way offensively for Windsor. On the mound, the Stars still boast one of the best rotations in the province led by electric RHP Kimani Bailey (3-1/21 Inn/6 ER/2.00 ERA). Noah Richardson (3-0/12 Inn/0 ER/0.00 ERA) has also been sharp on the mound this year while Jack Zimmerman (1-1/17 Inn/9 ER/3.71 ERA) while not his dominant self yet had some solid outings too. 

 

*Etobicoke Rangers (7-1 Record; 1st Place COBA Major League)

The Etobicoke Rangers are off and running in the COBA Major Baseball League again this summer. They won their first two games of the year before hitting their sole blip on the year so far losing at home to the expansion Waterloo Tigers. Since then, they have started playing some great baseball winning four in a row including a pair of wins over Erindale and wins over Brampton and Oakville outscoring teams 56-14 over that span of games. While returning a good part of their roster, they have some notable departures the biggest one being RHP Owen Boone who returned to the IBL this summer

 

Offensively, the Rangers have a strong lineup led by Tanner Young-Schultz (.611/3 2B/2 3B/9 R/10 RBI) who has had a hot start to his 2025 season. MIke Foster (.467/3B/2B/8 R/8 RBI) has also gotten off to a good start while Dan Franceschetti (.440/8 2B/7 R/6 RBI) and Kyle Bowers (.368/2B/5 R/10 RBI) are also swinging it well. On the mound, veterans Andrew Hyde (1-0/13 Inn/5 ER/3.46 ERA) and Mike Asta (1-0/4 Inn/0 ER/0.00 ERA) lead a very young Rangers pitching staff this season. Ronan Hayes (1-0/10 2/3 Inn/5 ER/4.22 ERA) has shown well this year too while newcomer Max Zentil (0-0/9 Inn/0 ER/0.00 ERA) has been impressive on the mound as well. 

 

*Burlington Brants (5-3 Record; 2nd Place COBA Major League)

The Burlington Brants have gotten off to a good start in 2025 as they look to have another strong season. The Brants boast a veteran core of players as the majority of the team returns this season and they look to get over the hump and try and grab a tournament title. After losing their season opener 8-4 to Brampton, the Brants rattled off three wins in a row beating Erindale twice and Waterloo. They dropped their 2nd game of the season to Milton but bounced back to beat Milton in Campbellville followed by another win over the Tigers 5-4. 

 

At the plate, they are being led by Bill Reaume (.429/HR/2 2B/5 R/9 RBI) and Michael Westlake (.407/HR/5 2B/6 R/5 RBI). Veteran slugger Tim Sogan (.381/5 2B/3 R/6 RBI) is also having a good season while Noah Bertin (.380/3 2B/5 R/5 RBI) has had a steady start to the season as well. On the mound, it is the Connors brother who have led the way. Luke (3-0/17 Inn/4 ER/2.12 ERA) has had a hot start to the year while Joel (1-1/11 Inn/4 ER/3.27 ERA) has also been throwing well. Cam Ryerson (1-1/8 Inn/4 ER/4.50 ERA) has the team other win this season while veteran Trevor Woodjetts (0-0/5 Inn/0 ER/0.00 ERA) has looked good in limited action so far. 

 

*Leaside Leafs (3-3 Record; 4th Place Greater Toronto League)

The Leaside Leafs have started off their 2025 season at .500 as they enter the Gold Bat Tournament weekend. They started off the year losing their opener at Newmarket before splitting a home & home with East York in their next two games. The Leafs follwed that with a win over the Kendal Eagles 11-4 at home before dropped their next game at Talbot Park 12-6 to the Ajax Spartans. Leaside bounced back though as they defeated those same Spartans 10-7 at the Ajax Sportsplex. 

 

Offensively, the Leafs are being led by Andrew Clifford (.462/2 HR/3B/5 R/10 RBI) who is off to a good start in 2025. Nick Manoukarakis (.417/3B/2B/R/5 RBI) and Ben Jones (.364/HR/3 2B/6 R/6 RBI) has also had good seasons so far. Veteran Joe Woods (.400/2B/4 R/4 RBI) has swung a good bat in limited playing time too. On the mound, veteran Jorge Frugoni (1-0/1 Sv/10 Inn/3 ER/2.70 ERA) continues to find ways to win ballgames while fellow veteran Chris Goodale (1-0/8 Inn/6 ER/6.75 ERA) and Justin Fuller (1-1/7 2/3 Inn/9 ER/10.57 ERA) have the other two wins for Leaside this season. 

 

 

JOHN VASEY DIVISION

*Ilderton Riverhawks (6-2 Record; 1st Place Southwestern League)

The Ilderton Riverhawks got off to a hot start again this season as they currently sit atop the Southwestern League standings. The Ilderton club ratlted off five win in a row including wins over Sarnia, Sarnia 22U club, Dorchester 22U and a pair of wins over the London Badgers. They have lost two of their last three games though including a tight contest last night 3-2 to the Sarnia Brigade at Errol Russell Field. The club returns a good core of their roster from last year and will look to try and take the next step and take home a tournament title in 2025. 

 

Offensively, the Riverhawks are led by Troy Lofgren, Dalton Crosswell, Will Pollard and Jordan Camara. On the hill, the Ilderton club is led by the tandem of RHP Leo Labine and LHP Jordan Townshend. Also they will need  some quality innings this year are Josh Krautner and Mitch Lumley. 

 

*Newmarket Hawks (8-1 Record; 1st Place Greater Toronto League)

The Newmarket Hawks come into this weekend as the defending champions of our CABC Gold Bat Tournament. After a great run in 2024 which saw them win the Gold Bat as well as the Provincial Championship, they seem to be picking up right where they left off last year in 2025. They won their first game of the year over Leaside before dropping a tight 4-3 game to Kendal. Since then, the Hawks have rattled off seven league wins in a row ans currently sit in 1st plaxce in the GTBL by 3.5 games. 

 

Offensively, the Hawks are led by Troy McLoughlin (.323/2 2B/6 R/6 RBI) as well as Reid Lunney (.444/3 2B/8 R/7 RBI), Alex Kok (.296/HR/2 2B/4 R/10 RBI) and Ethan Murdy (.438/HR/3 2B/4 R/6 RBI). On the mound, Newmarket returns a good core of their arms from last season. They are led by the trio of Christian Mullen (2-0/13 Inn/7 ER/4.85 ERA), Riley Hoover (1-1/13 Inn/6 ER/4.15 ERA) and Carson Hepburn (1-0/13 Inn/1 ER/0.69 ERA). Keegan Pulford-Thorpe (1-0/3 Inn) and Lucas Earle (1-0/3 Inn) have also impressed early with limited action.

 

*Windsor Athletics (4-7 Record; 4th Place Can Am League)

The Windsor Athletics have gotten off to a good start in the ultra competitive Can Am League in the Windsor area. They are currently sitting in 4th place by half a game. After getting out of the gates hot with three wins in a row, including a win over the Tecumseh Thunder, they are now 1-7 in their last eight league games but have remained competitive in some of those games as they come to Sarnia this weekend. 

 

At the plate, the A's are led by Chris Ronaldi-Ross (.400/HR/4 2B/12 R/9 RBI) whohas been swinging a hot stick as of late. They have also gotten good contributions from Will Cockram (.391/2 2B/2 R/7 RBI), Adam Pickel (.343/3 2B/6 R/3 RBI) and Mitchell Zimmerman (.375/2B/6 R/4 RBI). On the mound, veteran Kyle Trudell (2-0/13 Inn/2 ER/1.08 ERA) has been throwing great this year. Isaac Harris (1-0/15 Inn/2 ER/0.93 ERA) and Mitchell Zimmerman (1-1/8 2/3 Inn/3 ER/2.52 ERA) have the other two wins for Windsor and will be counted on for some big innings this weekend. 

 

*Brampton Royals (5-4 Record; 3rd Place COBA Major League)

The Brampton Royals are currently sitting around .500 so far this season after a very successful 2024 campaign that saw them advance to the FInal 3 at the Provincal Elimination tournament in Windsor. The Royals have undergone a few roster changes this year with some major names either taking the year off or have opted for retirement but the club remains competitive and will always be a tough out. After dropping their first two contests of the season, they have rebounded to win five of their last seven games and trail the Etobicoke Rangers by 3 games in the standings.

 

Offensively, the Royals are led by veterans Patrick Pinlac (.260/HR/2B/5 R/8 RBI) and Joe Ferreira (.476/2 2B/4 R/7 RBI). Caleb Chramow (.412/2 2B/7 R/5 RBI) and Victor Speciale (.294/2B/5 R/5 RBI) have also had good starts to their 2025 seasons. On the hill, Alex Emerson (2-0/10 1/3 Inn/2 ER/1.74 ERA) has been stellar so far in leading the pitching staff. Cameron Hibbs (1-0/12 1/3 Inn/14 ER/10.22 ERA) and Arman Lakhani (1-1/12 2/3 Inn/5 ER/3.55 ERA) have also been good so far and will be counted on for some innings this weekend. 

 

Tournament Standings & Result Link: https://www.cabcbaseball.com/teams/default.asp?u=CANADIANAMATEURBASEB1&s=baseball&p=custom&pagename=2025+CABC+Gold+Bat+Tournament+Results 

 

Best of luck to all of the teams that are attending this year's event. We are happy to host all of you and look forward to an awesome weekend of baseball.