The Holland Hurricanes continue to lead the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA) standings after improving their record to 7-1 over the weekend. 

On Saturday the ‘Canes swept the Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies in Halifax, Nova Scotia by scores of 14-1 and 21-10 before splitting games in Charlottetown with the St. Francis Xavier (St. FX) X-Men on Sunday, winning 7-0 and dropping game two, 13-3.

Saturday at SMU Huskies, Game one (W, 14-1)

The Huskies watched the game slip away early and couldn't recover in a 14-1 loss to the Hurricanes in game one on Saturday. The ‘Canes scored on a single by Tyson McInnis, a double by Chase Brown, and a single by Jake MacLaren in the first inning to take the early lead.

The Huskies struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Holland College, giving up 14 runs in the loss.

After scoring four runs in the first and a single in the second, the Hurricanes scored seven runs in the third inning after singles by Curtis McGregor and Brown, a walk by Elijah Hood, and a triple by Brett Brittany.

Ryan Abraham was the winning pitcher for the Hurricanes, going five innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out five and walking one.

McGregor, Brown, McInnis, Patrick Young, and Luke Robison each had multiple hits at the plate for the Hurricanes.

Saturday at SMU Huskies, Game two (W, 21-10)

Trailing 7-6 entering the sixth inning, the Hurricanes charged back with 11 runs to take the lead, and ultimately the victory.

The Hurricanes collected 18 hits in the win while the Huskies recorded 14 in the loss.

The Huskies stormed out to a 4-0 lead after the first, and a 7-2 lead after the second.  The ‘Canes began the comeback when they scored three runs in the third to cut the lead to 7-5 entering the fourth.  A single run in the fifth made it a one-run game.

In the sixth, the Hurricanes sent 15 batters to the plate, scoring 11 times and ultimately securing the victory.

Eric Anderson started the game on the mound for the Hurricanes, lasting just one and two-thirds innings before giving way to Parker Gallant.  Gallant went four and a third innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three and walking zero. Adam Richards threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

Luke Robison, Chase Brown, Tyson McInnis, Curtis McGregor, Brett Brittany, and Jake MacLaren all managed multiple hits for the Hurricanes in the victory.

Sunday vs St. FX X-Men, Game one (W, 7-0)

Tyler Johnston threw a gem on Sunday for the Hurricanes, allowing zero runs and just five hits, besting the St. FX X-Men by a score of 7-0.

The ‘Canes took the early lead in the first inning, scoring twice.  They’d add single runs in second and fourth innings to increase their lead to 4-0.

The Hurricanes would add three runs in the fifth inning when Patrick Young and Julian MacDonald drove in runs, putting them ahead 7-0.

Johnston’s complete game shutout included three strikeouts and zero walks on 95 pitches thrown.

The Hurricanes tallied ten hits on the day with Chase Brown and Elijah Hood picking up multiple hits each. Brown went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the ‘Canes in hits.

Sunday vs St. FX X-Men, Game two (L, 13-3)

The Hurricanes dropped their first game of the season on Sunday, allowing ten runs against in the fifth and sixth innings as they fell to the X-Men, 13-3.  The game was tied 3-3 entering the fifth inning.

In the loss the Hurricanes allowed 11 hits while only having three of their own in the game.

After taking a 3-1 lead in the third inning, the X-Men tied the game by scoring twice in the fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, the X-Men would take control of the game by scoring four runs before adding on six more in the sixth inning, giving them the 13-3 lead.

Brett Brittany took the loss for the Hurricanes on the mound, lasting one and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and four runs while striking out three.

Dylan Cameron started the game for the Hurricanes, going three and a third innings, allowing three runs on six hits, striking out one and walking one.  Chase Brown and Adam Richards also pitched for the Hurricanes in the game, lasting two-thirds and one-third innings respectively.

Avard Hart, Chase Brown, and Josh Tardif all had one hit for the Hurricanes in the loss.

Through seven games played in the regular season, Colin Gaudette leads the ‘Canes at the plate with an average of .600, going six for 10 (three singles, three doubles), six RBI’s and scoring five runs.

Luke Robison has also had a strong start to the year at the plate, holding a .546 batting average, going 15-for-18 with 14 singles and one triple, recording eight RBI’s and scoring 13 runs.

On the mound, Parker Gallant has been tremendous for the ‘Canes, recording an ERA of .955, earning one victory while walking four, allowing one earned run and striking out eight.

The Hurricanes will now focus on this weekend’s home action when they host the SMU Huskies on Saturday and the Acadia University Axemen on Sunday; both days are double-headers with games starting at 1 and 3:30pm at Memorial Field at Victoria Park in Charlottetown.

For more information on the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association, visit www.atlanticbaseball.ca.

Connect with the baseball Hurricanes by visiting www.twitter.com/canesmbaseball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.com.

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