Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

GUELPH, ON – Saturday afternoon marked opening day for the 2016 OUA baseball season with the Gryphons sweeping a doubleheader versus McMaster at Hastings Field.
 
In Game 1, the Gryphons won 12-5 over the Marauders behind 7 solid innings of work from starting pitcher Nathan Kraemer. Kramer picked up six strikeouts while allowing just 2 earned runs for his first win of the season. Leading the way offensively for the Gryphons was fourth year slugger Gordon Walmsley (Hanover, ON) with a pair of hits and 4 RBI on the day. Second year catcher Troy Lacoste chipped in as well with a clutch two-out, two-run single to help extend the Gryphons lead from 3-0 to 5-0. The Gryphons would tack on six more runs in the top of the 9^th to seal the win and improve to 1-0 on the season.
 
In Game 2, third year pitcher Sam Salemi (Toronto, ON) was dominant in his 2016 debut, pitching a complete game shutout in a Gryphons 7-0 victory. Salemi, who split time last year between the bullpen and starting rotation, is part of a U of G rotation that will feature four new arms who are either new to the team or new to a full-time starting role. For Gryphons head coach Matt Griffin, the reigning OUA Coach of the Year, it was the performance of his two starters that impressed him most on opening day. "We knew we'd be able to produce some runs this season. We lost just one everyday player from our lineup from a year ago, but we've got some new arms in the rotation this season. Both guys today were really, really good. It was a great way to start the season for our pitchers."
 
The offence for the Gryphons in Game 2 was led by another veteran slugger in Matt Forer (Brampton, ON). The 2015 OUA First Team All-Star got his 2016 season started off with a bang on Saturday by recording a pair of multi-hit games. In Game 2, Forer had three hits including a pair of doubles. The Gryphons scored five runs in the 5^th inning, with help from a Marauders two-run error in the outfield, to blow things open and seal the sweep.  Gryphons fourth year left fielder Joe Ciccia (Guelph, ON) also picked up a pair of RBI's in the win.
 
Up next for the Gryphons is a doubleheader with Laurier on Sunday at Hastings Field. Robert Wilson, the Gryphons new ace and NCAA transfer from Niagara University, will make his U of G debut in Game 1. Third year man Liam Rivard (Cambridge, ON) is slated to start Game 2 in what will be his first start as a Gryphon. First pitch versus the Golden Hawks is set for 12pm.