NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks erased an early four-run deficit but could not complete the comeback, surrendering the go-ahead run in the sixth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Carleton Ravens in their opening game at the 2026 OUA Baseball Championship on Friday at Oak Park Stadium.
With the game tied 4-4 in the top of the sixth, Carleton's Thomas Fournier delivered the decisive blow, singling home a run to put the Ravens back in front for good.
Carleton struck quickly in the opening inning, capitalizing on control issues to build a 4-0 lead. Rian Malig highlighted the frame with a three-run home run to centre field before Matt Albert drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run.
The Golden Hawks gradually chipped away at the deficit. Laurier got on the board by scoring on a double, an error, a groundout, and a single.
Laurier finally drew level in the bottom of the fifth.
Cole Geldart brought home a run with a groundout before
Lucas Bateman followed with an RBI single to tie the game at four.
The comeback effort overshadowed a difficult start for Laurier.
Simon Coutts lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowing four runs on one hit while walking six.
Left-hander
Jordan Miller was outstanding in relief, keeping the Golden Hawks in the game by limiting the Ravens to one run on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. Miller struck out seven and walked one.
Bateman paced the Laurier offence from the heart of the lineup, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Laurier will look to bounce back Saturday when it faces the Queen's Gaels at 10 a.m. at Welland Stadium in Welland. They will need to win three games Saturday to have a chance at Sunday's medal rounds.
The OUA baseball championship, hosted by the Brock Badgers, features a field looking to dethrone the Toronto Varsity Blues, who have won four of the past five provincial titles.
Laurier is seeking its first OUA championship since capturing back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019. The Golden Hawks have won three provincial banners in program history.
