Campus News
October 25th, 2022
Travel teams serve dual purposes for GC baseball
Canadian squads: Fall opponents and potential source of future Lakers
Garrett College’s baseball squad recently hosted a pair of Canadian 18-and-under travel teams, taking on the Titan Baseball Club of Ontario and Team Ontario Baseball. GC head coach Eric Hallenbeck said scheduling the Canadian travel teams helps his Lakers now – and also potentially down the road.
“These teams are good competition for our guys during our fall scrimmage schedule,” said Hallenbeck. “The games also provide their players with a chance to see what Garrett College is like as they consider their college choices.”
Wyatt Slocum is a perfect example – a former Titan who is now playing for the Lakers.
“[Titans] Coach [Denis] Bailey is very high on Wyatt,” said Hallenbeck. “He described Wyatt as exactly the kind of kid we were looking for.”
Slocum actually missed last year’s trip to Garrett College, but said Bailey told him GC would be a good situation for him.
“I love it here,” Slocum, an outfielder/pitcher, said before the Team Ontario doubleheader.
“It’s a little cold, but I’m used to that,” added the Keswick, Ontario native.
Ontario head coach Shawn Lynn said his organization is making GC a regular stop on its American fall schedule.
“We enjoyed it last year – that’s why we’re back,” Lynn said during warm-ups before his team’s doubleheader against GC.
Lynn’s team came to Garrett College as part of a 10-day trip that included games against eight college and university teams.
“We use this trip for our guys to see what the college level is all about and how they match up against college players,” said Lynn. “We’ll talk with Coach [Hallenbeck] about the day-in and day-out schedule of college baseball. That’s really helpful for our players.”
“I had a chance to address Team Ontario,” Hallenbeck said after playing the Canadian squad. “I spoke about the recruiting process, the camaraderie with their teammates, and to never take this game that they play for granted. It can be taken away from you in an instant, with COVID being a prime example.
“I also talked about being a student-athlete and what that means,” added Hallenbeck, “and that what they should be looking for is a quality experience.”
