Pedal to the Metal

By IAN WILSON

If you don’t like where you’re at, just pedal harder.

That’s what Cory Wouters and Cam Marshak did for their teams in a recent high-scoring clash between McCook Community College Indians and the Colby Community College Trojans.

Wouters – a lefty pitcher and first baseman for the Indians – and Marshak, an infielder with the Trojans, both hit the cover off the ball during an April 1st game at Young Memorial Field in Colby, Kansas, where McCook College outlasted Colby College with a wild 23-22 win after nine innings.

The Saskatchewan products achieved the rare feat of hitting for the cycle, which means they recorded a single, double, triple and a home run in the same game. Even more impressive was that they did it competing against each other on the same diamond.

For his part, Wouters went 6-for-6 with three runs, eight runs batted in (RBI), and 16 total bases. In achieving the cycle, the Saskatoon native smacked two doubles and a pair of homers. The performance led McCook College’s 20-hit attack on the day.

“I’m not sure I’ve seen a day like Cory had today, since Tommy Barnes had a four home run game in 2010,” said Jon Olsen, the long-time head coach of the Indians.

“I’m happy for him and it went a long way to the win, too.”

Wouters, a member of the Saskatoon Berries in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) last summer, said he cannot recall a day quite as productive as his one against the Trojans.

“I’ve had a couple good games this season but I don’t think I’ve had a game that is more memorable to me than this one,” said Wouters.

“Winning has always been the most important thing to me, so I was just trying to help the team by driving in runners, so I didn’t really think much of it and was just worried about the next at bat and doing my job at hand.”

The 6-foot-2 righty batter said he didn’t think too much about completing the cycle until he was able to connect on a triple.

“I think after I hit the triple I thought there was a slim chance. I’ve never been a fast runner by any means, so when I knocked that one out I started thinking there was a chance,” said Wouters, who finished the task with a single.

Wouters is in his sophomore season with McCook Community College. Over 83 games during his two seasons, he is batting .415 with a .477 on-base percentage, 22 home runs, 26 doubles and 93 RBI. On the bump, Wouters has appeared in 16 games – nine of them starts – and registered 104 strikeouts over 62 innings.

“Off the field, I am trying to always get extra work in, whether that’s in the cage or in the weight room, getting in extra lifts, so I think that’s what’s helped me so far,” he said.

“I’m always trying to keep a routine, as well, and not change what I do and stay consistent.”

Wouters and Marshak are familiar with each other from their baseball games back home in Saskatchewan.

“Cam and I have played against each other and together before. We played in the SPBL (Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League) against each other, and together in the Canada Games in 2022,” said Wouters.

“We talked after the game. I knew he hit well that day, but I didn’t notice he hit for the cycle as well until after we talked.”

MASHING MARSHAK

Marshak went 4-for-6 in a losing cause, registering three runs, two RBI and a walk as a part of the Trojans 17-hit outing.

The Bruno, Saskatchewan native had not hit for the cycle prior to his game against Wouters.

“I thought really hard after the game, way back to my early days of playing and I realized I have definitely never hit for the cycle at any age. I’ve had a couple multi-homer games and one six-hit game that I remember, so it was pretty cool to be able to put together something as rare as a cycle here in my freshman year of college,” said the righthanded batter.

Marshak didn’t realize the achievement until after he did it and was more in awe of Wouters knocking the ball around the ballpark.

“The hit that I completed it with was the home run, but to be completely honest, I wasn’t fully aware of the fact that I did what I did. I realized it the next half inning while playing third when Cory completed his with a single. I thought to myself at that point that I must be somewhat close to a cycle of my own. I started to count what I had done each at bat and that’s when I realized I had all the steps completed already,” said Marshak.

“It was such a high-scoring game, with everyone kind of paying attention to the amazing game Cory was having with six hits … nobody really expected another cycle to happen. Once everybody figured it out we were hyped up for sure. Everyone was pretty excited to see something rare like that happen and appreciate how cool it was.”

One of Marshak’s pals grabbed his home run ball for him, giving him a “pretty cool souvenir to keep and appreciate” from the game.

“It was pretty cool to double up on something so rare, especially with a familiar face on the other side like Cory. I would be very, very surprised if that’s happened with two Sask guys before in collegiate ball,” said Marshak, who has 15 hits and 12 RBI for Colby Community College through 17 games.

“It is sure nice to see Sask guys having success down here in the States,” he added.

“It’s really nice seeing familiar faces being so far away from home. There might be one or two guys you know every couple of games and I’m always sure to meet up with them after games.”

Marshak was an affiliated player with the Berries in 2024. He didn’t see game action in the WCBL last season but he expects to be back with the club this summer.