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Mustangs honoured as all stars, looking towards next season

An outstanding season from the Mustangs men’s baseball team was recognized on May 8 as five players were chosen to represent Western as part of the Ontario University Athletics all-star team in the fifth annual OUA Baseball All-Star Showcase.

“It was a great feeling knowing the OUA recognized the season I had last year. Being an all-star in any sport, at any age level, is a great accomplishment,” Mustangs’ pitcher Paul Lytwynec said.

Joining Lytwynec were teammates Adam Paish, Shawn Robinson, Ian Campbell and Andrew Bergman as they competed against the 2010 OUA champion Brock Badgers in an exhibition match at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

“We took on the all-stars last year after winning the championship, but this was my first time invited to the OUA all-star showcase as an all-star, so I was quite excited,” Bergman explained. “Anytime you get a chance to play on a major league baseball field, it’s pretty cool.”

The Mustangs’ 2010 season ended with a heartbreaking 5-1 loss to the same Brock Badgers in the OUA championship game. The Mustangs ended the regular season on top of the OUA standings with an 11-3 record and look to repeat that regular season success, albeit with different playoff results.

“We had a great season and when it comes down to a single game you got to go out there and play your best baseball and we didn’t,” Bergman said.

Under the guidance of head coach Mike Lumley, the Mustangs have consistently been a contending team, having won four of the past six OUA Championships. Lumley has also won three OUA coach of the year awards.

The recruiting and development of young talent, paired with a team-first attitude instilled by Lumley and his staff is a large part of why the Mustangs have had such sustained success.

“Coach Lumley and the Western coaching staff have been amazing. They are the best coaches I’ve ever had and I credit much of my improvement to their great baseball knowledge and dedication,” sophomore Daniel Goldberg said.

While the all-star nod may be gratifying for the players, anything less than avenging their heartbreaking loss by winning the OUA championship will be a huge disappointment. With many returning players and a lot of rising talent, Western has all the tools needed to climb to the top of the OUA yet again.

“To win the OUA championship, that’s all that matters,” Lytwynec said. “I don’t care what my numbers are at the end of the year. If I have that championship ring on my finger, I’ve accomplished my goal.”

“I know for a fact we have the talent to win the OUA championship this year, not including the players we will add at the beginning of the year. What we need is for the season to start,” Goldberg added.

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