Best Moments Of 2019: Connor O'Halloran No-Hitter At Canada Cup
December 16, 2019
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Best Moments Of 2019: Connor O'Halloran No-Hitter At Canada Cup
After winning gold at the 2018 Canada Cup and working the second most innings for Team Ontario, left-hander Connor O’Halloran returned to the 2019 Canada Cup looking to dominate and demonstrate why he’s one of the top arms in the country.
O’Halloran, a 2020 Michigan commit, did just that led by a complete game no-hitter in the quarter-final against Manitoba with 14 strikeouts while allowing just one walk and one hit batter.
It was typical O’Halloran on the mound in the elimination game as Ontario looked continue on its quest to repeat as national champions. He was calm and composed, pounding the strike zone and had command of every pitch in his arsenal.
2020 @umichbaseball commit Connor O’Halloran is 84-86, T88 with a sweeping slider. #CanadaCup19?? pic.twitter.com/H6bMTYun28
— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) August 11, 2019
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Mississauga native says he knew after the first batter of the game he had his stuff working.
“Right from the first pitch, throwing a first pitch strike to the first batter of the game helps to bring the confidence up right away and after that first batter in the first inning, I felt really good and it just continued throughout the whole game.”
He had his fastball sitting comfortably at 84-86, topping out at 88 and it wasn’t just his ability to blow the heater by opponents that made him unhittable. The curveball was sharp with late break and he was able to get ahead with it and also put hitters away with it.
““The curveball was definitely the pitch I was using that game. I was using it not only to strike guys out but I was also using it to get ahead because guys usually aren’t looking for a first-pitch curveball,” explained O’Halloran. “Since I had feel for it, I could throw it for a strike, I could throw it down to get them to swing and miss so I was using that pitch especially to get the ball rolling on hitters.”
The Ontario Terriers product has pitched in several big games with the Canadian Junior National Team beginning in late 2018 and it was no surprise Ontario handed him the ball in an elimination game on the national stage and even less of a surprise to see him deliver with the 3-0 victory.
? No-Hitter!?
— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) August 11, 2019
2020 LHP Connor O’Halloran of @BaseballOntario goes the distance, striking out 14, no-hitting @BaseballMB in round 1 of the bracket.
Absolute Clinic!#CanadaCup19?? pic.twitter.com/BbIA6Brgsx
O’Halloran will look to carry his success into 2020 as every start he makes will serve as a showcase to pro scouts. He’s been seen at the top Canadian amateur events for a few years and now serving as a veteran on the JNT, he will look to take on a bigger role going up against pro players.
With his commitment to the national runner-up Michigan Wolverines, a few more performances like his 14-strikeout no-hitter in August could make for a difficult decision come draft day in June.