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Carl Coutu: “Our first victory is coming”

BASEBALL. Times are tough at the Brock. Never mind, Carl Coutu still trusts his teammates.

Beaten in its first eight outings this season, the Brock is still looking for an identity in its second campaign in the Quebec Major Baseball League (LBMQ). On several occasions since the start of the campaign, the Drummondvilloise formation has been mistreated in scoring.

Part of the nucleus of young players around which the organization wishes to build, Carl Coutu does not lower his head despite the difficulties of the team. The 24-year-old Drummondvillois maintains that it is only a matter of time before the tide turns.

“Our first win, I really feel it’s coming. I’m confident. The guys are not discouraged. We continue to work hard. We practice every week. We don’t despair and we continue to look forward,” said Coutu, who is playing a second season with the Brock.

The young right-handed pitcher recalled that shortly, the American Chris Salamida will arrive in town.

Carl Coutu. (Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron)

“His arrival is going to give us a helping hand on the mound. At bat, Marc-Antoine Lefebvre is on fire right now, but we need everyone to contribute. We’re going to have to get all the guys on board for us to be successful by the end of the season.”

“It doesn’t matter where we end up in the standings, whether it’s last place or in the middle of the pack, it’s in the playoffs that it counts, added Carl Coutu. We saw it last year. Until then, the fans must continue to encourage us. Their support is important.”

Mainly employed as a reliever, Carl Coutu did pretty well during his only start against the Sherbrooke Expos. The product of the Riverains of Marie-Rivier high school and the Voltigeurs of Cégep de Drummondville continues to learn his trade within one of the best amateur circuits in the country.

“It’s difficult. Every team has great hitters. When you miss a throw, it hurts you right away. If you give walks, if you reach batters or if you open the inning with an error, it does not forgive. The batters are so good and patient at bat. It’s really a big step compared to the junior”, underlined the one who defended the colors of the Ducs de Longueuil, the Alouettes de Charlesbourg and the Rocket de Coaticook in the Ligue de baseball junior élite du Québec (LBJEQ) in addition to break through to the Baseball Academy of Canada under-18 team.

Bored by an arm injury for five years, Carl Coutu has become a cut ball artist over time. His control remains one of his greatest qualities.

“I don’t have the same speed as before. I don’t throw hard, but I can hit the corners and move the ball to force the hitters to hit ground balls. As much as possible, I try to prevent them from having good contact with the ball,” he explained.

“At the moment, I help out when I’m needed. I’m confident that I can shoot well in this league,” added Carl Coutu, who holds an assistant coaching position at Cégep de Drummondville as well as with the Coaticook Rocket.

After visiting the Thetford Mines Blue Sox (7-1) on Friday night (8 p.m.), the Brock (0-8) will host the Baseball Academy of Canada Under-17 team (0- 0), Saturday evening (7 p.m.). Sunday (6 p.m.), the Shawinigan Cascades (8-2) will be at the Jacques-Desautels stadium.

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