Votto starts with a bang, but exits early

Say this about 40-year-old Joey Votto: The Toronto native sure figured out a way to make a splash in his Blue Jays debut — good and bad. The veteran first baseman hit a home run off Philadelphia starter Zach Wheeler on the first pitch he saw in game action with the Jays, no doubt elevating the St. Patrick’s Day spirits of Canadian baseball fans.

Votto launched the Wheeler fastball over the wall in left centre field at Baycare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. Given he’s in camp on a minor league deal — which amounts as a tryout to extend his decorated career — it was a rousing first impression.

Unfortunately for the sixtime all star, the good vibes lasted just minutes. After returning to the dugout, Votto injured himself, scuttling his plans to play five innings as he works his way into game shape.

According to Mlb.com’s Keegan Matheson, Votto said he stepped on a bat in the Jays dugout and rolled his ankle. The hope from the team is that Votto’s injury won’t linger. The club has an off-day Monday, then resumes Grapefruit League play against Baltimore on Tuesday.

Canada’s Kim Boutin won gold in the women’s 500-metre final Saturday at the ISU world short-track speedskating championships.

Boutin, of Sherbrooke, Que., posted a winning time of 42.626 seconds. The gold medal was her first at a world championship, having finished second six times and third on seven other occasions.

Jordan Pierre-gilles, also of Sherbrooke, took third in the men’s event in 52.289 seconds, ahead of fourthplace finisher Steven Dubois of Laval, Que. (55.412).

Collin Cameron of Bracebridge, Ont., won the gold medal Saturday in the men’s sitting cross-country ski sprint at the Para nordic World Cup final.

Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., captured a bronze medal in the women’s standing sprint. That gives Canada six medals (three gold, one silver, two bronze) to stand third in the overall standings.

Hobart and Curry started their NCAA Division III men’s hockey quarterfinal on Saturday night. It ended on Sunday morning.

Bauer Morrissey’s goal at 15:17 of the fourth overtime — a few minutes after midnight — gave defending national champion Hobart a 4-3 victory and a trip back to the NCAA semifinals.

Curry goalie Shane Soderwall tied the Division III men’s record with 98 saves. He had stopped 61 in a row before Morrissey ended a game that lasted a little more than five hours.

“I kind of just blacked out,” Morrissey said after Hobart’s 102nd and final shot of the game.

Hobart plays Utica in Thursday’s semifinals.