Verge: Ellison, Morro concentrate on NAIA World Series and "their Maple Leafs"

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) assistant coach Joe Ellison (Mississauga, Ont.), shown here with the Ontario Blue Jays, and USAO second baseman Corey Morro (Cheltenham, Ont.) have bonded over baseball and their love of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. Photos: Ontario Blue Jays and USAO Athletics

May 11, 2025

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

The location is a college baseball office in Oklahoma, but the scene - that’s very Canadian.

There are two Ontarians inside, locked in on the Toronto Maple Leafs game and their playoff run on a Friday evening in May.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma assistant coach Joe Ellison (Mississauga, Ont.), and second baseman Corey Morro (Cheltenham, Ont.) are bonded by more than just their shared nationalities and passion for baseball.

Both are also big Leafs fans. Since the start of the 2025 playoffs, the two have made a routine of catching the games together, often chatting about the intricacies of hockey with each other.

“Just being able to talk hockey with someone [is nice],” said Morro, who has played at the university since 2024.

In 52 games, he has 57 hits and 21 RBIs, hitting .343.

They recently won their fifth SAC tournament championship in program history, crushing Wayland Baptist 11-1. In that game, Morro had a part in propelling his team to victory, with one hit and one run for the university.

Although he just started playing under Ellison at the school last year, the two Canadians go back a lot further.

Ellison, who played for and wore many hats with the Ontario Blue Jays, including most recently working as director of operations, first watched Morro play when he was just eights years old, taking the field for the Brampton Royals AAA team.

Although it was more than a decade ago, that image is still clear in Ellison’s mind. He remembers Morro was playing shortstop and made a diving play, while Ellison watched from the stands with his brother.

What was his first impression of Morro?

“Sarcastically, his brother wasn’t lying when he said he was good, and in actuality, he was really talented and I figured he’d have a long career,” Ellison said.

Morro is now the starting second baseman for the university, and began the year hitting at the top of the lineup.

He’s a threat at the plate and an asset in the field, Ellison said.

“He’s just kind of like that dirtbag type player that can do a little bit of everything to help the team win,” he said of his fellow Leafs fan.

He’s brought consistency to their roster, and for him to be a part of it, that’s huge for them, Ellison said.

And, as both their seasons continue, the Leafs and the University of Science and Arts, Morro and Ellison align perfectly on two things.

Their desire for the Leafs to bring home a Stanley Cup, and their goal for their own team.

Making it to the World Series.

“If we put it all together I think we’re peaking at the right time, and we have a chance to maybe go to the World Series,” Ellison said.

Morro agrees.

“I really want to see us go to the World Series,” Morro said.

“[And] I think we can do that down here.”