The 2018 season has been outstanding thus far for the Okotoks Dawgs 18U Black team with a record of 23 wins and only 6 losses. Early on, the Dawgs 18U Black won the Best of the West Championship when they defeated the Vauxhall Jets by a score of 14-2, and most recently, took home their fourth straight New Era Mother’s Day Classic Championship when they defeated the Dawgs 18U Red by a score of 14-3.

The Dawgs 18U Black have been playing their best baseball and are currently riding a 17 game win streak heading into the biggest tournament of the season, the Arizona Four Corners Classic.

The tournament consists of 32 teams from across North America with the Dawgs being the only Canadian team in the tournament. There is much more on the line than just playing in another tournament south of the border, this trip has the potential to change to the entire landscape of future Dawgs Academy players and the type of exposure they get to better competition and college programs. The significance of this tournament is that the two teams that make it to the Championship game will receive an invitation to the prestigious Arizona Fall Classic Showcase Tournament, one of the top two tournaments in North America for exposure to college baseball programs of all levels.

To help prepare for the tournament, Dawgs 18U Black Coach Tyler Hollick arranged for the team to practice at his alma mater, Chandler-Gilbert Community College. It was a great opportunity for the boys to get some reps in and get acclimatized to the Arizona heat and high sky.

When Dawgs 18U Black Coach, Val Helldobler, was asked what this means to the team and the program, this is what he had to say

“This is a significant and special opportunity for our athletes to play against some great competition, and to really help put the Dawgs name out there with the potential of playing in the Arizona Fall Classic. On top of the great exposure, its great competition. The boys have been playing their best baseball of the year coming into this and we are excited for this group to showcase their talent.”

When Dawgs 18U Black Coach and Dawgs Alumni, Tyler Hollick, was asked about what this means to the Dawgs program, this is what he had to say

“Pretty special to be able to come full circle being a former Dawgs player, and now a coach, to see how far this program has really come. Its a great opportunity for our athletes to prove their talent and that they know how to play the game the right way, and at the same time, help build the reputation of the Dawgs Organization on an international level.”

The Dawgs open up tournament play Friday June 1 when they play a double header at 12 pm and 2:30 pm at the Peoria Sports Complex, spring training complex of the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. The final pool play game takes place on the main stadium at 10 am. The rest of the schedule is to be determined at the end of pool play.

Friday June 1

Game 1 vs Idaho Falls Bandits on Padres Field #5 @ 12 pm

Game 2 vs BNL Blue on Padres Field #5 @ 2:30 pm

Saturday June 2

Game 3 vs T-Rex Rawlings Baseball on Main Stadium @ 10 am