The Okotoks Dawgs 18U Black just recently wrapped up their tournament in Peoria, Arizona participating in the Arizona Four Corners Classic. The tournament consisted of 8 pools of 4, for a total of 32 teams from across North America. Tournament format saw all 8 pool winners play in the championship bracket while all others played a consolation game. Unfortunately, the Dawgs finished third in their bracket after going 1-1-1 in pool play; ultimately the Dawgs would finish 2-1-1 in the tournament.

While the Dawgs did not make the playoff round, the trip to Phoenix was still valuable for the players to face some good competition while being scouted heavily by numerous NCAA and NJCAA programs. At the end of the day, the Dawgs pride themselves on turning our athletes into better ballplayers and better young men while providing them with opportunities to play baseball at the next level. Our athletes did a tremendous job of showcasing their talents, and the Dawgs staff is proud of the hard work these young men have put in all year. It was great to see them have the opportunity to play in front of some schools that have never heard of the Dawgs program before and were left with a great impression of what our program is all about and the talent our athletes have in this game.

GO DAWGS!

Game 1 vs Idaho Falls Bandits, 4-4 Tie

The Idaho Falls Bandits and Dawgs 18U Black played to a 4-4 tie on Friday. 

The Dawgs got things started in the second inning when Kye Seitz hit a 2-run home run. The Dawgs saw the ball well, racking up seven hits in the game. Tyler McWillie and Seitz each collected multiple hits and multiple RBIs to lead the Dawgs offense for the day.

Bryce Libke pitched three innings allowing only 1 earned run on 3 hits while walking one and striking out three.

Noah Geekie pitched two and a third innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits while walking one and striking out five.

Ryan Olchoway and Graham Brunner chipped in out of the bullpen to close out the game.

Game 2 vs BNL Blue, 7-4 Loss

The Dawgs managed to put up three runs late in the game, but it was too little too late, as they would lose to BNL Blue by a final score of 7-4.

Brendan Logan started the game on the hill, pitching three and two-thirds innings, allowing six runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one. Jordan Lussier and Ethan Francis entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one and one-third innings and one inning respectively.

The Dawgs offense managed to tally seven hits in the game with LaRon Smith leading the way with two hits in three at bats. Ayden Makarus, Cesar Valero, Tristan Peters and Kye Seitz also managed to collect one hit apiece.

Game 3 vs T-Rex Easton 17U, 8-3 Win

Despite allowing three runs in the fourth inning, the Dawgs defeated T-Rex Easton 17U by a score of 8-3 on Saturday. #18 and #9 all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Graham Brunner was credited with the victory for the Dawgs in a staff effort. He surrendered zero runs on one hit over three innings, striking out five and walking zero. Tyler McWillie made his first appearance in a game since his elbow surgery and was lights out. McWillie pitched one inning allowing zero runs and zero hits while striking out two. Jackson Fraser, and Branden Woods also made appearances out of the bullpen, steering their team towards the victory.

The Dawgs offense was on point, racking up ten hits in the game. Tristan Peters, Tucker Zdunich, and Ricardo Sanchez all managed multiple hits to lead the offensive charge.

Game 4 vs Scottsdale Huskies, 13-5 Win

In the final game of the tournament, the Dawgs took the lead late in the game in a 13-5 victory over Scottsdale Huskies on Sunday. The game was tied at four with the Dawgs batting in the bottom of the fifth when Tristan Peters homered on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs.

Jayden Wakeham led the late offensive onslaught by driving in four runs. He went 2-for-2 at the plate. Including a grand slam in the fifth inning. As an offensive unit, the Dawgs racked up ten hits in the game. Jayden Wakeham, Tristan Peters and Tucker Zdunich each had multiple hits including two home runs and three triples between the three of them.

Matt Wilkinson started the game for Dawgs 18U Black. He allowed three hits and one run over one and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking one

Branden Woods was the winning pitcher, pitching one inning, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out one. Michael Johnson and Ryan Olchoway entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.