Dawgs Baseball WMBL Home Okotoks Club

Story by Tyler Milton

This past weekend saw teams from across the prairies travel to Okotoks for the 13U Okotoks Dawgs Invitational. Eight teams rounded up the tournament, with many of Alberta’s top teams from the 13U circuit participating in the tournament. Teams in attendance this year included the Calgary Cardinals, Calgary Bucks, Cochrane Crush, Going Yard Goats (Saskatoon), Parkland Twins, Red Deer Braves, Sherwood Park A’s and the host Okotoks Dawgs. 

The Dawgs got off to a hot start on Friday morning, seeing the Calgary Cardinals in their first game of pool play. Alex Machej took to the mound to get the Dawgs rolling. Machej threw three innings, striking out four, while allowing one run on one hit. Mason Fenton continued the strong effort on the mound throwing two innings, punching out two hitters while not allowing a hit. Offensively, the Dawgs were hot, Taye Thierman started the game with a bang with a homerun to right field in the first inning. Both Ray Han and Cody Schuck would join the fireworks by hitting home runs of their own in the third inning. Han would tally seven RBIs in the game with a three-hit effort. The offensive barrage led to a 20-1 final score for the Dawgs. 

Next up was the Red Deer Braves. The Braves came into the tournament as one of the top teams in the North Division in Baseball Alberta. As the visitor, the Dawgs got off to a hot start plating 15 runs in the first two innings. Machej led the offense, driving in six runs in his three at bats, including a triple. Taye Thierman and Giacobbe De Castro also tallied extra base hits in the 15-hit effort by the Dawgs offence. Ray Han and Colton Ullyett-French combined to throw a no-hitter on the mound. The duo punched out nine braves on route to a 18-1 victory over the Braves. 

Saturday morning saw two 2-0 teams face off from Pool A, as the Dawgs took on the Sherwood Park A’s. The winner of this game received home field advantage for the semi-final game the following day. Evan Matthews got the ball for the Dawgs and was masterful over his three innings of work, allowing one run on three hits while punching out three A’s hitters. Giacobbe De Castro came on in relief and continued to fill up the zone against the A’s offense. Ray Han, Taye Thierman and Avery Johnson led the offense, all collecting multiple hits in the 16-6 victory over the A’s. 

Saturday night allowed for all of the teams in the tournament to take in the WCBL game at Seaman Stadium. All of the players enjoyed their evening at the game, as for some, this was their first WCBL experience. 

“Having the summer collegiate league in town certainly allows for a unique experience to our tournament that leaves players with lasting memories of their time playing in Okotoks. Wherever they are from, it’s always special watching a WCBL game here at Seaman Stadium.” 13U Head Coach Tyler Milton said. 

After Saturday four teams remained; Going Yard Baseball, Parkland Twins, Sherwood Park A’s and the host Okotoks Dawgs. Going Yard and the Parkland Twins squared off, seeing the Goats from Saskatoon no-hit the Twins, winning 10-0. In the other semi-final, a rematch of Saturday mornings affair between Sherwood Park and Okotoks. 

Avery Johnson would get the ball for the Dawgs. Johnson would set the tone for the Dawgs punching out six over his 3.1 innings of work. Will Lapohn would come on in relief to get the Dawgs out of a jam in the fourth inning. Lapohn threw 1.2 allowing two hits but also sending two A’s back to the dugout with K’s next to their name. Ultimately Lapohn would bridge the gap until Taye Theirman came in for the top of the 6^th inning. Theirman was electric, striking out six A’s hitters to secure the win for the Dawgs. Offensively Grady Suba, Cody Schuck, Alex Machej and Ray Han would each collect two hits, with Machej and Han also collecting hits of the extra base variety. Dawgs would win this one 7-4, leading to a showdown of undefeated teams for the final. 

Heading into the final, the Going Yard Goats offence had put up 78 runs in their four games. To counter the Goats strong offence, the Dawgs countered with their ace, Grady Suba. Suba did what every ace is expected to do, be dominant and that he was. Over his five innings of work, Suba would punch out seven, while only allowing two runs to score (one earned) as he left in line for the win after a strong outing. Ray Han would come in to shut the door for the Dawgs. Han punched out three over his two innings. Tyson Dyck, Taye Thierman and Ray Han all collected extra base hits in the game. Giacobbe De Castro would pick up multiple hits in the game as well. Will Lapohn provided insurance in the seventh inning, driving in Han to give the Dawgs a three-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Dawgs would end up victorious and capture the 13U Okotoks Dawgs Invitational championship with a 5-2 victory.

Exciting Times to be a Dawg Press Release

The last month has been very exciting for the Okotoks Dawgs! The province of Alberta has managed to curb COVID-19 and fully reopen with little-to-no restrictions, the WCBL season is well underway featuring two Dawgs teams, Okotoks Dawgs Black and Okotoks Dawgs Red and the cherry on top of it all… the Dawgs have current academy athletes and alumni making waves in the amateur and professional baseball ranks.

Former standout Dawgs pitcher, Andrew Kittredge, was named to the 2021 American League All-star game roster. Alejo Lopez, former Dawgs Academy and WCBL standout middle infielder, made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cincinnati Reds. Tristan Peters, a Dawgs Academy product, 2019 WCBL Rookie of the Year and 2019 WCBL Playoff MVP, was selected 207th overall in the 7th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Andrew Kittredge, a WCBL All-star and now MLB All-star, has been lights out for the Tampa Bay Rays. In 32 games pitched including 4 starts, Kitt is now 6-1 on the year with 1.47 ERA; accumulating 43 innings pitched, 43 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.86 WHIP.

Alejo Lopez, former standout Dawgs Academy and WCBL middle infielder, was called up to the Cincinnati Reds on June 28th, 2021. Since being called up to the show, Lopez is batting .313 in 16 AB’s while scoring 3 runs with the Reds.

Tristan Peters, Dawgs Academy graduate, WCBL Rookie of the Year and WCBL Playoff MVP, was selected in the 7th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers after an outstanding year with the Southern Illinois University Salukis. Peters swung the bat well for the Salukis all season slashing .355/.548/1.011 while collecting 77 hits- 20 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 55 RBI’s.

Furthermore, the Okotoks Dawgs Academy has managed to place 20 different athletes since the Fall of 2020 for an opportunity to play college baseball, including 13 different athletes at the NCAA Division 1 level. Amongst the 20 different athletes placed at colleges across North America, players have netted over $1.8 million in athletic scholarships. Simply unprecedented. Schools that Dawgs have committed to include but are not limited to- University of Tennessee, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Washington, Washington State University, Stetson University, and Cal State University Bakersfield.

Dawgs athletes, both past and present, having success at the next level is something everyone in the Dawgs organization, our fans and our community takes pride in!

Go Dawgs! Go Okotoks!

Congratulations to Dawgs Academy graduate and Dawgs WCBL standout, Tristan Peters, on being selected in the 7th round (207th pick overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Peters absolutely dominated during his junior and senior years of high school for the Dawgs Academy, and again for the Dawgs in the WCBL during the summer of 2019 when they won the WCBL championship for the first time since 2009. 

Congratulations, Tristan! The Dawgs are incredibly proud to call you one of their own, and could not be more happy for you to earn this opportunity!

Go Tristan! Go Dawgs! Go Brewers!

Former standout Dawgs Academy and Dawgs WCBL middle infielder, Alejo Lopez, is making a strong case for himself to get the call up to the Cincinnati Reds.

Lopez, a native of Mexico City, Mexico, has been on a mission all season long. After starting the year in Chattanooga, AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Lopez made his presence known splitting .362/.437/.885 with 9 doubles, 13 RBI’s and 5 stolen bases in 105 at-bats. It only took 25 games for Lopez to get the promotion to the Louisville Bats, the AAA affiliate of the Reds.

Lopez’s numbers were impressive in Chattanooga, and they are even more impressive with the Bats. In 19 games, he is splitting .375/.465/1.048 with 9 doubles, 2 home runs, 14 RBI’s and 2 stolen bases in just 72 at-bats.

Bottom line, Lopez is knocking on the door of the Cincinnati Reds… LOUDLY!

Keep it up, Alejo! The Dawgs family is watching and rooting for you to get THE CALL!

Check out the article below for a more in-depth look at Lopez’s journey so far this 2021 season.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/06/21/cincinnati-reds-prospect-alejo-lopez-dominating-minor-leagues/7769704002/?fbclid=IwAR3Qeis7ZSxE1vBGFBXR5cALEZsgcIzu9ZtYaXdasnGK88XHzc0rmF2hdoM

The Okotoks Dawgs are pleased to announce the 2021 Opening Weekend at Seaman Stadium!

On Saturday, June 19th, the Dawgs Black will be taking on the Edmonton Prospects at 7:05pm. The Dawgs Red will be taking on the Lethbridge Bulls on Sunday, June 20th, at 2:05pm.

Details on ticket sales will follow shortly. Season ticket holders will have priority booking for all Dawgs home games.

GO DAWGS!

May 27, 2021  

OKOTOKS, AB- Dawgs & WCBL Set to Return to Action June 18th 

With the recent announcement from Alberta’s Premier Jason Kenney, the Okotoks Dawgs are excited to  announce their return to play in the 2021 season of the Western Canadian Baseball League, Canada’s premier  summer collegiate league, commencing on Friday, June 18th. With the province’s 3-Stage Plan for reopening,  the Dawgs could welcome full capacity crowds at Seaman Stadium as soon as early July. 

Earlier this year, the WCBL announced plans to offer players and fans a modified WCBL season with participating  teams including the Lethbridge Bulls, Sylvan Lake Gulls, Edmonton Prospects and Okotoks Dawgs; with the  Dawgs fielding two teams, Dawgs Black and Dawgs Red. Due to border closures and quarantine requirements, all  players in the 2021 season will be Canadian.  

The home opener for the Dawgs Black squad will be 7:05 PM on Saturday, June 19th at Seaman Stadium against  the rival Edmonton Prospects. The Dawgs Red will host the Lethbridge Bulls at 2:05 PM on Sunday, June 20th also  at Seaman Stadium. 

The Dawgs with a youth academy widely considered the premier high school aged program in Canada and  ranked 3rd in North America by US scouting service, Perfect Game, will base their 2 clubs on its premier Academy  teams supplemented by standout Dawgs graduates returning from US colleges. The Dawgs rosters will include current Academy players with scholarship commitments from such prestigious US college programs as the  University of Tennessee, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Washington State University, University  of Washington and Stetson University in Florida. 

The top returning players include LHP Graham Brunner (Illinois State University), LHP Matt Wilkinson (Central  Arizona), RHPs Ethan Francis and Ryan Olchoway (Northwestern State University, Louisiana), RHP Brendan  Logan, LHP Branden Woods and infielder Aidan Rose (UBC), OF Tucker Zdunich (Colby CC, Kansas), OF/LHP Noah  Geekie (Emporia State, Kansas) and local product Kye Seitz (Bellevue, WA).  

Dawgs fans will also see some familiar faces on the coaching staff this summer. Coaching guru, David Robb (Mesa, AZ) and Pitching Coach Joe Sergent (Florida Marlins org.) will be back in the dugout along with Academy  Coaches and former professional and WCBL standouts, Tyler Hollick (Chandler Gilbert, AZ, SF Giants org.) and  Jeff Duda (Lewis Clark State, ID, Quebec City, CANAM). Val Helldobler (Tiffin, OH) and former WCBL All-star, Bretton  Gouthro (Mt. Olive, NC), round out the coaching staff. While the Dawgs will miss Head Coach, Mitch Schmidt  (Bellevue, NB), returning in 2022, Dawgs are awaiting word regarding a border exemption allowing the return of  Coach Andy Peterson (Oregon State, Seattle Mariners org.). 

“Given the circumstances of the pandemic, we anticipated a unique 2021 season. But we are particularly excited  and think fans will really enjoy the opportunity to see not only our returning Dawgs grads but the outstanding  Academy players we are developing right here in Okotoks. We will be young but there will be a lot of talent on  display and I am confident both Dawgs teams will be highly competitive”, said Academy Head Coach, Jeff Duda.  

With opening day just 3 weeks away, a revised 2021 WCBL schedule and information on ticket sales for the 2021  WCBL season will be released in the next few days. Stay tuned to the Dawgs website and social media platforms  or contact the Dawgs Offices at 403.262.3294 for further information.  

Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

PLEASE NOTE: The latest information about the Dawgs is available at:  

Website: www.dawgsbaseball.ca & www.dawgsacademy.ca 

Facebook: Okotoks Dawgs Baseball & Dawgs Baseball Academy  Instagram: @okotoksdawgs & @okotoksdawgsacademy  

Twitter: @Okotoks_Dawgs & @DawgsAcademy  

PHONE: 403.262.3294 

PLEASE NOTE: The latest information about the WCBL is available at:  

Website: http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/ 

Contact: Kevin Kvame, WCBL President; PH: 403.320.2025 (101); Cell: 403. 315.4064

You can read the WCBL’s press release at the following link:

http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-league-ramping-up-plans-for-all-canadian-season/

GOOD NEWS Dawgs fans! 2021 WCBL SEASON “A GO”!!!!

Despite the challenges associated with Covid-19, Canada’s premier summer collegiate league, the Western Canadian Baseball League, announced plans to operate this summer and offer collegiate players baseball in 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the WCBL had been in continuous operation for 80 years, an unheard of track record of success.

Given the closure of the border and health and government restrictions, the league’s franchises for the 2021 season only, anticipate going “All Canadian”. As much as that is regrettable, it is the unavoidable result of the ongoing pandemic; AND on the upside it will provide unique opportunities to the most outstanding Canadian college players whether playing at colleges in the US or in Canada.

The WCBL anticipates an extremely competitive league in 2021 with participating franchises currently including the Edmonton Prospects, the Lethbridge Bulls, the defending champion Okotoks Dawgs fielding 2 teams and the WCBL’s newest franchise, the Sylvan Lake Gulls. Other franchises may join in the next month.

It is anticipated that fan attendance this summer may be limited although the Dawgs and WCBL continue to be in regular discussions with the health and government authorities in that regard. 

STAY TUNED for further details regarding season tickets, game day tickets and a new 2021 WCBL Schedule. 

See link below to the official WCBL Press Release.
http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-leagues-2021-season-to-proceed/

Go Alberta! Go WCBL! Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,

John Ircandia
Managing Director
Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

GOOD NEWS Dawgs fans! 2021 WCBL SEASON “A GO”!!!!

Despite the challenges associated with Covid-19, Canada’s premier summer collegiate league, the Western Canadian Baseball League, announced plans to operate this summer and offer collegiate players baseball in 2021. Prior to the pandemic, the WCBL had been in continuous operation for 80 years, an unheard of track record of success.

Given the closure of the border and health and government restrictions, the league’s franchises for the 2021 season only, anticipate going “All Canadian”. As much as that is regrettable, it is the unavoidable result of the ongoing pandemic; AND on the upside it will provide unique opportunities to the most outstanding Canadian college players whether playing at colleges in the US or in Canada.

The WCBL anticipates an extremely competitive league in 2021 with participating franchises currently including the Edmonton Prospects, the Lethbridge Bulls, the defending champion Okotoks Dawgs fielding 2 teams and the WCBL’s newest franchise, the Sylvan Lake Gulls. Other franchises may join in the next month.

It is anticipated that fan attendance this summer may be limited although the Dawgs and WCBL continue to be in regular discussions with the health and government authorities in that regard. 

STAY TUNED for further details regarding season tickets, game day tickets and a new 2021 WCBL Schedule. 

See link below to the official WCBL Press Release.
http://westerncanadianbaseballleague.ca/news/western-canadian-baseball-leagues-2021-season-to-proceed/

Go Alberta! Go WCBL! Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,

John Ircandia
Managing Director
Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club

The Okotoks Dawgs Academy is pleased to announce that Kirklon White is back for his third year of coaching in the program and has been hired as the Dawgs 16U Head Coach.

White played three years in the Dawgs Academy before graduating and moving on to the next level where he played two years at Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta. After his first year of college ball, White returned to the Dawgs Academy as an assistant coach for the Dawgs 15U Red team, and again the following summer as the Dawgs 16U assistant coach.

Dawgs General Manager, Tyler Hollick, had this to say about the hiring of Kirklon White:

“We are thrilled that the Academy has hired one of our own in Kirklon. When alumni want to give back to the program, it’s a sign of the strength and the impact the Dawgs had on that individual. Now that Kirklon has finished his playing career, he wants to help young and aspiring athletes to earn the opportunity he earned after his three years in the Academy. Kirklon always played the game the right way and is the epitome of a Dawg. We couldn’t be more excited to have him leading our 16U program.”

Welcome back, Kirklon!