It was the culmination of the Western Canadian Baseball League season and it did not disappoint.
After sweeping past the Regina Red Sox in the opening round of the WCBL postseason, the Medicine Hat Mavericks upset the top team in the East Division – the Moose Jaw Miller Express – in their best-of-three series.
The Okotoks Dawgs, meanwhile, needed just four games to dispatch of the Fort McMurray Giants and the Sylvan Lake Gulls in the playoffs.
That set up a Dawgs-Mavs WCBL Championship Final that got underway on Aug. 15th at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks. The Dawgs went to work quickly and claimed an 8-0 win in front of their home fans in Game 1. The Mavericks then responded with a 12-9 triumph at Athletic Park, before Okotoks put the finishing touches on back-to-back championships with a 13-5 victory in front of a record crowd.
Here’s a look at some of the scenes from that final series:
GAME ONE
Kevin Mitchell, head coach of the Medicine Hat Mavericks, shakes hands with the umpiring crew, as Dawgs interim manager Lou Pote approaches with his lineup card for Game 1 of the WCBL Championship Series … photo by Ian WilsonMavs players survey the opposing Okotoks Dawgs ahead of the series opener … photo by Ian WilsonCatcher Caleb Lumbard (left) shakes hands with Stanley Cup-winning goalie Adin Hill (right) after the Vegas Golden Knights star threw out the ceremonial first pitch … photo by Ian WilsonShortstop Brendan Luther prepares for a pitch from Matthew Krall in the first inning. The leadoff hitter for the Dawgs went yard in his first at bat of the series … photo by Ian WilsonAndrew Savage shares a smile with Mavs teammates in the visitor dugout … photo by Ian Wilson
The view from Kore 4 Corner of Seaman Stadium. More than 5,800 fans showed up for Game 1 of the series … photo by Ian WilsonLefty Garrett Nicholson took over pitching duties for the Mavericks after Krall gave up four earned runs in the first three innings. The Nova Scotian was tagged for another four earned runs over four innings of mound work … photo by Ian WilsonGraham Brunner (right) gets hugs from his teammates after going 6.2 innings, striking out eight batters and giving up no runs. The southpaw from Sherwood Park went 2-0 over the playoffs and did not allow a run in either of his starts … photo by Ian Wilson
GAME TWO
The action shifted to Athletic Park in Medicine Hat for Game 2 of the series … photo by Eli MerrickThe Mavericks scored early and often in the second game, putting up a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Outfielder Ryan Dousett is seen here scoring one of his two runs in the game … photo courtesy Medicine Hat MavericksCatcher Dominic VanDoorne smacked a two-run bomb in the bottom of the third inning to restore the four-run lead for the Mavericks and put them up 6-2 … photo courtesy Medicine Hat MavericksWith the help of four errors by the Dawgs, the Mavs put up 12 runs in Game 2. It was the most runs Okotoks had surrendered all season, prompting high fives all around the Medicine Hat dugout … photo courtesy Medicine Hat MavericksA total of 2,196 fans came out to cheer on the Mavs, who won 12-9 to force a Game 3 … photo by Eli MerrickThe Dawgs attempted a late comeback by scoring seven runs in the final three innings, including five in the ninth, but Medicine Hat held court … photo by Eli MerrickIt was hats off to the fans of the Mavericks after a home victory to tie the series … photo courtesy Medicine Hat Mavericks
GAME THREE
Outfielder Eric Hartman looks over the diamond at Seaman Stadium ahead of a winner-take-all Game 3. The Dawgs Academy product only played four WCBL regular season games and didn’t see action again until the championship series. In three games and eight at bats against the Mavericks, the lefty slugger registered three hits – including a double and a Game 2 home run – and recorded five RBI and three runs scored … photo by Ian WilsonRyan McFarland (left) and Connor Crowson (right) play some pregame pepper. McFarland took the loss in Game 2, while Crowson played in all seven postseason games for the Dawgs and batted .393 with five runs and three RBI … photo by Ian WilsonPitchers with the Mavericks walk from the visitor clubhouse to the dugout before Game 3 … photo by Ian WilsonMavs skipper Kevin Mitchell (arms folded) and his players watch the Okotoks Dawgs starters being introduced. “There aren’t words to describe all that I experienced and was able to take from this summer, it was a magical ride, it really was,” Mitchell told the Medicine Hat News following the playoffs … photo by Ian WilsonFirst baseman Trent Lenihan is introduced to the home fans. The British Columbia product batted .406 with nine runs and seven RBI in seven postseason contests for the Dawgs … photo by Ian WilsonThe umpiring crew listens to the national anthem at home plate … photo by Ian WilsonThe bat boy for the Dawgs retrieves a foul ball and returns it to the home dugout … photo by Ian WilsonAdam Golby started Game 3 for the Mavs. The lefty allowed four earned runs in 2.2 innings before Bryce Libke took over and allowed another pair of earned runs in 2.1 innings … photo by Ian WilsonGreg Morrison adjusts the lineup card after the Mavs fell behind 5-0 through the first five innings. The Mavs owner joined the coaching staff midseason following the departure of head coach Mark Goodman, who left for a professional opportunity in the Pioneer League. Morrison described the 2023 campaign as a special season for Medicine Hat … photo by Ian WilsonDylan Esquival was excellent in the second game of the series in Medicine Hat. The Californian worked 7.2 innings, racked up nine Ks and allowed three earned runs in recording the win. Over the course of the playoffs, Esquival went 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 19 innings. After helping push the series to the limit, the 6-foot-3 lefty could only watch Game 3 unfold from the dugout of Seaman Stadium … photo by Ian WilsonThe Mavericks huddle up following a pep talk from skipper Kevin Mitchell. Medicine Hat responded with a five-run sixth inning that tied the game … photo by Ian WilsonOutfielder Logan Grant (left) delivered a clutch triple in the bottom of the sixth that scored a pair of runs that gave the Dawgs a lead they would not relinquish … photo by Ian WilsonBrock Townsend, the starting pitcher for the Dawgs, applauds as Okotoks adds to their lead late in the game. The Eugene, Oregon native logged 5.1 innings and gave up four runs, but only one was earned … photo by Ian WilsonAfter right fielder Eric Hartman recorded the final out of the game on a Brody Gardner fly ball, the Dawgs secured a 13-5 win and back-to-back WCBL championships. Gavin Wuschke was the winning pitcher in relief for Okotoks and Seth Thompson came in to finish the ninth. Catcher Caleb Lumbard was among the players to end up on the bottom of the celebratory dog pile … photo by Ian WilsonPlayers and coaches shake hands as the Dawgs prepare to celebrate with the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy … photo by Ian WilsonBrendan Luther salutes the Seaman Stadium fans after being named the WCBL Playoff MVP for a second straight postseason. The Mississauga native hit .344 with 10 RBI and three clutch homers during the postseason, in addition to playing sound defence at shortstop … photo by Ian WilsonThe Okotoks Dawgs take a team photo with the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy … photo by Joe McFarland
