Betts: Berries break out the bats in home opener win

The Saskatchewan Berries defeated the Regina Red Sox 9-3 in their home opener on Saturday. Photo: Saskatoon Berries

May 31, 2025

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

A capacity crowd turned out on a sunny Saturday at Cairns Field to watch the Saskatoon Berries win their home opener.

The Berries’ offence put up nine runs, including three in the third inning and three in the eighth, to secure a 9-3 victory over the Regina Red Sox.

Starter Matt Whitney allowed three unearned runs over 6 2/3 innings of work to pick up the win in his first start of the season. He allowed six hits and struck out four.

Whitney credited being aggressive for his success.

“Just being able to get ahead of guys, that was the big thing was being able to establish the strike zone early with whatever it was, fastball, changeup, curveball,” Whitney said.

“Starting with strike one and then being able to go and freely attack their hitters. Try to challenge every hitter.”

Clay Mixon and Zac Laird (Langley, BC) combined for 2 1/3 scoreless inning of relief to close the game out.

Offensively for Saskatoon, it was Cory Wouters (Saskatoon, Sask.) leading the way, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. Jalen Freeman and Cooper Wesslund chipped in a pair of hits, while Nathan Houston (Melville, Sask.), Ethan Murdoch (Swift Current, Sask.) and Bailyn Sorenson had one apiece.

Brady Bye (Regina, Sask.) had a hit for the Red Sox.

With an announced crowd of 2,180, Whitney was happy to be able to put on a good performance for what’s been a passionate fan base since the franchise came into existence last season.

“This is awesome,” he said.

“The city here is awesome, they’ve embraced this team, they’ve embraced me really well. I’m still unknown a little bit to Saskatoon but I’m certain if I keep doing what I did today that’s going to change.”

With the win, the Berries improved to 2-1 on the season. The loss was Regina’s first of the campaign, dropping their record to 2-1.

Saskatoon returns to action on Monday at home against the Swift Current 57’s.