Dawgs' 2018 schedule, returning players, coaching staff

The Okotoks Dawgs unveiled some of the key games in their 2018 WMBL schedule on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Okotoks Dawgs

December 20, 2017

By Dustin Saracini

Okotoks, AB - The 2018 WMBL schedule has been announced, and there are a few games to note for your 2017 regular-season champions, the Okotoks Dawgs:

Season opener

The season kicks off with a revenge game against the Edmonton Prospects. Okotoks won five of eight contests against the Prospects a season ago before dropping an absolute battle of a series against them in the opening round of the WMBL playoffs. It’s a game to mark in your schedule as the season approaches, first pitch flies June 1.

Home opener

Welcome back, baseball! Seaman Stadium opens its gates for the 2018 schedule on June 2 as the Dawgs take on the Medicine Hat Mavericks to renew their rivalry. Okotoks was 5-3 against the Mavericks a year ago, and were 19-5 overall playing in front of the home crowd.

Father’s Day game

For the second straight year, the Dawgs will take on the Brooks Bombers in the highly anticipated Father’s Day matinee. Okotoks swept all six games against Brooks a year ago, and look for the same on-field success in 2018. The Man Van will be outside once again as Seaman Stadium looks for another sellout Jun. 17.

Canada Day game

Baseball, pregame festivities, cold drinks, postgame fireworks, what else do you really need on Canada Day? Okotoks hosts one of the WMBLs finest in the Regina Red Sox July 1 for a Canada Day showdown. A season ago, the Red Sox boasted a 29-19 record, good for third in the Eastern Division, while the Dawgs were a league-best 35-13.

Coaching staff/returning players

The 2018 Dawgs will have the core of their coaching staff return for the upcoming season. Newly acquired and highly successful head coach Mitch Schmidt from Bellevue University will take over the reins for Okotoks behind the bench while longtime coach Dave Robb, assistant and infield coach Andy Peterson, and pitching coach Joe Sergent will be back for another year of Dawgs baseball. In between the white lines, Dawgs fans will enjoy another summer of 2017 WMBL MVP Kody Funderburk, who broke several WMBL and Dawgs records with his power numbers. With him is WMBL Rookie of the Year and 2017 standout Matt Lloyd, All-Star Eddie Sanchez, hometown talent Justin King, and anchor in the bullpen Corey Jackson.

Around the organization

The Dawgs Academy is proud to announce a pair of commitments/letters of intent. Brendan Logan has signed a letter of intent to play for Canada’s premier baseball school, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Noah Penney has committed to play baseball at Tiffin University in Ohio.