East downs West 13-6 in WCBL All-Star Game

The East Division All-Stars defeated their rivals from the West 13-6 in the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game in front of 6,064 fans at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta., on Saturday. Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

July 21, 2024

By Oakley Matthewson

Okotoks Dawgs

Okotoks, Alta. - The East Division All-Stars defeated their rivals from the West 13-6 in the Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game on Saturday night in front of 6,064 fans at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta.

The game was dominated by the East Division’s hitters.

Saskatoon Berries slugger Carter Beck (Carnduff, SK) led the way for the East, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs to earn the game’s MVP honours.

Medicine Hat Mavericks outfielder Jordan Phillips (William Jewell College) crushed the game’s only home run when he went deep in the sixth.

For the West Division, multiple Dawgs players had standout performances, starting with Tucker Zdunich (High River, Alta.) who had an RBI single in the first inning. Dawgs’ Connor Crowson (Okotoks, AB) started at first base and went 2-for-2.

On the mound, Weyburn Beavers right-hander Ian Heck (York University) started for the East and allowed one hit and one run in his single inning of work. Regina Red Sox righty Daniel Crabtree (Point University), Swift Current 57’s right-hander Jaylen Gutierrez (Wabash Valley CC), Medicine Hat Mavericks left-hander Josh Landry (Hope International) and his 57’s teammate Klevert Martina (Mid-American Christian University) all tossed scoreless innings in relief for the East.

Meanwhile, the Dawgs' own Graham Brunner (Sherwood Park, Alta.) got the starting nod for the West. He permitted one run on two hits in the first inning. Edmonton Prospects right-hander Brandon Russell (Brewton-Parker College), Fort McMurray Giants righty Rob Schmidt (University of Science & Arts Oklahoma), and Dawgs star Garrett Maloney (Campbellsville University) would toss scoreless innings as they attempted to slow the East Division’s offence down.

The night was capped off with a fireworks display.

The Okotoks Dawgs return to action at Seaman Stadium on Sunday to take on the Fort McMurray Giants in a make-up game from a rainout that occurred Father’s Day weekend.