Luther named Dawgs' MVP

Catcher Caleb Lumbard (Regina, Sask.) has been named the Okotoks Dawgs 2023 True Grit Award winner. Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

October 9, 2023


After another Western Canadian Baseball League championship-winning season, the Okotoks Dawgs will announce their 2023 award winners this week.

One award winner will be announced each day starting on Monday.

True Grit Award

Catcher - Caleb Lumbard (Regina, Sask.)

In 32 games with the Dawgs this summer, Lumbard hit .252 with a home run and 15 RBIs. He also walked 19 times and posted a strong .394 on-base percentage (OBP). Defensively, he was excellent behind the plate, registering a .997 fielding percentage in 216 innings caught. In total, Lumbard has played parts of five seasons in the WCBL, beginning with his hometown Regina Red Sox in 2018.

Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

Reliever of the Year

Pitcher - Seth Thompson (Calgary, Alta.)

Thompson was a shutdown arm for the Dawgs all summer. In 25 appearances, the Calgary native posted a 1.87 ERA while fanning 29 batters in 24 innings. He also registered two saves. The 2023 season represented the local right-hander’s third with the Dawgs.


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Canadian Player of the Year

1B/3B - Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.)

A Dawgs Academy graduate, Crowson was menace at the plate all season, batting .351 with 46 hits - including three home runs and six doubles - and 22 RBIs in 35 games. The 2023 season represented his third campaign with the Dawgs.

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Rookie of the Year

INF/OF Trent Lenihan (White Rock, B.C.)

Lenihan was a force in the middle of the lineup all summer for the Dawgs. The 6-foot-4 slugger hit .352 with 57 hits - including five home runs - and 23 RBIs in 40 games. He also had 11 doubles, two triples and 17 walks, which helped him post a .969 OPS.

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Pitcher of the Year

LHP Graham Brunner (Sherwood Park, Alta.)

The 6-foot-2 southpaw has been the anchor of the Dawgs’ rotation for several years. In nine starts in 2023, he went 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA, while striking out 42 in 36 2/3 innings. Brunner began pitching for the Dawgs in 2017.

Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

Most Valuable Player

SS Brendan Luther (Mississauga, Ont.)

Luther was a sparkplug at the top of the Dawgs’ lineup in 2023 and played gold glove defence up the middle. In 38 games, he batted .338 with a homer and 28 RBIs. He also had 52 hits and 28 runs. The 2023 campaign was his second with the Dawgs.

SandlotsCBN Staff