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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.