Okotoks Dawgs came out prepared on opening weekend

So this is what everyone waited so long for … a beautiful sunset at Seaman Stadium. That’s Brandon LeBlanc at the plate and Dryden Howse on the mound. Photo: Jeff Duda Studios.

June 18, 2021

By Tyler Milton

Canadian Baseball Network

As it turned out -- all those lonely sessions hitting off the tee, all those 1-on-1 battles with the pitching machine, all those bullpen sessions in front of maybe four or five sets of eyes and all those ground balls on cold days and hot day -- it was all worth it.

The date June 12 was almost two years in the making for many in the Okotoks Dawgs Academy. After a year in which Baseball Alberta cancelled its 2020 season -- like most provinces who locked the doors to diamonds -- the Alberta government and Baseball Alberta flashed the green light to start league play throughout the province.

Throughout the ever-changing restrictions throughout the pandemic, the Dawgs Academy led by managing founder John Ircandia, coaches Tyler Hollick and Jeff Duda, found creative ways to ensure players could continue training and developing their skills the past 18 months.

From online training, 1-on-1, or small groups the Dawgs Academy and staff put its best foot forward to ensure the best for the players. All of these led to this past weekend for the Dawgs, which saw Okotoks combine for a 13-3 record amongst the four teams in action.

The Dawgs 15U Black and 13U teams swept their weekend opponents. 16U took three of four, and 15U Red split their respective weekends. As an academy, the Dawgs outscored their opponents 182-89 over their 16 games, but who is counting.

The Dawgs 15U Black, coached by former World Series champion Lou Pote and Aaron Ethier, set the pace on weekend. The team outscored opponents 64-4 in their four-game sweep. Offensively, the team was led by Chase Logan and Bodie Bazillion, both hit over .700 in the four games. Logan and Cas Herold both hit home runs, while Herold (with nine) and Ty Gertner (seven) led the team in RBIs.

On the mound, Jack Mitchell led the way allowing one hit and punching out 10 in his four innings of work against the Calgary Redbirds. Gertner and Connor Suba combined for a no-hit effort in the second game of the weekend. The Dawgs pitchers held their opponents to a .132 average, and a 0.70 ERA over the four-game set against the Redbirds.

Dawgs 13U started a four-game series against the Calgary Cardinals. Coached by Kevin Tanaka and your correspondent, the team set out to get their season started on the right foot. After a tight 4-3 win in Game 1, the Dawgs bounced back with a decisive 13-5 win in the second game of the weekend. On Sunday, the Dawgs offensive dictated the play scoring 31 runs in the two games, winning 19-6 and 12-3. The Cardinals saw 12 different arms over the weekend, led by Grady Suba, Ray Han, Taye Thierman and Tyson Dyck who all threw three innings each over the weekend. The quartet gave up a combined three hits over their 12 innings and striking out 25 Cardinals. Offensively, Colton Ullyett-French (.833) and Evan Matthews (.714) led the charge as the Dawgs hit .440 on the weekend.

The Dawgs 16U team started on the road in Calgary against the Calgary Bucks Black and Calgary Cubs. Coach Kirklon White, along with pitching coach Kurtis Taylor and assistant coach Craig Spencer led their team to a sweep against the Cubs and a split against the Bucks.

On the mound, Leo Griffin got the opening day start. Griffin, son of Marc Griffin, former Los Angeles Dodger and Montreal Expo farmhand, threw four strong innings striking out four. Landon Knight followed Griffin, continuing the strong effort on the bump, striking out five in his three innings of work.

Offensively, Dawson Bacon and Carter Spinks sparked the offense, both hitting over .500 on the weekend, collecting three hits apiece.

Last but not least, Dawgs 15U Red traveled to Calgary to face on the Cardinals. Scott Smith and 1984 former Olympian Doug McPhail coached the Dawgs split their weekend set. Kingston Besuijen, Kaden Johnson and Jordan Hurst set the tone on the bump. Johnson threw four innings, giving up one run. Hurst came out of the pen, shutting the door over three scoreless. Besuijen tossed a gem, striking out 10 allowing five hits in his six innings. Ashton Crowe and Matt Diebert led the offense collecting multiple hits respectively as well as driving in four.

This weekend the Dawgs are home in Okotoks at Tourmaline Field and Conrad Field. The 16Us host Red Deer, while 15U Red hosts the Calgary Bucks Yellow in a doubleheader both Saturday and Sunday.