Okotoks Dawgs convey again extra expertise with repeat WCBL yr in thoughts

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Aiden Rose does not need to look far to discover a champion amongst his slender circle of baseball buddies.

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So does Graham Brunner.

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As a result of about half of this yr’s Okotoks Dawgs can be returning to the 2022 Western Canadian Baseball League crown.

“I feel that is probably the most returnees within the six years I have been right here,” declared southpaw Brunner, one of many Dogues’ veteran arms. “Principally we’re getting back from final yr. Clearly, final yr went properly, so hopefully we’ll do properly once more.”

The recurring mission begins Friday night time with the Brooks Bombers at Seaman Stadium (7:05pm).

The Dawgs then performed a rematch with the Bombers on the Brooks on Saturday night time (7:05pm) to proceed their 58-game common season schedule earlier than returning house to play on Sunday afternoon (2:05pm) at Seaman in Lethbridge. – Play towards the Bulls.

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The occasion will run till August 5, after which a playoff will decide this yr’s winner.

In fact, the Dawgs hope to earn that honor once more.

“I do not suppose a number of gamers suppose they’ve to hold on previous successes,” stated Rose, a Dogues infielder who has 9 years of mixed academy and collegiate expertise. “I feel in case you simply concentrate on the current and concentrate on the long run, issues will occur as they need to. And it has been good for us prior to now.”

“This yr might be even higher,” stated the gamers, “as a result of we have solely been collectively for a couple of days this yr, however we’re already bonding.”

“It is positively a tight-knit group already,” stated Rose, a Calgarian who rooted for the Dogues and grew up watching his brother Brendan turn out to be a star participant on the membership. “Numerous the gamers know one another as a result of they performed highschool baseball collectively, so it is easy to mesh as a bunch.

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“It is all the time been a dream for many people to play for this staff and it is a number of enjoyable to play in entrance of a crowd right here. So popping out with individuals like that is simple.

“And it is a household ambiance,” Rose continued. “I do know all of the coaches, after all after being right here so lengthy. It has been rather a lot – however everybody’s right here to have a superb time, and while you’re having enjoyable, the whole lot is okay.”

Rose himself hopes to be the offensive chief this summer season.

However once more, he’s not alone on this regard.

The Dawgs additionally boast returning hitters in pitcher Noah Geekie, catcher Caleb Lambert, outfielders Alejandro Cazorla and Micah McDowell, infielders Brendan Luthor, Conor Clawson and Ricardo Sanchez. In the meantime, rookies on the offensive line embrace catchers Conor Stewart and Logan Grant, infielders Dryden Howes, Nash Crowell, Trent Lenihan and Tristan Gomez, and outfielders Caesar Valero, Christian Cooney and Titus.・It’s Dumitru.

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Along with Brunner, who desires to repeat final yr’s sensational 7-0 file as a starter, the pitching employees contains returning pitchers Geeky, Bobby Bass, Brady Baltas, Brody Forno, Cade Harman and Matt Tugboat. , “The ERA could also be low,” Wilkinson. The brand new weapons belong to Greg Ross, Jace Benke, Jace Taylor, Chase Prestwitch and Daniel Hutchison.

“Within the few days we have been right here collectively, I’ve seen a number of actually nice arms,” ​​Rose stated.

The Doges’ chief this yr is Lou Potet, who will exchange Mitch Schmidt, who has taken break day for well being causes, as interim head coach.

“It was a very simple determination for me,” Port stated of Schmidt’s request to play the tug of struggle. “Mitch is a household man. He desires to go away that behind.

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However he will get a number of assist from veteran David Robb, the Dogues’ hitting and bench coach, in addition to Andy Peterson because the membership’s infield coach and Joe Sargent as pitching coach. .

And, after all, Potet can consult with all of the championship pedigree of his gamers into 2022 and even 2019.

“Numerous them are from our academy or we have performed them earlier than,” stated Potet, who can be director of participant growth on the Doges Academy. “Clearly, a number of returning gamers are doing properly within the league, however now we have a number of gamers who’ve had actually good seasons elsewhere and match properly into our core group coming again.

“Bringing again gamers who perceive what the league entails, touring and coming house late, after which profitable a championship right here is invaluable in placing the staff collectively. Many have gained a number of championships, and we attempt to encompass ourselves with individuals who we predict have the identical mentality.”

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