NORTH BATTLEFORD — The first league championship home win for the North Battleford senior men’s Beavers baseball team was in 1997, so when the last out was made in game three of the North Saskatchewan Baseball League final, it was a two-fold celebration.
The championship win made for a repeat title and, even bigger, the win at home made it the first time in 27 years the Beavers captured the title at home.
The North Battleford Beavers and Standard Hill Lakers may have been disappointed with their run for a provincial title, but it only fueled their desire to capture a NSRBL championship title.
As reigning as league champs, the Beavers were hungry to repeat the top title. It was a goal from the start of the season.
“It was an exciting series. Game one we won 7-2 but the Standard Hill Lakers took the win in game two by a score of 10-9,” Kyle Gregoire of the Beavers said.
“Game three, we started a little slow with the Lakers leading 3-0 after the first two innings.”
Gregoire said the Beavers bats started going, resulting in a few big innings that resulted in an 11-5 victory.
“Jared Schmidt was a stand out for us, throwing two complete games this series, only giving up five earned runs in 14 innings of pitching,” acknowledges Gregorie.
One of the team’s leaders, Gregorie adds, “We felt we had the right team to repeat with great pitching, defence and offence. Glad all the hard work paid off. And, it was extra special winning in front of the home crowd.”
The Beavers acknowledged their opposition in the hard-fought final series stating that the Standard Hill Lakers have a great team and never made for an easy game.
This concludes a successful baseball season in the Battlefords as in addition to the NSRBL championship win, three minor baseball teams from the Battlefords captured provincial championships, as outlined in previous News Optimist and SASKTODAY.ca stories, as well as one silver medal at provincial championships. Baseball enthusiasts and Battlefords Beavers fans say this indicates many years of great baseball in the community for years to come.
As well, home town hero and Beavers’ alumnus, Andrew Albers, was recently inducted into the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame
