SASKATOON — Devyn McLean, who was part of the U19 Panthers who captured a provincial gold medal and bronze at Western Canadian Championships has now extended her season after earning a spot on the University of Saskatchewan softball team.
McLean joins other UMB alumni, Kelsey Wildeman, Shelby Solomko and Marina Gampe, who have suited up for the university’s women’s softball team.
Mclean was unable to attend the spring ID camp for the university team and once she saw there were a few spots left on the roster, she decided to attend walk on tryouts in August.
“After the second tryout, they told me to go wait with the team, saying that I was now a part of it. I was excited,” says McLean.
Mclean adds, “The first weekend of competition brought on some nerves as I knew this was not the same group of girls I had always played with. But I soon discovered it is a talented group and I became more comfortable.”
Opening season action for the U of S women was in Regina Aug. 27-28 where they teams earned three wins, one tie and one loss. Mclean had a chance to play both infield as well as serve as back catcher.
“I am looking forward to a great season with a great group of ladies and coaching staff.”
Mclean joins 19 other University of Saskatchewan students who will both attend classes as well as compete for the U of S women’s softball team. The team is coached by Stacey Danserau Thomson, assisted by Kailey Strouts, Karmen Twordik and Sarah Kostuk.
Retired reporter for the Press-Herald, Kathy Heilman, will be cheering for the green team as her granddaughter, Georgia Heilman, has also secured a spot on the roster.
The schedule for the Western Collegiate Softball Association takes the U of S women’s team to Calgary on September long weekend, followed by hosting Sept. 9-11 at Bob Van Impe and Joe Gallagher field in Saskatoon. Sept. 16-18 the team will head to Lethbridge to compete. Saskatoon will be the location for the last competition before playoffs Sept. 23-25 and WCSA playoffs take place in Calgary Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The team will not advance to Nationals (CCSA) in 2022 but are looking to earn a spot for 2023.
This successful university softball team have been national champions in 2008, 2010 and 2016 while earning bronze in 2012 and silver in 2017. The team has been WCSA champions four consecutive years from 2010-2013 and 2016 while earning bronze in 2014 and silver in 2015 and 2018.
You can follow the U of S women’s softball team on the league’s website at
You can also follow the team’s latest updates and news on their Facebook page at
