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WILKIE — The celebrations have subsided for the Wilkie Brewers, however the elation at capturing a league championship title on home diamonds remains.

Following the exciting 5-4 victory, SASKTODAY.ca had a chance to catch up with some of the team to hear their thoughts on the experience.

Brewers manager and player Rob Cey said, “Tanner Huber started for us and went five solid innings. Unfortunately, Standard Hill’s starting pitcher, Cooper Olson, was also on his game and kept the Brewers to one run through five.”

Cey said the Brew Crew rallied to score four runs in the sixth aided by key hits from veterans Mike Sittler and Cody Wilgenbush.

“After giving up a lead off double to the Lakers’ Brock Harrison, Cory Wildeman struck out two batters before forcing a final groundout to give the Brewers the 5-4 victory.

This is the first league championship won by Wilkie since the 2016 season. Player of the game for their team was awarded to pitcher Cory Wildeman, who did not allow a single run-in relief of Huber.

Cey adds, “The NSRBL championship caps off another successful year for the Brewers. I think that our guys were hoping to defend our provincial title this year so when that didn’t work out for us, we were that much more motivated to win league. As we have said all year, we feel that the parity in our league is as strong as it ever has been. There were six or seven teams that had a legitimate chance at winning the league title this year, so we are proud to finish on top. Additionally, it was nice to play against Standard Hill in a competitive three-game final. They have a lot of quality ball players on that team, and we seem to be developing a healthy rivalry in league and provincial play over the last few years.

As players and fans were quick to salute pitcher Cory Wildeman for his key role in the championship win, Wildeman responds on the team effort, “We faced one of the top pitchers in the league, our defence was incredible, bats and bounces came our way like they tended to all season. Highlight for me was closing it out in the heart of lineup in the top of seventh.”

Starting pitcher, Tanner Huber, said, “We never felt like we were out of the game. We have had so many late game comebacks this year. This group of guys never quit and always found a way to dig deep. Highlight of the game is getting the last out and celebrating with the guys. Cory came in and shut the door and got a big double play for us.”

Huber will join fellow Brewers Rob Cey, Rick Cey, Mike Sittler and Braden Poleris playing on the NSRBL all-star team participating in senior men’s Western Canadian baseball championships in Saskatoon Aug. 19-21.

“It is something special representing the NSRBL at Westerns and hopefully we can win another championship this weekend.”

The outgoing co-commissioners of Kelvin Colliar and Troy Sack were on hand and presented the championship trophy following the game.

Colliar said, “This was a great matchup of two really good teams. It was an excellent final, well played and very exciting as the top half of the seventh inning with Wilkie holding a 5-4 lead, Standard Hill had two guys on base and were looking like a possible comeback. “

“It was a great way to finish off my term as NSRBL commissioner. I made many connections through ball as a player, as an umpire and as commissioner, and my time in league spans from 1978 to now. This league is in great shape with the calibre of baseball being played. Troy Sack, who I was co-commissioner with, decided after 10 years, we would finish off our terms together,” adds Colliar

Colliar was impressed with the crowds at all three games of the final series, which is also both an indicator of the level of baseball being played as well as helping energize the teams that are competing.

Fans flooded social media with congratulations and pride in their hometown team following the win. They echoed the sentiment that it was the perfect finish to a memorable Brewers season.