Betts: Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep proving they belong at Road to Okotoks

In just their second year of existence, the Sylvan Lake Gull Prep team not only qualified for the inaugural Baseball Canada Road to Okotoks national championship tournament, they have advanced to the quarter finals with a 3-1 win over the Ontario Terriers on Saturday afternoon. Photo: GamedaybyAddi/Sylvan Lake Gulls 19U Prep/Instagram

July 18, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Sylvan Lake Gulls Prep wanted to put themselves in the conversation with the top programs in the country.

And they’ve done it.

In just their second year of existence, the team not only qualified for the inaugural Baseball Canada Road to Okotoks national championship tournament, they have advanced to the quarter finals with a 3-1 win over the Ontario Terriers on Saturday afternoon.

But, that’s not a surprise to head coach Josh Zanolli.

“The program itself is in good shape,” Zanolli said. “It shows where our program is at compared to where we think everyone else is at. We really like the group we have from where we started to now. The players see we’re not as far away as we think we are. We beat some good teams.”

The Gulls program runs in partnership with St. Joseph’s High School Baseball Academy in Red Deer. Many of the players attend the school throughout the academic year before suiting up for the prep team in the summer.

The majority of the roster resides in central Alberta, with a few players set up with billets.

“The school’s helped,” Zanolli said. “The summer’s been fun. The kids have been all in. I think this is what most of these kids who are looking to play at the next level are looking for now. It’s pretty evident being here this week, the level of play has gone up in the last five or six years.”

Infielder Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.), a Southwest Tennessee Community College commit, has been with the program since its inception and is taking pride in forging the path for future players to follow.

“It’s been great,” Liske said.

“I’ve grown as a person and a player. I feel like my development has progressed a lot. The coaches are great, it’s a great staff to have. When I’m older, it will be cool to say I was on the first ever team because I think it will keep growing.”

With his team competing for the Morneau Cup, Liske admits there’s motivation to put the program on the map.

“It’s good playing against the best and proving where we’re at,” he said. “We want to draw attention for other players. I think we’re getting better at that as we go along.”

Zanolli sees the mindset every game from the dugout, crediting his players for showing up in the big moments.

The future is bright, he believes.

“That’s been a big thing, they think they belong with the better names in the country,” Zanolli said. “We’re not a fluke and nice little story.”