McFarland: Saskatchewan earns bronze at 19U Women's National Championship
For the second consecutive year, Saskatchewan won bronze at the 19U Women’s National Baseball Championship. Photo: Baseball Canada
*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on August 5. You can read it here.
August 7, 2026
By Joe McFarland
Saskatchewan Dugout Stories
You can add another bronze medal to the mantle for Team Saskatchewan at the Baseball Canada 19U Women’s National Championship.
Although, the latest was most definitely a little sweeter as it was captured on home turf.
Hosting the tournament in Saskatoon, the team came out blazing with big wins in the round-robin and, despite a heartbreaking setback in the semis, they came back stronger on their way to a decisive 15-5 win over Alberta in the bronze-medal matchup.
While it fell short of their ultimate goal, they were all smiles as their rewards were placed around their necks.
They knew it wasn’t just a win for them, but for an entire province and the next generation looking to proudly wear the green, gold and white of Saskatchewan.
“Winning a medal at nationals is a huge accomplishment, but to be able to do it at our home field in front of our family and friends was even more special,” Makenna Dobrowolsky told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.
“It was also amazing to have younger girls come support us and watch what Team Sask can do.”
The medal also serves as inspiration for the 16U team who will be heading to nationals in Moncton later this month.
SETTING A TONE
After claiming bronze at the 2025 championships in Calgary, expectations were high heading into this summer.
The players and coaches wanted to set a tone early, especially at home.
“Going into the tournament, our message to our players was to have confidence in their skills, believe in themselves, and to have fun,” said head coach Tony Black.
Led by veteran Braidy Birdsall, who went 4-for-4 with four runs batted in, Saskatchewan hit the ground running with an 11-1 victory over Manitoba to open up the tournament. Dobrowolsky and Bailey Lacelle combined on a one-hit gem, allowing just two walks while striking out six over five innings.
Birdsall did it again the next day, picking up three hits and three RBIs during a thrilling 19-13 extra innings triumph over Alberta.
They finished the round-robin portion of the tournament with 12-2 romp over Newfoundland and Labrador, with Birdsall nabbing another two hits and three RBIs while Camden Suchan and Paetyn Lenius were solid on the hill.
FIGHTING THROUGH ADVERSITY
Facing Ontario in the semi-final with a spot in the gold medal game on the line, Team Sask went to work hoping to improve on their 2025 finish.
The offence picked up right where it left off in the round-robin, with Bailey Lacelle nabbing three hits while four others had two-hit days, but it wasn’t enough in an 11-7 loss.
Instead of being disappointed, they leaned on their experience from a season ago to make sure they were in the right mindset going into the bronze medal game just a couple of hours later.
“We all have a drive to keep going and to never give up, even through failure and frustrating moments,” said utility player Taylor Schueller. “We pick ourselves up and continue pushing ourselves to find success.”
Going up against Alberta again, things didn’t start well for Saskatchewan as they gave up a pair of runs in the first inning.
However, their bats caught fire in the second inning when they put up seven runs, highlighted by two-run doubles from Victoria Bateman and Dobrowolsky.
“They are a very determined group of young women who never gave up and believed in themselves,” said Black. “That semi-final loss was tough for us, but our girls reset between games and came to play in the bronze medal game.”
They scored another seven in the bottom of the fourth, and ended the game ended on a mercy with Saskatchewan up 15-5.
A SPECIAL TEAM
After Quebec clinched the gold medal with a 10-0 win over Ontario, it was time for the awards to be handed out.
To the surprise of no one, Birdsall was named the tournament’s top offensive player while Quebec’s Elly Lasorsa-Godmer picked up the top pitcher accolades.
The 20-year-old finished the tournament going 20-for-23 with 17 RBIs, putting an exclamation point on her time with the 19U team.
“My whole family is pretty much here,” the Saskatoon native told 650 CKOM. “Just looking out there and seeing their smiling faces just makes it all worth it. I can leave the diamond knowing that I put everything out there and had a great time.”
While Birdsall turned a lot of heads, Black says it was a complete team effort from everyone as they played their hearts out and were resilient throughout the tournament.
It’s a sentiment echoed by his players, who say they supported each other and had confidence that they could pull through.
“The energy and positivity that Team Sask has definitely helped us succeed because we’re always having fun while playing the sport we have a lot of passion for,” Dobrowolsky said.
It all boiled down to team culture, continued Schueller.
“Team Sask is truly a special team when it comes to the bond we share,” she said. “We are always picking each other up, cheering each other on and just having fun.”
The tournament created many memories for the players, coaches and fans – home sweet home indeed.