Okotoks Dawgs rally in ninth to win second straight to begin season

The Okotoks Dawgs defeated the Sylvan Lake Gulls 8-7 in front of a sold-out crowd at Seaman Stadium on Friday. Photo: Okotoks Dawgs

May 29, 2026

By Rhett Vasseur

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Sylvan Lake Gulls 8-7 in front of a capacity crowd of 6,194 at Seaman Stadium on Friday night.

It was the Dawgs’ second straight victory over the Gulls to open the season.

Ricky Sanchez, Cal Gates, Leo Cote (Boucherville, Que.), and Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Alta.) all reached to start the ninth, paving the way for Jeremy Kuiper to beat out a ground ball as Crowson came around to win it.

Four consecutive singles in the bottom of the eighth from Cote, Crowson, Nash Crowell (Yarmouth, N.S.), and Kuiper kickstarted the comeback as the Dawgs cut the lead to two, before winning it in the ninth.

Newcomer Jayden Lusk also had a nice night with two hits, and three RBIs.

On the mound, Dawgs Academy player, and University of Houston commit, AJ Rogers (Dartmouth, N.S.) got the start and gave up three runs in four innings.

A trio of Dawgs Academy pitchers also made their WCBL debuts out of the bullpen as Jack Bello (Vancouver, B.C.), Jack Thompson (Toronto, Ont.) and Brydon White (Surrey, B.C.) all had scoreless innings. White’s scoreless ninth also earned him the win.

There was a beautiful tribute to the late Don Seaman in the pregame festivities on Friday as the Dawgs continue to celebrate their 20th season in Okotoks. The action continues on Saturday night when the Dawgs welcome the Lethbridge Bulls to Seaman Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.