Posts in Alberta Dugout Stories
McFarland: Rauckman is ready to roll at Canadian Futures Showcase

“Like many Canadian kids who loved baseball, Mitchell Rauckman grew up as a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Even though he is primarily a pitcher himself, the Saskatoon native always enjoyed watching slugger Josh Donaldson.

He’s been to Rogers Centre to watch his favourite team play, always hoping to one day play on the same turf.

Rauckman is one of three Saskatchewan products, along with Matthew Tran and Aiden Kilshaw, who will get the chance to do that in the Canadian Futures Showcase.”

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McFarland: Dawgs Academy 18U Black team nearing top of Perfect Game rankings

“They are onto the scent of being the top high school program in North America.

After capturing an incredible record of 60 wins, five losses and one tie during the season, the Dawgs Academy 18U Black team in Okotoks has risen to new heights in the eyes of Perfect Game.

The U.S.-based organization has touted the Dawgs as the number two high school program on the continent in its annual end-of-season rankings.”

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McFarland: Fort McMurray Oil Giants win 18U bronze on home soil

“Ethan Pittman’s final inning in a Fort McMurray Oil Giants uniform will be one he’ll remember for the rest of his life.

Holding onto a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning at the Baseball Canada 18U Nationals in his hometown, the graduating senior had to face the top of the Manitoba batting order.

He struck out Josh Randle and got Jackson Thiessen to fly out to centre field.

Up against infielder Tyler Mollons, Pittman got a first-pitch strike and two foul balls before twirling his second punch-out of the inning to help the Oil Giants capture the bronze medal.

The hometown crowd at Legacy Dodge Field in Fort McMurray erupted in celebration.”

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McFarland: Saskatchewan captures bronze at Canada Summer Games

“Some were calling it “the pool of death.”

Pool ‘A’ for men’s baseball at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador featured a few juggernauts including B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

Then there was Saskatchewan.

Despite winning gold in 2017 and bronze in 2022, the province is still thought of, by some, as an underdog of sorts.”

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Montgomery: St. Albert Cardinals win 18U Baseball Alberta Elite League title in dramatic fashion

“There’s nothing like winning a provincial championship unless of course it comes on your home field.

And to add a bit of drama to that, when you come from behind and take the title in an extra inning of play. That was exactly the case for the St. Albert Cardinals as they captured the Baseball Alberta Elite League U18 Championship by edging the Calgary Cubs 5-4 in eight innings.”

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McFarland: Wilde ride with Purple Eagles sees Albertan transition from pitcher to first baseman

“The caption on Evan Wilde’s Instagram post thanking Niagara University after his final season said it all.

“Started as a pitcher, finished as … not a pitcher.”

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound hurler-turned-infielder was on his way back home reflecting on a memorable end to his collegiate career.”

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McFarland: Huebner named co-winner of ICCAC Pitcher of the Year

“Cole Huebner wanted to leave an impression in his final year of junior college baseball.

The Edmonton product and Indian Hills Community College hurler had a solid freshman campaign, but had bigger dreams in mind.

He did it in a big way this spring, marching to a 6-5 record with a 3.98 earned-run average and 81 strikeouts in just over 63 innings of work.

Huebner was rewarded for his efforts by becoming the first Warriors pitcher in program history to be named Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Pitcher of the Year, an honour he is sharing with Iowa Western Community College’s Noah Scott.”

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McFarland: Achen quickly climbing Orioles’ ranks

“He’s quickly becoming a big story for fans and watchers of the Baltimore Orioles.

It’s hard to believe that just one year ago, Cohen Achen was putting the wraps on an exceptional collegiate career at Lindsey Wilson College and was getting ready to play summer baseball with the Intercounty Baseball League’s London Majors.

Instead, Baltimore selected the Calgary native in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball Draft, and he has since propelled up the organizational depth chart.”

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McFarland: Ninth inning has been “Danger Zone” for college hitters facing Helland

“When opposition batters head to the plate to face Reece Helland, they are entering the danger zone.

Not only are they facing MidAmerica Nazarene’s top bullpen gun, who is an intense presence on the bump, but he also enters the game with a formidable tune.

You guessed it: the Kenny Loggins classic “Danger Zone” from the movie Top Gun.

Over his four years with the Pioneers, Helland has accumulated a 13-6 record and a 4.47 earned-run average in 84 games, with one start, and 16 saves.”

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