Posts in Canadians in College
Verge: Family support helped Sox draft Duffy achieve dream

Strong family support has been one of the keys to right-hander Matt Duffy’s success. It’s also a key reason why Duffy was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. He has since signed with the club. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with Duffy about his baseball odyssey so far.

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McFarland: Grant excited about second WCBL All-Star Game nod

“Logan Grant admits he’s not the best cook, so getting to play close to home for the first time in a few years has been a nice treat.

He grew up in the Dawgs Academy program in Okotoks before heading off to school at Bismarck State College and, most recently, Bellevue University.

After successful stints with the Sylvan Lake Gulls in 2021 and the Swift Current 57s in 2022, he’s back in the friendly confines of Seaman Stadium as part of the Okotoks Dawgs, a team he always wanted to play for.

“It’s unbelievable being able to be on this side of it,” Grant told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “Watching those players growing up, it’s super-cool getting to do what they got to do.”

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McFarland: Shakotko to star in Lethbridge, same city as hockey-playing dad before him

“It would have been easy for Demetri Shakotko to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Darren Shakotko had a successful sports career that included a Western Hockey League (WHL) championship with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1996-1997. His puck pursuits continued at the University of New Brunswick, followed by a few seasons in the East Coast Hockey League and Central Hockey League.

While Demetri did excel on the ice growing up in Fredericton, his real passion was on the baseball field.

So when it came time to make a decision about what to pursue, the young man didn’t hesitate and faced no pressure from his father.”

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Gollert leads Golden Eagles into College World Series

“Don’t call the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles run to the College World Series a Cinderella story.

Not in front of left-handed pitcher Harley Gollert (Toronto, Ont.), anyway.

“I think we’re exactly where we expected to be come this time of year,” Gollert said.

“We’re a very balanced and deep team with a bunch of individuals who understand their roles. Mix in a little bit of star power with an All-American closer and centre fielder and you have a team that is very tough to beat.”

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Shushkewich: Spoljaric gains W for Oregon in Pac-12 tourney

“Words of wisdom to departing pitchers headed south often sound similar to this: “Be patient not a lot of guys see action their freshman season”

Turner Spoljaric not only pitched as a freshman, he pitched the Oregon Ducks to victory in the Pac-12 championship tournament and into the NCAA 64-team tourney.

For the must-win game, the Ducks gave the ball to Spoljaric (Lisle, Ont.), looking for a statement game on the nationally televised contest at Scottsdale Stadium. He and his bullpen recorded a 5-4 win over the Arizona Wildcats.”

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Boudreau puts together great season for Midland College

“It’s not easy to be a good pitcher in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division I.

Seventy-five of the league’s batters finished the season with a batting average of .400 or higher, a stat that makes the year Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) had on the mound even more impressive.

Finishing the season with a 12-2 record, Boudreau led the Midland College Chaparrals in wins while posting a 3.97 ERA."

Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick recently caught up with the Canadian right-hander to talk about his season.

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