NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

Sunday August 19, 2012

The Okotoks Dawgs Midget Blacks (16-18 year-olds) won the Canadian National Midget Baseball Championship on Sunday evening after defeating British Columbia 4-1 at Municipal Stadium in Quebec City. The Dawgs were led by a dominating pitching performance by 16-year-old Matt Lloyd of Okotoks who pitched a complete game three-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Offensively the Dawgs were paced by 15-year-old second baseman Eddie Sanchez who delivered 3 RBI. Also contributing hits were Jared Frew, Blake Paterson, Ramon Valdez and Layne Currie.

The Dawgs won "back to back" Alberta provincial championships and followed that up with their second consecutive berth in the National Championship Game. Last year the Dawgs took home the silver medal but this year the Dawgs were not to be denied.

The Dawgs dealt a loss to defending champion and previously undefeated Ontario 6-3 earlier today in the semi-final with Wyle Cunningham earning the win and closer Eric Kahl earning his second save of the championship. The Dawgs had advanced to the semi-finals after 10 run wins over PEI and Quebec and battling through a 10-9 win over Nova Scotia and a 5-4 quarter-final win over Saskatchewan.

Over the course of the tournament, in addition to Lloyd and Cunningham, the Dawgs enjoyed outstanding pitching performances from Kurtis Taylor, Jake Shaw and Roberto Valdez. Offensive leaders throughout the National Championship included Brendan Rose, Ramon Valdez, Eddie Sanchez, Doug Clapperton and Jared Frew.

Next week the Dawgs Bantam Blacks (13-15 year-olds) who earlier this month captured their third consecutive Alberta Bantam Championship, and are defending National Silver Medalists, travel to Vaughn, Ontario to attempt to bring the Dawgs a second National Championship.