The Wilkie Brewers will have to make some extra room on their trophy cabinet.
Just days after winning a second straight provincial championship, the Brewers captured their first North Saskatchewan River Baseball League title since 2008 following a two-game sweep of the Standard Hill Lakers.
“It’s awesome to have a season like this, especially for a small town like Wilkie,” Brewers pitcher David Schell said. “Baseball’s always huge here so to win two titles is very exciting.
“The provincials are what we play for each year but to win the league championship is the icing on the cake. It’s been awhile since we have won it so that makes it pretty special.”
Following a dominant 12-2 romp Tuesday in the first game of the series in Wilkie, the Brewers wrapped up the season Wednesday with a 5-4 triumph over the Lakers in Silver Lake.
“We knew that it was going to be a much tighter game with it being in their home park and with a strong young pitcher (Cooper Olson) being on the mound for them,” Schell said.
“Cooper’s only 17 and he’s tough to get a hit off of. He has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the league.”
The Lakers actually struck first with a home run in the bottom of the first inning but the Brewers kept things close before Rick Cey hit a solo shot in the top of the seventh frame to move out in front for good.
“We had a few chances to help our cause in the later innings but we ended up leaving the bases loaded on a couple of occasions,” Schell said.
“Rick had that big home run but it was another one of those games where everyone contributed. Jared Herle used his speed to score the tying run from second base on a play that wasn’t very easy. That was a big moment for us.”
After taking to the mound during the provincial playoffs in Rosetown on the weekend and getting the call in the first game of the final, Schell had the night off as Rob Cey got the start for the Brewers.
“Rob really settled in after giving up that early home run,” Schell said. “He pitched really well and allowed us to have a chance to win.”
When asked what was the key to the Brewers success this season, Schell pointed to an offence that seemed to score runs in bunches whenever they wanted to.
“When you look through our entire lineup I don’t think there’s a weak batter in the group,” Schell said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to face them as a pitcher as there are no easy outs in that group.
“We also had a never give up attitude. It didn’t matter if we were down by three or four runs this year. We always felt like we had a chance to win.”
The Brewers will look to continue their success next season. However, their lineup might have a different look to it.
“There’s always the odd veteran that says that this will be their last year and this would be a good way to go out with a couple of championships here,” Schell said.
“A couple of guys have been very stern that this would be their last year and it will be a shame to lose them. However, there’s always some strong players ready to go and we will always have a team here in Wilkie.”
