Okotoks, AB - The Okotoks Dawgs hosted the 2024 WCBL All-Star game at Beautiful Seaman Stadium. Each team from the East and West divisions put forward their best players for a home run derby and an East versus West classic. The night was capped off with a beautiful fireworks display. An astounding 6,064 fans attended this fun day full of festivities.
The Home Run Derby was a thrilling battle where each team put forward their hardest hitter as they looked to crush the most bombs of the day. In the end, it would come down to Carter Beck (Carnduff, SK) of the Saskatoon Berries and Peyton McDowall (University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma) of the Fort McMurray Giants. We would see McDowall take the victory in the 2024 Home Run Derby after crushing six home runs in the final round.
From here we entered the East vs West All-Star Game where the best players from each team faced off head-to-head. The East Division took the win over the West Division in a competitive match-up that saw the East win 13-6.
The East Division was strong offensively throughout the game. Jordan Phillips (William Jewell College) crushed the only home run of the game after going yard in the sixth. The Home Run Derby runner-up and MVP Carter Beck (Carnduff, SK) had a great performance going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Marshal Burke (Florida Tech) and Halen Otte (Whitman College) would go 4-for-6 with two RBIs a piece.
On the West Division side of things, multiple Dawgs players would have good performances starting with Tucker Zdunich (High River, AB). Zdunich got an RBI in the first with a hard-hit single out to right field. Connor Crowson (Okotoks, AB) also had a good showing tonight, going 2-for-2. Timo Aracena (Embry-Riddle University) would also contribute with a hard-hit double to right-center earning Aracena an RBI.
Ian Heck (York University) got the nod on the East side and allowed one hit and one run in his single inning of work. Daniel Crabtree (Point University), Jaylen Gutierrez (Wabash Valley CC), Josh Landry (Hope International), and Klevert Martina (Mid-American Christian University) would all throw scoreless innings keeping the West Division bats at bay.
The Dawgs' own Graham Brunner (Sherwood Park, AB) got the nod for the West, allowing two hits and one run in his single inning of work. Brandon Russell (Brewton-Parker College), Rob Schmidt (University of Science & Arts Oklahoma), and Dawgs star pitcher Garrett Maloney (Campbellsville University) would toss scoreless innings as they tried to slow the East Division down.
This record-breaking night of baseball was capped off with a beautiful firework display where players and fans, East and West, celebrated the league we love.
The Okotoks Dawgs return to beautiful Seaman Stadium tomorrow, Sunday, July 21st to take on the Fort McMurray Giants in a make-up game from a rainout that occurred Father’s Day weekend.
A reminder that Dawgs fans can stream Dawgs home and away games at www.hometeamlive.com. Come cheer on the Dawgs in person for their next home game! Tickets are selling fast, purchase yours today at www.dawgsbaseball.ca/tickets or by calling the Dawgs ticket office at 403-262-DAWG(3294).
