Ricardo “Ricky” Sanchez has always played the game with a certain edge of confidence, but this season, that edge has turned into something bigger. The shortstop, a product of Mexico City, Mexico, has gone from a locally known fan-favorite to one of the more talked-about players in college baseball. Sanchez is putting together a breakout season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs that’s turning heads across the college ranks and setting the stage for a highly anticipated return to Okotoks later this month.

Sanchez’s season has been defined by reliability, confidence, and production. In a sport where consistency is so hard to come by, Ricky is one of those few guys you can count on day in and day out. Through 42 games this season, Sanchez is hitting for a .361 average with a .981 OPS and 27 RBI’s, while also being the captain of that Bulldogs defense. Whether it’s delivering at the plate, making tough plays look routine at in the hole at short, or leading his club in big moments, he’s been a difference-maker every time he laces up his cleats for Gonzaga this season—something Dawgs fans are quite familiar with. It’s the kind of all-around performance that elevates a player from dependable to must-watch, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The attention for Ricky reached a new level when he was named to the shortlist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given annually to the top shortstop in NCAA Division I. Even if Sanchez doesn’t end up winning the award, being included among college baseball’s best is a reflection of just how impactful his season has been both individually and for his team. Put together, it’s a sign that Sanchez is firmly in elite company at his position and gives Dawgs fans hope that he can elevate his game even more upon his return.

For the past few months, Ricky has been the best version of himself. Now, that momentum is coming back north to Seaman Stadium. Sanchez is set to return to the Dawgs for his final season this summer. With opening day slated for May 28 against the Sylvan Lake Gulls and the Home Opener against those same Gulls the following night, May 29. For fans in Okotoks, it’s more than just a homecoming; it’s a chance to watch one of the top shortstops in college baseball up close and personal for one more summer. If his college season is any indication, Ricky Sanchez won’t just be back—he’ll be appointment viewing.