Dawgs Academy alum Will Labonté is making waves in his first season at the University of Portland, and he's bringing that momentum back to Okotoks for the summer.

After making a relief appearance for the Dawgs in 2024 and a start in 2025 as an academy player, the Montrealer began his collegiate career with a bang, quickly becoming one of the most decorated young pitchers in college baseball.

The right-handed ace was recently named a semifinalist for the College Baseball Hall of Fame 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Award, and has twice earned the title of West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week. Last month, Labontè was also named a Midseason Freshman All-American by Perfect Game.

Despite his freshman status, Labonté has thrown a team-high of 57.2 innings, recording 50 strikeouts and a 2.50 ERA, making him an obvious consideration for the National Pitcher of the Year honour.

In an article with Alberta Dugout Stories, Labonté attributed much of his discipline and team-oriented mentality to his time with the Dawgs Academy.

“It’s the key to having a good work ethic, and what allows me to stack good days,” Labonté said.

For Labonté, the mental side of the game is the most important. Labonté doesn’t allow his age to define his game, choosing instead to use his years of experience with the academy for courage on the mound. He focuses on a pitch-by-pitch approach, shaking off mistakes to focus on the next play.

“Everybody is competitive at this level, and we’re all here because we’re good. It doesn’t matter how old you are, and if it’s your first or 150th game. I think that mentality helps me be fearless on the mound,” Labonté said.

This approach helps him lead by example, staying composed in a position where mistakes can be costly and executing in high-pressure moments.

With a pitching mix that includes a 90–92 mile per hour fastball, slider, cutter, and changeup, the highly-decorated pitcher is bound to be a major contributor to the Dawgs pitching staff this season.