WILKIE — In a season that has involved a rotating player roster for a variety of reasons, the Wilkie Brewers are ready for playoff season.
The Brewers roster includes: Rick Cey, Rob Cey, Jared Herle, Tanner Huber, Damian Lantz, Jake Mamer, Braden Polreis, Steve Redlich, Mike Sittler, Cory Wildeman, Cody Wilgenbusch and Gavin Wourms.
Rob Cey, team manager and player, says, “Due to injuries and other commitments we have also had to enlist the help of the following players: Kaden Cey, Denim O’Donnel, Isaiah Mamer, Lorne Griffiths, Logan Middleton, David Schell, Thomas Snell and Hunter Sperle. Hunter, Thomas, Kaden and Denim have also completed the three required games needed to be eligible to play on our playoff roster.”
“Mike Sittler has been our player-coach again this year and has relied on some of our other veteran players such as Rob Cey, Rick Cey and Jared Herle to help with team decisions.”
Cey acknowledges that although the Brew Crew is satisfied with finishing in third spot in the league at 9-4, they were just one game out of first place in a competitive North Sask. River Baseball League this year.
The team says they have been challenged in terms of finding players for weekday games and most of the year were relying on many call-ups to fill their lineup.
“We feel that when we have all of our players available, we field a team that is among the most talented in our league,” Cey notes.
“We look forward to a playoff rematch with the Kindersley Stallions who ended our league playoff run in the semifinals last year. We know they are a team that, much like ours is exceptionally talented when all of their regulars are in the lineup. Despite being the six seed, Kindersley also was only two games back of the first place Macklin Lakers, which I believe speaks to the parity of our league right now. It should make for an incredibly competitive first round matchup.”
The Brewers also hold two nominees in the year-end league awards with Cey being in the running for top batter and Cory Wildeman up for top pitcher.
Cey notes that in term of provincials, the Brewers roster will look similar to their league roster. As of July 10, they are still waiting for Baseball Sask. to determine what level they will be competing in.
“However, as the reigning Senior AA Tier 2 provincial champs, we expect to be competing at that same level in the host site of Kindersley this year. Once again, we feel that our depth of talent will give us a fighting chance to repeat as champions.”
The road to provincials begins with levelling up their game in league quarter-finals starting July 13 on home diamonds.
