Okotoks Dawgs seek redemption against Sylvan Lake Gulls in WCBL playoff showdown

The Okotoks Dawgs are getting a shot to avenge last year's playoff heartbreak, facing the Sylvan Lake Gulls in a West Division final for a second straight season in their quest to return to the top of the Western Canadian Baseball League.

The best-of-three series begins Tuesday at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks before action shifts to Gulls Stadium on Wednesday night. If necessary, a Game 3 would be played back in Okotoks on Thursday. First pitch for each contest is 7:05 p.m.

A year ago, Sylvan Lake swept Okotoks before falling to the East Division's Regina Red Sox for the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy. As HighOnCity reported in August, the Dawgs entered these playoffs as President's Trophy champions after dominating the regular season with a 42-14 record.

Okotoks' playoff form has been fierce. In their West semifinal, they swept the Energy City Cactus Rats with a mind-boggling 40-run offensive onslaught — 24-7 and 16-6 shellackings of the Spruce Grove club. The Dawgs got contributions up and down the lineup, belting out 42 hits. Jordan Kievman led the charge with six hits including two home runs and six RBI, while Eric Machej contributed six hits and five RBI. Nash Crowell added four hits including one homer with five RBI, Ricky Sanchez five hits with three RBI, Cal Gates five hits with one RBI, and Landon Kauffman three hits with three RBI.

The Gulls (38-18) finished just four games back in the regular-season standings but were pushed to a deciding Game 3 by the Lethbridge Bulls in their division semifinal. The Dawgs won 5 of 8 meetings against the Gulls in their regular-season series.

In the East final, the top-seeded Moose Jaw Miller Express face the third-place Saskatoon Berries. The Miller Express swept the Medicine Hat Mavericks, while the Berries quashed Regina's dream of a title repeat by winning Game 3.