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One Moose Jaw baseball player has forever put his name in the history books at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) in Olathe, Kansas.
Reece Helland has played for the MNU Pioneers for four years. In that time with the team, Helland has achieved a record of 13 wins and 6 losses, maintaining a 4.47 ERA over 84 appearances, including one start and 16 saves.
His final save of the season, recorded on April 26th against Park University, established a new school record for career saves.
"It was 14 before this year, held by my previous catch partner, but he was unbelievable and so dominant. But you know, it was fun to take that from him," said Helland.
"Overall, I couldn't have done it without my teammates. They battled every game to allow me to do that and get saves. I'm grateful that I did it, but I wouldn't have done it without my teammates."
The 25-year-old from Moose Jaw attended A.E. Peacock, where he excelled as a seven-sport athlete, participating in baseball, hockey, volleyball, basketball, track & field, cross country, and badminton. Also, Helland played for the Moose Jaw Miller Express between 2017 - 2019, and another season in 2022.
He attended Monterey Peninsula College, playing baseball for three years and earning an Associate's degree in Business Administration. Reece later transferred to MNU, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing.
"There are so many great memories and just phenomenal teammates that I played with, and just some of my coaches were unbelievable role models, too. So it was, it was just a great experience."
Now, Helland has decided to say goodbye to the mound as a player and will be a pitching coach for the MNU Pioneers from the dugout.
Country 100's Avery LeBlanc chatted with Helland about his time in Moose Jaw, how he's enjoying life south of the border, diving into his ball career, and what's to come.