The 2024 WCBL Finals start on Thursday night with the Okotoks Dawgs hosting game one against the Moose Jaw Miller Express at Seaman Stadium to continue their quest for the three-peat.
During the playoffs, Okotoks' pitchers have been lights out so far. It's evident when looking at the statistics, with closer Ashton Luera leading the league with 16 strikeouts in just eight and one-third innings pitched. Dawgs veteran and 2024 WCBL All-Star Graham Brunner is in fourth place with 12 strikeouts in nine and two-thirds innings pitched.
Cade Herrmann, Ryan McFarland, and Aaron Hammer have all yet to be solved as they haven't allowed a single run while on the mound. Herrmann hasn't even allowed a hit in the three innings he has pitched.
Staying on the mound, game one will have a special guest in Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska, who will make the opening pitch to start the WCBL Finals.
"Mr. August" Brendan Luther has lived up to his nickname with a .462 batting average, seven runs, two doubles, and three RBIs during the postseason. Ricky Sanchez has also been on fire with a batting average of .364, five runs, three doubles, a triple, and seven RBIs in the 2024 WCBL playoffs. Logan Grant leads the team with two stolen bases.
The Dawgs started off the second round down 0-1 to the Gulls but never panicked, taking the do-or-die game three by a decisive 10-4 score. Josh Tucker, who was on the mound for the Gulls, came into the game with 13 strikeouts but the Dawgs chased him from the mound after a high-scoring fourth inning in game three.
Moose Jaw was also down in their series after losing 14-1 but didn't let the first game affect their outcome as they won 17-6 in game two and finished off the Saskatoon Berries 5-3 in game three to move onto the finals.
Okotoks took the season series against the Miller Express, having won both games during the regular season. On July 18, the Dawgs won 4-3; then, on July 19, they dominated Moose Jaw 16-3.
Game one starts Thursday at Seaman Stadium at 7:05 pm, then they head to Moose Jaw on Friday for a 7:05 pm start in game two.
Game three, if necessary, will be back in Okotoks on Saturday night at 7:05 pm.