The Okotoks Dawgs Academy has announced that former pitcher for the WCBL Dawgs, Graham Brunner, will stay in Okotoks as he has been added to the academy's coaching staff.
Brunner has been a staple for the WCBL Dawgs squad since 2017 and played his final season with the team this past season. He was named a 2024 WCBL All-Star and started the game on the mound for the West Division. Brunner would start on the mound for WCBL finals in game three against the Moose Jaw Miller Express where teammate Connor Crowson hit a walk-off home run to complete the three-peat.
During his final game, the Dawgs faithful showed their appreciation by giving him a standing ovation after Aaron Hammer came into the game as his reliever.
Brunner was a part of four different WCBL champion teams as he won in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024. During the post-season in 2024, Brunner led the league with strikeouts, earning 19 Ks.
When he first entered the league, it was still named the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) and put up 21 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched. Brunner put up an astounding record of 25 wins and five losses during his seven years with the Dawgs.
In his final season, Brunner went 4-0 in his starts, pitched in 34 full innings, and struck out 33 opposing batters.
He'll be a familiar name to Dawgs fans after his dedication to the team over the past seven years, and will now help develop the future stars of Okotoks.