The Weyburn Beavers couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2025 WCBL season, dominating the Saskatoon Berries 9–0 in their home opener Thursday night at Tom Laing Park.
A five-run fifth inning cracked the game open for the Beavers, followed by two-run frames in both the seventh and eighth. First baseman Ryan Dauphinee led the charge with a 2-for-5 night, driving in four runs, including a bases-clearing double in the 5th that energized the hometown crowd. Weyburn finished with 11 hits, while Saskatoon managed just two.
“We’ve been really excited for opening day; it’s like Christmas Day for us,” said Beavers head coach Cam Williams post-game. “The guys played really well—a lot of really good at-bats. Obviously, Ian Heck with a phenomenal start for us, and the bullpen was really good too. Just a really, really good team win, a bit of a statement win for us.”
Heck, making his return to Weyburn after a strong 2024 season, delivered six shutout innings, striking out five and allowing just one hit to earn the win.
“It’s just amazing to be back here,” Heck said. “Having such a great time last summer, I couldn’t wait to get back up here. It was a good one to make a statement in the league and get stuff rolling forward.”
The bullpen kept the shutout intact, with Isaiah Granado, Jasiah Mendoza, and Joe Hart combining for three scoreless innings.
Saskatoon starter Merek Yeager took the loss after surrendering four runs, three earned, in 4 1/3 innings. Defensive miscues plagued the Berries, who committed four errors on the night.
With the roster only assembled less than a week before opening night, Williams credited team chemistry for the early success.
“Summer ball’s kind of a funny thing where guys mesh really quickly,” he noted. “Some of them knew each other beforehand, but there’s a lot of new friendships. It’s really cool to see it all gel this fast.”
Looking ahead, the Beavers are set to host the Regina Red Sox on Friday.
“Obviously, it’s a great win, but tomorrow’s a new day,” Williams added. “Regina’s always a tough opponent. They love beating us, and we love beating them. Hopefully, we take it to them in our yard.”
Heck echoed the excitement: “We’ve got a good group of guys that can play good baseball, and we’re just going to build off that and hopefully carry it into tomorrow and get another win.”
The game Friday night starts at 7:05 p.m. at Tom Laing Park.