After winning AAA junior championships in 2021 and 2022, Tier 3 provincials in 2023 and Tier 4 provincials in 2024, the Unity Cardinals climbed the ladder once again this year entering Baseball Sask Tier 1 AA Senior Provincials in Saskatoon. The Cardinals were in the tournament among some of the provinces top senior level talent and made it to championship Sunday but ultimately fell short to end what was otherwise a terrific weekend for the team out of West Central Saskatchewan.
The Cardinals took on the Marysburg Royals on Friday morning in the tournament's first game as a pitching duel went Unity's way, Rhett Feser dominant on the mound in a 1-0 win. Taking a long break before their next game Saturday afternoon, the Cardinals were rested and recharged for their final pool play game against the Regina Trappers where they won 6-3 on the back of a strong game from Reid Beck, Feser coming in once again to close it.
The 2-0 record earned the Cardinals a spot in the semi-finals on Sunday where they faced the 1-1 Regina Rockies who lost to Carlyle and beat Saskatoon to earn a spot in the final four. Unity's arms remained dialed on Sunday, but the bats went silent like on Friday as the Cardinals lost 4-0 to the Rockies, putting an end to a good showing at the birds' first appearance at Tier 1 provincials.
Well the Birds did not get hot this morning and dropped the semi 4-0. What a weekend for the fellas though. Sure showed we can hang with the big dogs.
— Unity Cardinals (@SeniorCards) August 3, 2025
In the finals, the Rockies faced the Carlyle Cardinals in a rematch from Friday's one run affair. The Cardinals didn't let the second game get close as they mercy-ruled the Rockies 11-1 to take home the provincial title for the first time in the organization's history.
The Cardinals will more than take this year's results, showing they belong in Baseball Sask's best level of competition. A mainstay in Saskatchewan senior baseball lore, the Marysburg Royals, complemented the young team that will no doubt be back.
"Yes, you did," replied the Royals to the Cardinals social post above. "Congrats on your successful showing fellas. Best of luck in the league final!" finished the account, referencing the Cardinals winner-take-all Game 3 in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League championship series coming up on Wednesday at 6:30 from their temporary home in Wilkie.
The other local senior league still in action is the Battle River Baseball League where the Macklin Lakers battled back to force a Game 3, also being played Wednesday night in Macklin at 6:30.
The Lakers, along with a few other local senior baseball teams will be headed around the province this weekend for their respective provincial tournaments. See who is headed where in the related stories section below.