The Western Canadian Baseball League’s 2025 regular season has wrapped, and the Okotoks Dawgs are once again entering the playoffs as the team to beat in tonight's opening game of the semifinals.
The Dawgs posted their fourth straight 40-win season to finish atop the West Division and secure home-field advantage through at least the first two rounds. They’ll be joined in the West by the Sylvan Lake Gulls, Lethbridge Bulls, and Brooks Bombers.
To be the best, you have to beat the best—and for the past three years, that’s meant knocking off Okotoks. The defending champions capped a three-peat in 2024 and are aiming to extend their dynasty. First up are the Brooks Bombers, who clawed their way into the playoffs and are still searching for their first-ever postseason win.
These teams last met in the opening round of the 2022 playoffs, where Okotoks swept the Bombers and outscored them 28–8 over two games.
The Dawgs again dominated offensively this summer, leading the West Division in runs, hits, home runs, RBI, total bases and stolen bases. They also had the league’s best fielding percentage and the third-lowest team ERA (4.07).
Their playoff-tested batting order features Connor Crowson, Zane Skansi, Jake Skaggs, Barry Eiseman, Nash Crowell, Logan Grant and Ricardo Sanchez—names that have delivered in big moments time and again.
Both the Gulls and Bulls pushed the Dawgs to the brink during last year’s playoffs before ultimately falling to the eventual champions. This season, only one will have the chance for revenge, should Okotoks advance past Brooks.
Sylvan Lake and Lethbridge are also reigniting their own postseason rivalry. The Gulls swept the Bulls in the opening round of the 2023 playoffs, outscoring them 25–11 in the two-game set.
The Dawgs and Gulls split a home-and-home series last weekend to wrap up the regular season.
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Neither team stood out offensively during the regular season, but Sylvan Lake’s pitching has been more effective at suppressing runs. When the Gulls do get their bats going, they’re typically powered by Cochrane's Simon Baker, Jaden Flores, Brock Tijerina, Rowin O’Connor, Brooks Bachman and Ayden Makarus. Antony Gilbert—last season’s WCBL batting champ while with Brooks—was a late-season addition the Gulls hope will spark their offence.
To move on, Sylvan Lake will need clutch hitting and continued dominance from the mound. Gone is 2023 WCBL most outstanding pitcher Ty Boudreau, who signed with the New York Yankees after the MLB Draft. Still, the Gulls’ rotation enters the playoffs well-rested, with no starter logging more than 40 innings this season. Josh Tucker, the league’s all-time strikeout leader, brings a wealth of experience and will be leaned on heavily, along with Matthew Mackenzie, Mason Little, Josh Doelitsch, Leeroy Taverez and closer Mickey McClaskey.
Over in the East Division, the Saskatoon Berries put together a record-breaking 46–9 season to earn the President’s Trophy as regular-season champions. They’ll be joined in the playoffs by the Medicine Hat Mavericks, Regina Red Sox and Moose Jaw Miller Express. The Weyburn Beavers and Swift Current 57’s failed to qualify.
The first round of the playoffs features four best-of-three series, with eight teams battling for a chance to keep their title hopes alive. And once again, the road to a championship runs through Okotoks.
It's worth the trip to Okotoks' Seaman Stadium to check out the action, but be warned; tickets are scarce. Book your tickets here.