It was a thrilling game, and heartbreaking loss for the Unity Cardinals on Thursday night in Wilkie. The Cardinals lost 6-5 in extra innings to the North Battleford Beavers, who completed a series comeback to win the 2025 North Saskatchewan River Baseball League title.
Two of the three games in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League final series went to extra innings, the Cardinals earning a 5-4 walk off win on July 28 in Game 1. Two days later, Game 2 back in North Battleford went the Beavers way 5-2 to send the series back to the Cardinals temporary home in Wilkie. After a weekend break with the Cardinals at provincials, last night's battle went the way of the Beavers to send the NSRBL trophy back to North Battleford.
The Cardinals enjoyed a great season but eventually fell short in both of their main pursuits. The Cards finished 13-1 in the NSRBL regular season and swept the first two rounds of playoffs before the Game 2 loss in North Battleford. That loss didn't faze the Cardinals headed into Tier 1 provincials last weekend as they won both round robin games but then fell in Sunday's semi-final.
While there might not be any hardware attached, the 2025 season was still a successful one for the Cardinals. They made a name for themselves among some of the provinces best at provincials, and with plans to be back in the top division next year, will also be hungrier than ever for a return to the NSRBL finals.
The best part about a look ahead to next season? The Cardinal Diamond Revitalization Project should be wrapped up and ready to "play ball".