As Southeast Senior Baseball League champions in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19), the Canora Supers are confident the team will continue to be successful during the coming season, according to Greg Andreychuk, player/coach.
“The Supers will be hungry to fight for their third consecutive championship,” said Andreychuk. “Joining the Supers in the SESBL this season will be the Parkland Pirates (Yorkton/Melville), Langenburg Legends, Yorkton Marlins, and Roblin Stars. This looks to be an extremely competitive season as each team will provide a stiff challenge. The standings should be very close when the dust settles. As two time defending champs, the Supers know other teams will be gunning for them.”
The league unfortunately lost a few teams from last season as the Willowbrook Royals, Back Forty Brewers, Parkland Padres, and Yorkton Orioles have all disbanded. The Grandview Lakers will be on a one-year leave of absence, but will have the option to rejoin the league with no penalty in 2023.
The league’s five teams will play a 12-game schedule during the upcoming regular season, slated to be completed by the end of June with playoffs tentatively set to start on Monday, July 4, after the Canada Day long weekend. Four of the five teams will make the playoffs. Round one will be a best-of-three series, followed by the best-of-five championship final.
Strong lineup
Andreychuk said the Supers will return the majority of their players, with a few additions and subtractions.
“New to the squad will be Tanner Denesowych of Canora, who also suited up for the Cobras in the Sask East Hockey League during the past winter.”
Andreychuk and the Supers are pleased to welcome the following players for the 2022 season:
Kody Rock of Canora, pitcher/infield: “Aside from being the ace of the pitching staff, he will be a fixture near the top of the order, and infield. He hits for power, average, steals bases, and dominates on the hill. He can do it all.”
Sean Kolodziejski of Hyas, catcher/infield: “Sean will bat near the top of the order and provide solid defence behind the dish. He was a key table setter for the potent power hitting behind him, and will be counted on for much the same. He will get plenty of stolen bases, and can also play infield and outfield if necessary.”
Zach Rakochy of Canora, catcher/utility: “Zach will look to continue his torrid hitting from 2021. He is the Swiss army knife of the defence as he can play anywhere needed including catcher, and brings a calm, positive attitude to the team.”
Dylan Toffan of Canora, infield/pitcher: “Toffan is a slick-fielding infielder with great speed and a great bat. He can also toe the rubber on occasion, and should be available more often this season than in years past. His presence improves the team greatly.”
Travis Mentanko of Canora, infield: “Travis will be counted on for more power hitting and RBI’s in the number three spot in the order. He has been the league’s top power hitter for the better part of a decade, as his performance in the 2021 playoffs was a testament to that with a walk-off home run in game three of the final.”
Kholton Shewchuk of Rama, infield/pitcher: “Shewchuk will be back to patrol third base and drive in runs in the middle of the order. He is reliable as it gets, and his production is nearly unmatched throughout the league. He will also be counted on to throw some key innings on the mound.”
Ian Quewezance of Kamsack, shortstop “Ian is another slick fielding, big bat in the middle of the order. He will continue to hit for a high average and make dandy plays from shortstop.”
Evan Rostotski of Norquay, outfield: “The man known as ‘Rook’ will be back to play some steady outfield and contribute a consistent bat. He has been a mainstay for over a decade, and continues to be very reliable.”
Derek Palagian of Hudson Bay, outfield/pitcher: “Palagian has been with the Supers since 2004, and has pitched the most innings in that time period. At 39, he still has the consistent pitches to keep batters off balance, and provides steady outfield defence and a good bat.”
Darcy Blommaert of Yorkton, outfield/pitcher: “A member of the Supers since 1999, Darcy just keeps coming back for more. He has lost a few miles per hour off the fastball, but this crafty lefty still gets the job done on the mound.”
Phil Sobkow of Calder, outfield/infield: “Phil has been the cleanup hitter for the majority of his Supers career. He will continue to bring some power from the middle of the order, and solid defence where needed. He was drafted in 2001 by the Detroit Tigers, and 2003 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won a NCAA Div 2 World Series in 2003 at Central Missouri State, and played professional baseball for seven years.”
Jayden Heskin of Norquay, pitcher/infield: “Heskin will return for his second full season. His bat heated up early in 2021, and continued throughout the season. He split time between infield and outfield, and will look to throw a few innings from the hill.”
Chet Bornhorst of St. Gregor, outfield/catcher: “A surprising addition to the Supers in 2021, Chet provided great speed and defence to the outfield, and a steady bat. He will be counted on for more solid production. He is also a great catcher.”
Brendon Landstad of Canora, pitcher/utility: “Brendon has graduated the 18U division, and will play exclusively with the Supers. He has great speed and a great arm. With some fine tuning he can become an excellent pitcher. He can play anywhere on the field.”
Clay Sleeva of Canora, pitcher/utility: “Clay spent the 2021 season with the Parkland Expos 18U AAA team. He hit extremely well and logged some innings on the hill. His status is uncertain as he is rehabbing an injury, but hopes to return at some point.”
Grady Wolkowski of Canora, catcher/utility: “Grady also graduated 18U baseball, and will join the Supers full time. He caught for the Parkland Expos AA team in 2021, and will spend some time behind the dish with the Supers. He can also play outfield so there will be plenty of opportunities for him to get his feet wet in senior ball.”
Logan Wolkowski of Canora, infield: “Logan is currently a member of the 18U Parkland AA Expos baseball club out of Yorkton. He will be plenty busy with that squad, but if available can suit up for the Supers on select weekdays.”
Andreychuk has been in charge of the Supers since 2011, as a player and coach. He can still play in the outfield when necessary, but will spend much more time coaching third base and from the dugout than in years past.
Fan support appreciated
Andreychuk and the Supers are grateful to the fans for their support over the years.
“The packed bleachers and row of cars down the foul line is always uplifting to the team. Al Sapieha Field is in tremendous shape, and has received rave reviews from teams and fans across the league. 2022 will be another great season, so please come out and support the Supers in their quest for a third consecutive championship,” concluded Andreychuk.
The Supers begin the season with a rematch of the 2021 league final as they travel to Yorkton to play the Marlins on May 16.
The home opener at Al Sapieha Field is set for Wednesday, May 25 versus the Langenburg Legends.
