THE BATTLEFORDS — The start of the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League season for the North Battleford Beavers is a clear indication the team is looking to retain the championship title won in 2023. Last year’s championship victory was the team’s first in two and a half decades and reignited the team’s drive for the 2024 season.
The senior men’s baseball team had a full schedule in May and their goal was to come out strong and continue their momentum from there.
A season-opening decided victory was evidence the Beavers have come to play. Offence in their opening game was strong, knocking in 16 runs. Defence was obviously also a factor as the Beavers earned a shut-out victory, with Aaron Cadrin earning the win on the bump.
As of May 30, the Beavers sit on top of the league standings with a 4-0 record, with their most recent win against the Unity Cardinals, who they battled with for the league title in 2023.
The Beavers have scored just three less than five dozen runs in their four games this season.
The Beavers have only one rain-out game so far in the nine-team NSRBL lineup – against the Oil Ducks on May 29.
The team’s next action is June 3 versus Standard Hill Lakers, on the road and they are home to the Lashburn Cardinals on June 4. The full schedule is available on the league’s website at https://www.nsrbl.com/teams/default.asp?u=NSRBL&s=baseball&p=schedule
Regular season action concludes with July 4 games, and playoff season starting shortly thereafter.
The Beavers’ Mason Carriere and Joel Cubbon are in the top batters for stats for the league so far this year. Aaron Cadrin sits in the number seven spot for top pitchers.
In other NSRBL news, league co-commissioner and Baseball Saskatchewan vice-president, Regan L’Heureux of Unity will be inducted into the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024. L’Heureux won the 2022 Baseball Canada Volunteer of the Year award.
