The Marysburg Royals played their last game of the season on August 28 in Saskatoon.
It was Game 4 of the best -of-five Saskatoon Senior Baseball League final series against the Saskatoon Stallions.
Down two games to one, the Royals needed a win in Game 4 to stay alive.
Unfortunately, they lost by a score of 9-3.
Eric Bollefer, Luke Strueby, and Brett Yarskie pitched in the game for Marysburg.
"We played solid defence, only making one error and the bats were okay, as we had seven hits," reported Royal Curtis Strueby.
"The Stallions scored six runs in the third inning and that kind of sunk us."
After three innings, the Stallions were up 9-0, and though the Royals battled hard until the end, they came up short.
Strueby was satisfied with the team's performance this season, though, especially in the final series.
"We played pretty good throughout," he said of that series. "The Stallions played well also, as they really hit the ball well the entire series."
The Royals were pretty short-handed for the final, playing the majority of the series with a very short bench.
"However, we played hard right until the end," Strueby said, adding a congratulations to the Stallions for winning the league title.
"They played well," he stated.
This season was the Royals' 94th, and was arguably one of the best the team has ever had.
Although they came up just short in both league and Provinicals, the team still had a good showing all year long.
Marysburg won the Big Moose Tournament down in Kenosee, and were ready to play in the final at the Father's Day Tournament in Saskatoon before it was rained out.
The Royals also won the league pennant with a 21-3 record and finished second in both Provincials and in league play.
"It was such a good year for us and we came a long way as a team, which was great to see," Strueby said. "We really battled hard all year as we did suffer a number of injuries throughout. However, whenever someone went down, there was always another guy who stepped up his game. That was a great sign as it showed the depth we have."
The majority of the players the Royals have on their roster are right from Marysburg and that is something the team is extremely proud of.
"I think that has a lot to do with our success, as we are all good friends and have literally grown up together," Strueby said. "Every single player on the team contributed to our success this past season.... I know for a fact the guys are anxious for next year already to try and come back and avenge that loss. It will be tough as the Senior AA category is quite strong, but we are confident we will be able to compete again."
Strueby expressed appreciation for the team's supporters, fans and even umpires.
"Many people brought their children to our ball camp in Marysburg and we are very thankful for that. There is no doubt it helps us financially (our expenses are huge) and at the same time, it is our way of trying to provide young players with some practice and insight to help them with the skills they need to continue to play ball as they get older," Strueby stated.
