The Westlock Red Lions continued their defence of their 2024 NCABL championship win with an 8-2 home victory at Keller Field over the Legal Primeaus on May 27.
The Red Lions defensive game was especially on point as they had two double plays and zero errors, allowing only two runs from the Primeaus, both in the final inning. Sean Beaudoin was the top defensive performer for the Red Lions with seven defensive plays.
“I feel like we came out with our sticks. We went out there and hit the ball well, played good defense behind myself, and that kind of shut the door till the last inning there,” said Red Lions general manager and pitcher Jordan Brand.
The game was relatively close with the Red Lions leading only 1-0 in the first three innings through Travis Wagner. The Red Lions pulled ahead in the fourth inning, scoring three runs and added a further four runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 8-0. The Red Lions Derek Lofstrand, Steve Cote, Teron Callihoo and Leyton Sharrun all had multi-hit games with the Red Lions having 12 hits in total.
“We just need to keep being us which is a team effort every game and I can't stress that enough,” said Brand. “Just keep on hitting the ball, playing good solid defense and picking each other up when we need to pick each other up.”
The Red Lions are now 4-1 in the season having won their last three games following a defeat to last year’s finalists, the Parkland Twins. The Red Lions currently now sit top of the league standings and will face the Barrhead Orioles in their next game at home on Tuesday, June 3.
The Red Lions won the NCABL championships last year, defeating the Twins 13-6 and 1-0 over two games to secure their 19th championship title and first championship win since 2017.
Westlock will also be hosting the Senior AA Western Canada Baseball Championship from August 15-17 which will feature visiting teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and BC.
