The Vernon Canadians edged Manitoba 4-3 in St. Albert, Alta., to win their first-ever Western Canadian U18 AA Baseball Championship on Aug. 17.
Historic Victory for Vernon Baseball
The Vernon Canadians etched their names into history on Sunday, Aug. 17, after defeating Manitoba Midwest 4-3 in the Western Canadian U18 AA Baseball Championship final in St. Albert, Alberta. The win marked the Vernon Baseball Association’s first-ever Western Canadian minor baseball title.
A Championship Decided in the Final Inning
With the score tied at 3-3 in the seventh inning, Vernon’s Charlie Black advanced to third base on a single before scoring the decisive run on a bloop hit by Jordan Harrington. The final out came moments later, sealing a tense victory and sparking a jubilant celebration on the field.
Pitching Power Leads the Way
Starting pitcher Micah Davyduke delivered a standout performance, throwing a complete game while allowing just five hits and striking out eight. Head coach Dan Braddick credited both Davyduke and right-hander Koen Holmes for being the backbone of a pitching staff that opponents “were terrified to face.”
Journey to the Championship Game
The Canadians’ road to the gold-medal final included wins over the Camrose Cougars, host St. Albert Cardinals, and the Weyburn Beavers. Their only loss of the tournament came in the opener against Manitoba, a setback they avenged in the final with resilience and consistency at the plate.
Teamwork and Mental Toughness
Braddick emphasized that the team’s success came from more than just skill. “A lot of it came down to mental toughness,” he said, noting that players fully committed to training and preparation throughout the season. Consistent hitting across the lineup also proved vital, with contributions coming from every part of the batting order.
A Season of Goals Achieved
At the start of the summer, the team set out to win the Valley of the Champions tournament, the provincial title, and the Western Canadian Championship. On Sunday, the Vernon Canadians completed that mission. For five players—Ryder Hornhardt, Holmes, Vincent Sanfilippo, Everett Brown, and Harrington—the victory was a fitting finale to their youth baseball careers.
Building on a Winning Legacy
For Braddick, it was his second Western Canadian title, following a U15 AA championship in 2021 with the Vancouver Mounties. He praised his coaching staff and players for their commitment, calling the 2025 victory “a special moment for everyone involved.”
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
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