Okotoks Dawgs welcome returning players

The Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Canadian Baseball League are welcoming back 10 players to the team this season. In bringing back these players, the Dawgs hope to complete the "three-peat" as champions and try to earn an eighth WCBL championship.

Outfielder Tucker Zdunich is the first player named to return. He played in 50 games during the 2022 championship season, posting a .306 batting average, with five home runs and 44 RBI.

Infielder Ricardo Sanchez was next to be named as a returnee, he is known for his defensive prowess but can also chip in on offence. Sanchez had 20 RBIs and ran to home plate 34 times to score runs.

Next up is right-handed pitcher Cade Herrmann, putting in 23.2 innings pitched last year while punching away 32 batters with strikeouts and an ERA of 2.28.

Another right-handed pitcher the Dawgs are bringing back is Garrett Maloney, Maloney played in 18 games and started in five of those games. He struck out 44 batters and pitched a total of 34.2 innings.

Utility player Elijah Hammill is returning to the Dawgs, Hammill played in 30 games for the Dawgs last year, stealing 10 bases, 21 RBIs, with 20 runs and had a batting average of .301.

Another infielder is making his return for the Dawgs in Aiden Rose. Rose played in 31 games last year, earning 16 RBIs and hit with a .294 batting average.

Right-handed pitcher Brody Forno will return after playing 14 games for the Dawgs last season. Forno caught 34 batters sleeping in that time, knocking them out with strikes, logged 31.1 innings pitched and had a 2.01 ERA.

Ryan McFarland another right-handed pitcher will return. Last year McFarland played in 18 games and pitched for 34.1 innings and earned a 3.40 ERA.

The Dawgs continued the trend of bringing back right-handed pitchers with Quinn Tocheniuk, who pitched in 19 appearances, and 17.1 innings. Tocheniuk had 12 strikeouts and only allowed two walks.

Last, but certainly not least, Gavin Wuschke will be the last returning player and another right-handed pitcher. Wuschke played in 13 games and held a 3-0 record. He also punched out 28 batters with strikes and played in a total of 35.1 innings.

The Dawgs will be back on May 24 to take on the Brooks Bombers at Seaman Stadium in what will be the 2024 WCBL Championship Banner night.