By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Berries celebrate winning the WCBL championship. |
On Sunday,
August 16, the Berries added to the storied lore of Saskatoon’s famed baseball
park. Hosting Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series, the Berries downed the
visiting Sylvan Lake Gulls 11-1 before a record crowd of 2,579 spectators. With
the win, the Berries swept the best-of-three series 2-0 to become WCBL
champions for the first time in just their third season of existence.
The
series-clinching contest started out as a tight one with the Berries taking a
3-1 lead into the sixth inning. First baseman Josh Henson nailed a three-run
home run to spark the Saskatoon side to five-run inning that surged the Berries
advantage to 8-1. At that point, the party was on as the Berries cruised to
victory from there.
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| Merek Yeager sets to unload a pitch to home plate. |
Our lead
picture for this photo roundup shows the Berries celebrating as veteran
right-fielder Ethan Murdoch raised the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy that is
awarded to the WCBL champions. Murdock was 1-for-2 at the plate with a pair of
walks and a run scored in his final game for the Berries and his WCBL career.
The second
shot sees Berries starting right-handed pitcher and Muenster, Sask., product
Merek Yeager unloading a hurl to home plate during that WCBL title clinching
victory. Yeager was stellar picking up the win striking out four batters and
scattering seven hits and a walk over six innings.
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| The Berries enjoy falling confetti while posing for a team photo. |
Along with the pictures from the Berries WCBL title win,
this photo roundup contains images from softball nationals including the
Saskatoon Brewers making an ultimate memory. It also has shots of Saskatoon
Hilltops and high school football hitting stride.
The
pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on
our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our
Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.
Without further ado, here is a selection of 23 shots we hope you enjoy.
Salinas
guns to first for the double-play
Saskatoon Berries second baseman and fan favourite Gael Salinas completes a double-play by firing the ball to first base after getting a force out at second base on August 12 at Cairns Field. Salinas’s key defensive play came in the third inning of Game 2 of the WCBL East Division Championship Series against the Moose Jaw Miller Express. The Berries would win that contest 7-4 to sweep the best-of-three set 2-0.
Youngsters jet for home
After the Saskatoon Berries swept the best-of-three WCBL East Division Championship Series 2-0 with a 7-4 victory in Game 2 over the Moose Jaw Miller Express on August 12 at Cairns Field, the young fans and those young at heart ran the bases at the park in what has become a regular tradition at Berries home games. This was the last time in the 2026 campaign the running the bases tradition took place as the WCBL championship celebrations would occur four days later for the Berries at Cairns Field.
Wildcats take down Hilltops
A pair of Edmonton Wildcats defenders corral Saskatoon Hilltops electrifying running back Charles Sawi during the Hilltops CJFL regular season home opener on August 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Wildcats pulled off a major upset prevailing 28-22.
Meeting of the minds
Sylvan Lake Gulls head coach Matt Hape and Saskatoon Berries head coach Joe Carnahan meet an umpire crew at home plate before Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. After exchanging lineup cards, the Berries would go on to win the contest 11-1 to claim their first WCBL title in just their third season of existence.
Berries enjoy two in the second
Saskatoon Berries first baseman Josh Henson, right, gets set to celebrate scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning that put the Berries up 3-0 at that point in time in Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. In the 11-1 victory that allowed the Berries to win the WCBL title, Henson was 2-for-5 at the plate with one home run and three RBI.
Kilshaw makes mark with Berries
Saskatoon Berries catcher Aiden Kilshaw sets to make a throw to second base during Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series on August 16 at Cairns Field. The Berries would win that contest 11-1 to claim their first WCBL title. Kilshaw was an associate player who joined the Berries on a full-time basis after his final season with the Saskatoon Cubs 18U AAA team ended in late July. During the Berries WCBL playoff run where they posted a 6-1 record, Kilshaw went 9-of-27 at the plate for a .333 batting average, two home runs and 10 RBI. Kilshaw wouldn’t turn 18 until September 4.
Jam Fam backs Berries with record
crowd
A record crowd 2,579 spectators turned out to support the Saskatoon Berries in Game 2 of the WCBL Championship Series that was held on August 16 at Cairns Field. They saw the Berries post an 11-1 victory to win the WCBL championship. Part of that gathering is shown here saluting the Berries after their win.
Lazaruk chats with MVP
Shackelford
Saskatoon Berries play-by-play voice Les Lazaruk, left, interviews right-handed relief pitcher Wesley Shackelford after the Berries won the WCBL title on August 16 at Cairns Field. In four games of work in the WCBL post-season, Shackelford threw nine scoreless innings striking out 14 batters, while giving up one hit and one walk. In those four outings, Shackelford picked up one pitching win and three saves as the Berries went 6-1 in the post-season.
Swift
Current reunion with Berries
Following the Saskatoon Berries WCBL title winning victory on August 16 at Cairns Field, head coach Joe Carnahan, left, catcher Aiden Kilshaw, centre, and right-fielder Ethan Murdoch pose for a picture with the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy. Before being hired by the Berries in July of 2023, Carnahan coached baseball in Swift Current, which included serving as the head coach of Swift Current’s WCBL franchise for a number of years. He first worked with Kilshaw and Murdoch as they came up through Swift Current’s minor baseball system. Kilshaw and his family have since relocated to Saskatoon, while Murdoch still calls Swift Current home.
Going one-on-one at home
Delisle Pride base runner Kaden Burgess comes face-to-face with a New Hamburg Mustangs catcher with the ball guarding home plate on August 22 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Pride and Ontario-based Mustangs were going head-to-head during the opening day of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The Mustangs won this encounter 6-2.
Kopp brings WCBL trophy to Hilltops game
Saskatoon Berries right-handed pitcher Carter Kopp brought the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy to the Saskatoon Hilltops CJFL regular season home game on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Kopp had the trophy set up in the entrance to the football stadium for about an hour before the contest to allow fans to see the WCBL championship trophy and have their photos taken with it. Kopp also got to take part in the coin toss and a pre-game recognition for the Berries WCBL title win.
Hilltops charge to the field
The Saskatoon Hilltops make their customary entrance for their CJFL regular season home game on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field emerging out of the smoke at the opening gate of the field. The Hilltops prevailed 36-26 over the Calgary Colts on this day.
Take down
Saskatoon Hilltops outside linebacker Carson Holcomb puts the wraps on elusive Calgary Colts running back Zion Dogbe-Brown during a CJFL regular season contest on August 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Holcomb made five solo defensive tackles and one defensive tackle assist in the Hilltops 36-26 victory.
Batmen celebrate Canadian title
win
The celebration was on for the Toronto Jr. Batmen on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. They downed the Nova Scotia Marshall Workplace Law Selects 5-1 in the title game of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship to take the tournament title for a second straight year.
Batmen enjoy the perks of victory
The Toronto Jr. Batmen pose for the customary team photo on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium after winning the title game of Softball Canada’s U23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament. The Batmen finished the tourney with an 8-1 overall record.
Schaan set to do first pitch
honours
Collin Schaan, who is the President and CEO of Schaan Healthcare Products Ltd., gets set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the opening ceremonies for Softball Canada’s Men’s and Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournaments on August 26 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Collin got to throw the pitch to son Spencer Schaan, who is a veteran of the Saskatoon Merchants. The Schaan family have been stellar supporters of softball in Saskatoon. They played a big part in funding improvements to the lighting, sound system and entrance to Bob Van Impe Stadium that were completed this summer.
Special delivery
Saskatoon Brewers pitcher Greg Hill lets loose with an off-speed pitch during the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Brewers came away with a tight 2-0 victory over the Cobourg Force. The Ontario-based Force entered the tournament as the three-time defending champions.
Off to the races
Saskatoon Brewers right-fielder Ryan Olde jets down the first base line during the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. Olde showed speed and base path smarts to score his team’s first run in a 2-0 win over the Cobourg Force.
Championship good times for
Brewers
The Saskatoon Brewers posed for the customary team photo after winning the championship game of Softball Canada’s Master Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship tournament on August 29 at Joe Gallagher Field. The Brewers took the national title posting a 6-0 record.
Falcons fly high
Running back Thane Kooy sets to spike the ball after scoring a touchdown for the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons on September 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Falcons were taking part in the opening game of the high school football season at SMF Field, and they would blank the Tommy Douglas Collegiate Tigers 36-0.
Saints’ Kohlman with the pick
Ashton Kohlman, who is a defensive back with the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints, makes an interception during a game against the Centennial Collegiate Chargers on September 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Saints prevailed in this contest 30-7.
Duval on fire for Stars
Running back Roman Duval takes off on a jaunt for the Bethlehem Catholic High School Stars in a high school football clash against the Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls on September 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Stars held a 22-14 lead at halftime and rolled to a 44-22 victory after a big second half. Duval piled up over 200 yards rushing for the Stars.
Navigating traffic
Caleb Ukrainetz, who is a receiver for the Aden Bowman Collegiate Bears, jets through a swarm of players during a run in a high school football contest against the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders on September 4 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The “Friday Night Lights” game would be best remembered by the light show put on by adverse weather. This game was called with 1:42 remaining in the second quarter with the Bears leading 35-7.
