Dawgs ready for World Series quest on home field

By Lethbridge Herald on May 16, 2023.

Herald Photo by Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD PBA third baseman Nick Gravel fields a ground ball during practice on Tuesday at Spitz Stadium.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs are set to host the Canadian College World Series for the second consecutive season beginning tomorrow at Spitz Stadium.

The top-seeded Dawgs have plenty motivation this time around after losing the championship final to the Okanagan College Coyotes on home turf last season.

“I think right in the middle of the season after our midseason break we came out and we came out flat,” said PBA head coach Todd Hubka, on the stretch drive heading into the World Series championship.

“It took us about two weeks and we played some not so good baseball, and the last weekend here, you know, we started to play some good baseball again. Like we’ve been pitching well all year and defending well all year. Our hitting kind of just went quiet there right in the middle of the season. But it picked back up here at the end of the year. You know, we’re healthy and if we play to our ability, we’ve got a really good chance to win it this year.”

PBA ends up at the top of the standings every year and have a target on them from other teams to knock the Dawgs out of tournament.

“You know if we let that bother us and not play to our ability and play tight, then we won’t be raising that trophy at the end of the year,” said Hubka.

“And if we play relaxed, and play to our ability, and let the game slow down a little bit and just play baseball, we’ll be fine.”

Hubka said the teams come to play in the World Series.

“Like this is it,” said Hubka.

“The year’s over here on Monday. You know leave it all on the field. You can definitely feel the energy when the teams are on the field playing. It’s just different.”

After last year’s loss, local second baseman Logan King said going into the summer a lot of the boys were looking for revenge right off the bat, especially early on in the season.

“In the fall, we were all lifting together,” said King.

“So when we started, coach Hub said we were winning it this year, like we’re a championship team. So try and go out there and play for not only us but the alumni before us as well.”

King said you can’t look at anyone differently.

“Everyone’s going to come after us and we (have)  got to go after them as well,” said King.

“Every team’s going to bring new challenges and we (have) got to play our best every game and play it to win it.”

Starting pitcher Max Benton thinks the game plan stays the same.

“We’re big stressors on strike one, not falling behind in counts (and) coming at the guys ,” said Benton.

“So got to keep that going. Like you said, it’s been one of our strong suits all year, and speaks to the coaching staff we have here that got us prepared, and the maturity of the pitching staff to go out there and just keep the runs to a minimum and make sure we have a good shot to win the ball game every time we go out there.”

PBA will open up their against Vancouver Island University at 4 p.m. tomorrow  at Spitz Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased at ccwstickets.square.site.
Follow PBA’s social media on Facebook and Twitter for updates and schedule

The Canadian College World Series runs from May 18-22 at Spitz Stadium.