Top Moments of the Year

Published December 28th, 2024

What an incredible year it’s been! From big wins on the field to unforgettable moments with our fans and community, the 2024 season was one for the books. As we look back, we’ve rounded up the Top 5 Moments of the 2024 Sylvan Lake Gulls season – the moments that truly made this year so special.

#5 - A Masterclass in Hitting

Coming in at number five, this game was an unforgettable showcase of skill from Cooper Ciesielski, Elijha Hammill, and Nate Milk. Outfielder Ciesielski proved why he’s the best of the best, wrapping up the season as the 2024 WCBL Most Valuable Player with an incredible 13 home runs and a .382 batting average.

Final score: 15-8 at Swift Current 57’s

#4 - Hammill Steals the Show

Number 4 is all thanks to center fielder Elijha Hammill, who put on a show in the outfield and at the plate.

Final score: 5-2 vs Swift Current Berries

#3 - Tuck Can Chuck

Coming in at number three are two unforgettable milestones by left-handed ace Josh Tucker. On July 6, Tucker recorded his 200th career strikeout in a dominant outing against the Fort McMurray Giants, solidifying his place in Gulls history.

As if that wasn’t enough, Tucker kicked off the WCBL postseason with a complete game shutout against the Brooks Bombers, showing exactly why he’s one of the most feared pitchers in the league.

Tucker’s excellence isn’t new to Gulls fans. In the 2022 WCBL season, he set a league record with 96 strikeouts in just 56.1 innings, earning the Most Outstanding Pitcher award. He followed it up in 2023 by once again leading the league with 70 strikeouts.

Josh Tucker has proven time and again that he’s a pitcher fans can count on to deliver magic on the mound!

#2 - Abulhosn Walks Off

Coming in at number two, we relive a moment that sent shockwaves through Gulls Field. It’s August 11, Game 1 of the WCBL Division Final against the Okotoks Dawgs, and the tension is unbearable. The score is tied 3-3, and Logan Grant has just pulled off an incredible stolen home to tie things up.

Fast forward to the bottom of the 9th. With one out and a runner on base, Abulhosn stands at the plate with an 0-2 count. The crowd holds its breath. The pitch comes in, and Abulhosn makes contact—it’s a clean hit, and you can feel the energy shift.

The ball soars through the air as the crowd erupts in pure joy, knowing this is the walk-off that ends Game 1 on a high note. Abulhosn had done it: the Gulls win, and the fans go wild. This was a defining moment in the postseason, and one fans will never forget!

#1 - A Record-Breaking Season & the President's Trophy

And at number one, we celebrate a truly historic achievement. The 2024 Sylvan Lake Gulls ended their regular season with a record-breaking 44 victories, surpassing the previous record of 43 wins set by the Okotoks Dawgs in 2022.

In a thrilling season where every player stepped up to the plate, the Gulls finished 44-12 over their 56-game schedule, clinching the top spot in the WCBL regular season standings. This remarkable feat earned the team the coveted WCBL President’s Trophy, an honor that reflects their dominance all year long.

But the recognition didn’t stop there—head coach Jason Chatwood was also named Coach of the Year, further cementing his leadership and the team’s incredible success. This moment was a true team effort, and it will go down as one of the most unforgettable seasons in Gulls history!