From the Nest #012

Published July 31st, 2025

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ITS PLAYOFF SZN

Playoff tickets officially went on sale to the general public yesterday, and we’re excited to welcome fans for another unforgettable postseason at Gulls Field! Click the link below for more information about the WCBL Playoffs and how to secure your seats.

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It’s been an eventful couple of weeks for our Sylvan Lake Gulls, both on the field and off. We started this stretch against the Ft McMurray Giants in a game that saw the Gulls come within 1 pitch of a no-hitter. It was a bit disappointing to see that slip away, but the Gulls did come away with a 5-0 win.

The next day the same two teams went at it again, but this time the Giants turned the tables and knocked off the Gulls by a score of 5-2. Game three of this mini-series hurt a bit, as the Gulls led 1-0 going into the 9th inning and saw Ft Mac tie the game. Off to extra innings where we saw the Giants hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 10th. The Gulls did get one run back, but couldn’t get a second and dropped the game 3-2.

The following day the WCBL held their annual All-Star game in Okotoks. Six Gulls players represented Sylvan Lake at the game which saw the Eastern Stars knock off the West by a score of 10-3 in a game that only went 6/innings, because of rain.

The league was right back in action last Sunday and saw the Lethbridge Bulls come to town, in a game that could possibly be a preview of the first round of the playoffs. This was another rain-shortened game, but the Gulls came out with a vengeance and knocked off the Bulls 12-0 in the 6-inning game. In this game we got to see newly added third baseman, Antony Gilbert hit his first home run as a Gull. He also doubled, driving in 3 runs. Junior Garcia also had home run and a double and knocked in 4 runs.

Monday saw the Gulls change pace a bit as they held their Annual Golf Tournament. In spite of some late afternoon rain it sounds like it was a great day. Lots of fun was had, and money raised, which will go to local groups to assist with various projects. And by all reports, no-one ended up in the pond on the 15th hole, or any other pond around Alberta Springs.

Tuesday’s game against Brooks was rained out, so the Gulls had to wait til Wednesday to get back on the field, where they faced the first place Okotoks Dawgs. This was a huge game and Sylvan fans were treated with the return of original Gulls player, Cleary Simpson. He’s been back in town for a while, but was recovering from an injury. He was a welcome boost to the Gulls line-up. (For those of you unaware, Cleary has the distinction of hitting the first ever home run at Pogadl Park.) In this game the Gulls got off to a huge start, scoring 4 runs in the first inning. However, the Dawgs being the Dawgs, scratched away at that lead and scored a couple of runs in the fifth, and a couple more in the sixth, to tie the game. The Gulls went up again by a run in the seventh, only to see Okotoks match that in the top of the eighth. Sylvan managed 2 more runs in the bottom of the eighth, before the combination of Mickey McClaskey and Jakob Rochelle shut down the Dawgs in the ninth, for a 7-5 Gulls win.

Thursday saw the Gulls play their first of a pair of double-headers this week. Energy City Cactus Rats were in Sylvan to play two games, but the Rats were officially the home team, because their new stadium has not been completed. Game one was not what the Gulls wanted, as they dropped a 9-1 decision. They gave up 6 runs in the third inning and the game was pretty over. Sylvan did get 1 run back in the sixth, but then gave up 3 in the bottom of the inning. Game #2 saw the Gulls get back on track and they bounced back with a 4-3 win, to split the 2-game set.

Saturday saw the Cactus Rats in Sylvan again, but this time the Gulls were back to being the home team. This game was a bit strange, and saw the Gulls score in the first inning, without getting a hit. The Rats tied the game in the second, and then scored a pair of runs in the seventh, to go up 3-1. The Gulls came up in the bottom of the seventh, still without a hit, but they did respond. Aided by a walk, a hit batter, an error and three hits, the Gulls put up 4 runs to go ahead 5-3. That’s how the game ended.

Sunday saw another double-header, this time against Ft McMurray. Game one saw the Gulls win convincingly by a score of 12-2. Pitcher Josh Tucker had an overpowering outing, as he struck 14 Giants batters, in 6 1/3 innings. A new addition to the Gulls, Red Deer product Luke Schmitt, finished things off. The Gulls offense also came alive, as they pounded out 18 hits. Tripp Ray led the way with two big home runs, while collecting 6 RBIs. Bryce Turner also added 3 RBIs.  Every Gulls player in the line-up, aside from Rowin O’Connor, who was a late game substitution, had at least one hit. Game 2 was more of the same for the Gulls. Ten more hits, another home run from Junior Garcia and another strong pitching performance, this time from Leeroy Taveras, who struck out 10 Giants. The only blip for Leeroy was a seventh inning solo home run he gave up. Reece Usselman entered the game in the seventh and closed it out. An 8-1 win finishes off the day and this two week stretch.

The Gulls are now in second place, two games behind Okotoks and 1/2 game ahead of Lethbridge, as we enter the final week of the regular season. Some big games coming up this week, including matches against Okotoks and Lethbridge. The Gulls could still finish anywhere from first to third, so it’s gonna be an exciting week. Go, Gulls, Go!!!

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Used Equipment Drive – Thursday, July 31

Sponsored by Broker Link, we’re hosting a Used Equipment Drive to help families and players in our community who need support. Fans are encouraged to bring their gently used baseball gear to donate- because every player deserves the chance to play this beautiful game! Look for the Gully Wagon parked at Gate A on the ramp to drop off your donations as you enter the stadium.

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Donors Needed!

How many of us can say… Never have I ever

• Needed surgery

• Known someone who needed surgery

• Been in a serious accident

• Know someone who was in a serious accident

• Had anemia

• Known someone being treated for anemia

• Had a bleeding disorder

• Known someone with a bleeding disorder

• Required cancer treatment

• Know someone undergoing cancer treatment

• Had a severe infection that didn’t respond to antibiotics

• Known someone with a severe infection

If you answered yes to any of the above—you already know how important blood donations are. Help ensure the supply of blood is available when it’s needed – you could be helping your family or a member of your community when they need it most.

That’s why we’re inviting you and your team to join the Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce Blood Drive Challenge. Together, let’s show the strength of our business community by giving back in a life-changing way.

Each donor must join our team online to register and book a donation appointment—this ensures your donation counts toward our Chamber’s total.

Join here: https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/join-team/SYLV0127169

Or search “Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce” on blood.ca or the GiveBlood app.

Donations take place in Red Deer.

Need a ride? We’ve got you covered! Free transportation will be available for up to 21 people on: Friday, August 15 at 10:00 AM (book your donation appointment by August 8th)

Please contact the Chamber of Commerce for more details.

Let’s make this a community effort—encourage your staff, tag other businesses on Social Media sites, and help us spread the word.

Every drop counts, and so does your leadership.

Thank you,

The Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce

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