13U AAA Wolves represent province at western, national tournaments

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This article was published 28/09/2022 (1130 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SOUTH WINNIPEG

This summer was one to remember for the Winnipeg South baseball club, which saw three of its teams win city championships in July. But the 13U AAA Wolves team had only just begun to make a name for itself.

Last month, the boys travelled to Swift Current, Sask., to compete in the National Western Championship, a tournament that welcomed eight top teams from Western Canada. The two best 13U AAA Manitoba teams took part: the Wolves played as Manitoba 1 and Steinbach’s Carillon Sultans were designated Manitoba 2.

“I had a lot of strong players this year,” said Wes Penner, head coach of the 13U AAA Wolves.

He noted that 13-year-old shortstop Riley Bullion shone brightly.

“Riley [Bullion] got off to a bit of a slow start this year, but he really worked hard all season long. He was the heart and soul of our team at the westerns. He came out and played amazing,” Penner said.

The Wolves represented Manitoba well at the western Canadian tournament, coming home with silver medals.

“Generally the teams from B.C. and Alberta are the stronger teams because of the population and the number of kids playing baseball,” Penner said. “So, when we saw our schedule and found out we were playing the No. 1 team out of B.C. for our first game, we were concerned.”

Fortunately, the Wolves had lefty pitcher Nate Zurkan at the ready. They won 7-5, then defeated Alberta 2 by a score of 7-4. They lost their third round-robin game 8-7 to Saskatchewan 8-7, but won their semi-final matchup 6-3 over the Victoria SeaWolves.

“We stepped up in the big moments,” Bullion said, adding that the game against the SeaWolves was a memorable experience.

The Wolves lost 13-3 to Alberta 1 in the tournament final on Aug. 21, a team that went undefeated all week.

“We tried to stay with them as best as we could. We actually ended up hitting three home runs over the fence that game,” Penner said.

Despite that disappointment, Penner said the Wolves had an excellent season from start to finish. He added that he prioritized fair game play this season, giving each athlete equal time on the diamond and pitcher’s mound.

“We performed really well,” said Bullion, who lives in Whyte Ridge. “Our goal was just to have fun the whole time, and we worked hard and practised hard. In the end, it all came together.”

For five Wolves, the season didn’t end at the western championships, as they were selected by Baseball Manitoba to be part of the provincial teams at the Baseball Canada national championships in Windsor, Ont., in late August.

Penner said the boys had one day after the Saskatchewan tournament to rest up, do laundry and board the flight to Ontario.

“It was kind of crazy,” Bullion said. “We had to drive back, turn around and head to the airport pretty much immediately.”

The team ended the tournament in seventh place out of 10 teams, with a record of 2-3-0. Bullion, who is “one of the team’s best players,” according to Penner, broke his tibia and fibula in the first game when an outfielder collided with him.

However, the teen is already on the mend and said he’s aiming to play hockey for Henry G. Izatt Middle School when his rehabilitation is complete.

Registration for next year’s Winnipeg South Wolves teams begins this winter. For more information, visit www.winnipegsouth.net