The Regina Trappers hope “third time’s a charm” rings true in 2025 as they look to capture a national gold medal.
After winning a silver medal in 2023, the team believed it had what it took to take the top prize heading into this summer.
However, for a second year in a row, those dreams were thwarted in a classic pitchers duel with Quebec taking home a 2-0 victory.
While being on the podium is better than not, the Trappers still felt like they deserved a better fate.
“For sure, it’s a tough pill to swallow in the moment,” head coach and first baseman Nolan Dezotell told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.
“We have watched those guys get to celebrate two years in a row now, but second place in the country is something to absolutely be proud of, especially with the population we draw from and our short summers.”
With the national tournament being held in Regina next summer, the Trappers are hoping the home-field advantage will help guide them to a championship.
BLASTING BACK ONTO THE SCENE
The Trappers have quickly made a name for themselves on the national stage.
Saskatchewan’s involvement in the tournament has been spotty since winning a silver medal back in 2006.
The province didn’t send a representative again until 2014 and 2015, picking up just one win in those two years before not coming back until 2023 with the Trappers wearing the province’s colours.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for hometown product Griffin Keller, who had spent three summers with the Regina Red Sox of the Western Canadian Baseball League and helped Georgia Gwinnett College win the NAIA World Series in 2021.
He says it means a lot to everyone on the team to represent the province.
“Saskatchewan has some of the best baseball in the country that goes overlooked most of the time,” Keller said. “When we can come and compete, even excel in these national tournaments, it makes the rest of the country respect us.”
Held in Red Deer, Alberta, the 2023 tournament started with Keller winning the home run derby before Saskatchewan picked up wins against New Brunswick, Alberta and BC while losing to Manitoba in the round robin.
They then beat Manitoba in the semi-final and almost beat Quebec, if not for a walk-off home run from Raphael Gladu for a 6-5 victory.
COMEBACK FOR THE AGES
With that loss in the gold medal game still fresh on their minds, the Trappers entered 2024 with many of the same players they had the previous season.
One of the new faces was Muenster product Logan Hofmann, who was a fifth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 and had spent the last two seasons with the Aigles de Trois-Rivieres of the Frontier League.
He had represented Saskatchewan when he was younger, and the 25-year-old couldn’t wait to do it again.
“I knew going into this tournament that it means a lot to everyone to represent Saskatchewan, so they were laying their bodies on the line doing everything they could to bring home a medal,” Hofmann said.
“These tournaments are some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball, so to get the opportunity from the Regina Trappers to be able to do that again means a lot.”
For a second year in a row, the Trappers went 3-1 during the round-robin with wins over Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta, and a loss to Nova Scotia.
The win over Alberta, in the last game before playoffs, was the one that meant the most to the players.
Down 8-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, they rallied back to tie the game before winning it in extra innings.
“It was awesome to see the boys rally together and battle back,” Keller said. “It’s also a bit of a statement to the rest of the other teams competing that you can’t ever write us off.”
“No matter how bad we get down, we will always fight and claw our way back – it shows off the Saskatchewan toughness.”
They beat Alberta again, 3-2, in the semi-final to set up a rematch against Quebec.
THE ROAD BACK HOME
Hofmann was tapped in for the gold medal game and he certainly made his presence felt.
He allowed just two runs on eight hits while striking out seven Quebec batters.
However, his counterpart David Gauthier, was just a little better in allowing no runs on six hits while striking out 11 in a complete-game effort and a 2-0 victory.
In the moment, it was hard for the team to come to grips with another nail-biting loss, but looking back on it, Driscoll says they have to be proud of what they accomplished.
“Most of the guys, if not all of them, have been playing for our province in some capacity since a very young age,” he said. “To be able to do continue to it into our 20s and 30s is something not many get to do in sport, so it’s something we don’t take for granted.”
Don’t expect the Trappers to rest on their laurels either, as they will be hosting the event next summer.
The team believes having family and friends in the stands will allow them to get an upgrade on the medal haul.
“There are some expectations there to be able to play a competitive tournament at home and ultimately try to get that silver to a gold,” Hofmann said. “I’m sure the province of Saskatchewan will show out for their games, so the atmosphere should be a ton of fun.”
The Baseball Canada Men’s National Championship is scheduled for Aug. 21-24, 2025.
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