NORTH BATTLEFORD — Pursuing a third straight North Saskatchewan River Baseball League championship, the North Battleford Beavers first outing did not go as planned as the Unity Cardinals, top seed in the league, handed them a game one loss.
Game one of the NSRBL final took extra innings to do so, but was also a strong statement at just how dominant both teams are, demonstrated in the league championship final series.
The Cards handed the Beavers their only regular-season losses this season and their young lineup flexed their baseball talent.
Game two took place at Beaver Lions Stadium on July 30 and it was a must-win game for the home town Beavers, whose goal of forcing a third and deciding was fulfilled with a 5-2 win over the Cards.
There will be a short rest for the Beavers as game three takes place Aug. 6 in Wilkie.
However, the Cards will be working overtime as their provincial championship takes place Aug 1-3 in Saskatoon in a seven-team event, while the Beavers don’t begin their provincial quest in Assiniboia until Aug. 8 weekend.
Will there be a new league champion, or will the Beavers stay sharp, log in their big bats and come up with another title?