NORTH BATTLEFORD — In the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League semifinal, the Beavers laid it on the line in a must-win game July 22 to advance to the championship final in a bid to retain their title as league champions. After losing an extra-inning game one to Standard Hill Lakers, if there ever was a statement win, game 2 was it.
In a decisive 18-5 victory, the North Battleford senior men’s team ensured its playoff quest would continue. A deciding game three took place July 24 and once again the Beavers demonstrated their desire to be in the championship final as they took game three by a score of 11-8 in the third semifinal game, sending them to the NSRBL final.
The league final series will be a battle of the best as the Beavers face off against the Unity Cardinals, who also sailed through their league playoff series. Repeating as league champions, the Beavers know they have their work cut out for them as the Cards are the only team to beat them in regular season.
The final series games were July 28 in Wilkie, as that is the home diamond for the Cardinals this season due to their ongoing diamond renovation. Game two takes place at Beaver Lions Stadium on July 30 and a third and deciding game takes place Aug. 6 back in Wilkie.
Aug. 8-10, the Beavers will travel to Assiniboia to compete in senior AA tier 2 provincial championship in a four-team round robin that includes the Cabri River Rats, the Findlater Braves and the hometown Assiniboia Aces. The Beavers first provincial game takes place at noon Aug. 9.
