Junior Sultans set for Westerns

After a historic Game 5 win on July 29, it’s back to the diamond for the MJBL’s Carillon Sultans, who are heading to Westerns this weekend, representing Manitoba.

The team will have to make the 62-kilometre trip to Koskie Field in Winnipeg to play top teams from across the prairies, British Columbia and Elmwood, who are hosting the tournament.

“I think for us it’s kind of all about the icing on the cake with our season,” Manager Rick Penner said. “Just have a shot at some teams we haven’t seen and just have a fun weekend trying to be there at the end of it holding another championship.”

Penner said that the most difficult competition for them will probably be the Elmwood Giants, the team who took them to game five of the finals last week.

Penner said that although the team hasn’t seen the squads from the other provinces, he doesn’t think they’ll be as much of a threat, saying the Junior leagues in the west don’t have as strong a program as Manitoba.

“The key for us all year long is that we don’t take it too seriously, we have a good group of guys, and we enjoy playing together. I think that’s made us a better team, we want to keep that going, we play loose, we trust each other no matter who’s in the lineup. And so, I think guys will play for each other and will be rooting for each other whether they’re on the bench or in the game, we’re just going to have a lot of fun.”

He’s expecting bench players to get a little more playing time this weekend after some players had to sit a little longer during the playoffs.

The Sultans were able to pick up three players for the tournament, including Winnipeg South’s Matt Thompson, Pembina Valley’s Chris Peters and St. James’ Riley Hruska.

Penner said the extra three players will be a great add to the team and should fit perfectly with what the team needs, especially with all-star catcher Cody Gunderson most likely unable to play this weekend.

He also said that the team didn’t have a natural third baseman, and picking up Hruska should help.

“Just good depth guys, who can play wherever we need them to play, and just allows us to be flexible and move people around as needed,” said Penner.

Also last week were the league’s awards, with the Sultans winning several honours. All-stars included first baseman Rylan Penner, catcher Cody Gunderson, left-handed pitcher Linden Meilleur and outfielder Brady Papineau, who also won the award for the all-around top defensive player. Rick Penner also won manager of the year.

“It feels really good, obviously the key is the team championship, but players have had some really good years and so it speaks to our depth a little bit and it speaks to those players’ talents.”

“It just showed what kind of season we had and the solid group of guys that we had with us.”

Sultans pickup player Peters was also named an all-star as a utility player, and Hruska as the top third-baseman, along with winning the sportsmanship and ability award.

Dominion City’s Maddux Mateychuk was also named an all-star, winning a spot as the top right-handed pitcher with Altona, while being named the top overall pitcher as well.