The North Battleford Beavers celebrate with the trophy following their 11-5 win over the Standard Hill Lakers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Beavers Win

Champions: NB Beavers nab back-to-back titles

Aug 23, 2024 | 5:17 AM

Three young fans crouched down at the chain link fencing that surrounded the diamond and watched with rapt attention as the players from their senior North Battleford Beavers battled it out against the Standard Hill Lakers in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League championship game.

Three young fans watch closely during the NSRBL championship game against the North Battleford Beavers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

It was the seventh inning and the air at the Beaver Lions Baseball Stadium on Thurs., Aug. 22 was electric as hundreds of cheering fans watched as the evening – awash in the bright lights – progressed in a series of hits, steals and runs.

Then it happened. As a red moon hung over the city: an eruption of screams as helmets and hats flew off in celebration.

Bryce Gatzke take a photo of Kyle Palmer during the NSRBL championship game against the North Battleford Beavers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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The Beavers clinched that coveted back-to-back title.

“At the beginning of the season, we were looking to repeat,” said Coach and Player Kyle Gregoire.

A Beavers player takes position on home plate during the NSRBL championship game against the Standard Hill Lakers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“We had the team to do it again, we had definitely some hard series to go at there, but we were able to capitalize on opportunities and just excited for the guys – especially the vets and the new guys too.”

He explained that they had a couple of innings where they “cashed in some runs” and that helped spur on the team to land their 11-5 win.

“I think we got four and six runs I think in two different innings so, once we were up seven going into the…top of seven, felt pretty confident.”

Gavin Nolin runs to third base during the NSRBL championship game against the the Standard Hill Lakers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Garry Pauls, coach and player for the Lakers, said the game just didn’t go their way.

“We came out hitting the ball and putting the pressure on them like we wanted to and making them make plays,” he said.

“It started how we wanted, and we just didn’t continue on and they slowly got stronger hitting and we didn’t. “

According to Pauls, it became “a confidence thing” and although they had runners on when they needed, they didn’t get in.

“We went flat.”

Kyle Gregoire watches the play during the NSRBL championship game against the Standard Hill Lakers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

As jubilations continued on the field and Gregoire was doused in ice water, he reflected on the home win – their first since 1997.

“Being able to win it at home just means something extra,” he said of their near 30-year wait.

“That adds to it. I think also we weren’t as anxious about going a second year and trying to do it again, ‘cause we knew what to expect and what we need to do to get that outcome that we wanted and we finished it off.”

The team mascot takes a seat on his throne during the NSRBL championship game against the North Battleford Beavers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Although the Lakers came up short this time, Pauls said they don’t have plans to change their strategy.

“We have a really good team, a really young team, we had everybody here, everybody healthy,” he said.

“That’s the big thing, honestly. This league’s competitive, Battlefords obviously one of the top teams and we always expect a tough series or tough games with them.”

Gregoire said he was proud of his players and said the team increased the level of play.

A pitch is thrown during the NSRBL championship game against the North Battleford Beavers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Not just a one man show on our team, we definitely have the depth and that paid off tonight.”

As for that one moment he knew they had it?

“I would say we were down in the top of three by three off the get-go and then we knew that we had to come back and just had to pull through,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we came and we got I think…five a couple of innings later and that just made us know that we could make it happen.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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