Meadow Lake’s Brandt Spencer earns another chance on national baseball stage after injury setback

“I started the first game against Team Alberta, and I was pitching really well,” Spencer recalled. “I went three in the third innings and then got two outs in the fourth inning. And then I had a ground ball back to me, and I fell, and I broke my elbow.”

The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the tournament, though Team Saskatchewan went on to capture bronze.

Now, he will once again wear provincial colours before beginning the next chapter of his baseball career in the United States with the University of South Carolina Lancaster.

“It’s a great honor before I go away to college, getting one last time to have Team Saskatchewan across my chest and hopefully make everyone proud,” he said.

The selection caps a busy summer for Spencer, who is spending his first season with the Medicine Hat Mavericks of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

The jump to a higher level of competition has been noticeable.

“So far so well. No complaints, but definitely way different from U18 baseball in Saskatchewan,” he said.

“College hitters are a lot more patient and a lot more selective of what pitch they want. So it’s a lot harder to get them out.”

Meadow Lake’s Brandt Spencer pitches for the Medicine Hat Mavericks during a Western Canadian Baseball League game in 2026. (Image Credit: Colton Mckee Photography/ Submitted by Brandt Spencer)

One early highlight came in his first start against the Regina Red Sox, when he pitched five innings, struck out seven batters and allowed one run in a Mavericks victory.

“My first start against the Regina Red Sox, I went 5 innings, I had 7Ks, only allowing one run, and I was quite impressed with myself on how I was able to attack hitters and execute my pitches and get outs for my team,” Spencer said.

“And we ended up winning the game. So that was really good for my first start.”

Spencer credits the Mavericks organization for helping him settle into summer ball while continuing his recovery from last year’s injury.

Baseball has been part of Spencer’s life for as long as he can remember, although he once imagined a different future.

“Well, I’ve been playing baseball probably since I was 4 or as long as I could walk,” he said.

“But I always thought I was going to be a hockey player when I grew up, especially because my dad was such an amazing hockey player.”

As he got older, however, baseball gradually won out. The turning point came after joining the Lloydminster Prairie Pirates program.

“Once I went to Lloydminster to play ball, I knew that baseball was my sport and I was going to go a long way with it.”

Looking back, Spencer said his progress would not have been possible without the guidance of Dr. Craig Warren, Regan Beck and Quincy Winkler.

“Those guys I have to owe my whole baseball career so far to them,” he said.

He reserved special praise for Warren, adding, “He’s the reason I know how to pitch. He taught me how to pitch, taught me everything I do.”

The journey has also kept him connected to fellow Meadow Lake product Reid Beck, now pitching for the Saskatoon Berries. The two spent years as teammates before finding themselves on opposite sides of the Western Canadian Baseball League.

“Playing with Reid and being coached by his dad [Regan Beck], I always knew that he and I were one step ahead most of the time, especially playing Sun Devils together,” Spencer said.

“He and I just go back and forth and starts … and we both would just dominate.”

Now competing for different teams, Spencer said he is looking forward to facing his longtime friend.

After the Road to Okotoks tournament, Spencer will head south for university. His long-term goal is to keep climbing the baseball ladder.

“Hopefully, after my two years there, I can move on to a high-power D1 school and go from there,” he said.

“Maybe I can have a chance to play some professional baseball.”

For now, though, his focus remains on the opportunity directly ahead – winning the league championship with the Mavericks and another chance to represent Saskatchewan.

“Obviously, the goal is to win, but control the controllables,” Spencer said.

“I have to focus on my starts and then when I’m not pitching, be a good teammate, be a good cheerleader.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia,com

by Kenneth Cheung

Meadow Lake’s Brandt Spencer earns another chance on national baseball stage after injury setback

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