When the final out was made on July 30 at the Centennials diamond, the Boissevain squad completed not only a finals sweep, but also reached a major milestone.
The Cents shut out the Oak River Dodgers 6-0 in the third and deciding game for the South West Baseball League championship at home. This is their fifth consecutive title, which is incidentally what the New York Yankees did from 1949-53, the longest run in Major League Baseball history.
In game three, Connor Martin of the Centennials pitched a complete game (seven inning) shutout, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out 10. In contrast, the Dodgers used three hurlers, with starter Riley Shamray taking the loss, allowing nine hits and five earned runs in three and two thirds innings of work. Dylan Schroeder and Mitch Battersby finished up on the mound.
Tyler Robertson led Boissevain in hits with three, all singles, and drove in one run. Tanner Clyne and Jay Pringle chipped in a pair of singles apiece, with Jordan Foote showing speed with a triple and two stolen bases. Austin Clyne and Griffin Albrecht each had a hit with Foote, Pringle, Robertson, Zane Sawyer, Bryan Laing and Drew Hilhorst driving in single runs.
The series started in Boissevain on July 27, and set the tone for all three games. The Centennials won the opener 5-0, with Zane Sawyer getting the complete game shutout. He scattered five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Oak River starter Kaden Rozdeba was hung with the loss, allowing five hits and four earned runs in two and two-thirds innings. In relief, Dylan Schroeder allowed the final run.
Jordan Foote had a pair of hits, including a double and drove in a team leading three runs. Tyler Robertson also had a pair of hits and Tanner Clyne had a double. Skylar Canada had one hit but made it count, taking a pitch deep. Drew Hilhorst also had a hit and an RBI.
Game two in Oak River was a closer affair, with the Centennials jumping out to a three run lead in the first, but giving up that lead by the end of the fourth. Boissevain scored three times in the sixth, with Oak River coming back with two in the bottom of the inning. The Cents added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to come up on top 7-5.
Drew Hilhorst belted a home run and drove in a team high three runs, adding another single for good measure. Austin Clyne had a single and a triple, with Tanner Clyne, Jordan Foote, Jay Pringle, Skylar Canada and Connor Martin also on the hit parade. Max Paddock had a two hit game for the Dodgers, drilling a long ball, with Kaden Rozbeda pitching in with a couple of hits.
Tyson Pringle started for Boissevain, throwing four innings, allowing three earned runs. Skylar Canada won in relief, with Connor Graham getting the save, and Jay Pringle chipping a third of an inning. Anthony Friesen threw a complete game in a losing cause.
Boissevain defeated the Brandon Cardinals, and Oak River Dodgers defeated the Rivers Comets to make the finals.
The Centennials and the Dodgers are moving on. They will both be playing in the Baseball Manitoba Senior AA Provincials in West Winnipeg. Boissevain is in Pool B and their first game is scheduled for 2:30pm against the Altona Bisons on August 7. On August 8, they will play twice, starting with the Plumas Pirates, then moving on to the Elmwood Giants. The playoffs with follow on August 9.
Having won provincials in 2025, the Centennials will also be representing Manitoba in the Senior AA Western Canadian Baseball Association Championships August 14-16 in Saskatoon.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff
