The Sherwood Park Dukes, with a trio of Lloydminster talent, are lifting this year’s U18 AAA Alberta Baseball trophy.
The Lloydminster connection includes coach Josh Herback-South, who is in his first year at the helm. Also, utility player and batter Conner Frerichs and outfielder/batter Dario Valera.
The Dukes pulled off the win on Monday in Sherwood Park with a big 12-3 win over the Red Deer Rangers.
The coach credits the win on resilience and overcoming personnel changes, injuries and the rain affected season.
In the 5:30 p.m. championship game versus Red Deer Rangers on Monday, Aug. 3, the Dukes came out swinging 13-3 to hoist the title.
Herback-South credits resiliency as the deciding factor.
“We had some coaching changes at the beginning of the season. And dealing with the weather and the record breaking rainfall. We have had injuries to deal with. So, just overcoming adversity, the boys being resilient and buying into the culture of the program, that’s what led us to where we are at the end of the season,” says the coach.
Overall, the Dukes beat the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams to clinch the title.
The finals were held at Centennial Park and Strathcona Athletic Park from July 31 to Aug 2.
