Okanagan Coyotes’ Vernon Pitcher Leads the Charge to Collegiate Baseball Championship Glory!

Brennan Braddick, a Vernon native, just experienced one of the fastest runs of his life, and it wasn’t on the base paths. He raced from the bullpen to join his teammates in a joyful celebration after the Okanagan College Coyotes clinched their fourth Canadian College Baseball Conference World Series title. They triumphed over the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack with a thrilling 10-9 victory.

The championship took place at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge from May 15-18. As a second-year relief pitcher for the Coyotes, Braddick watched closely as the game unfolded. “It was tense,” he recalled, especially when TRU scored two runs to get within one. But when the final groundout was made, the bullpen gate swung open, and they sprinted towards the celebration. “I’ve never run that fast,” he shared.

The Coyotes started strong, jumping to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and stretching it to 6-0 by the fifth. Although the WolfPack managed to score, the Coyotes responded with two more runs, making it seem like a comfortable match. But TRU had a different plan and pushed back hard, scoring six runs in the seventh and narrowing the gap. In the end, the Coyotes added two more runs, setting the stage for an exciting final inning.

Riley Hay, a second-year outfielder for TRU, contributed significantly with a triple that drove in two runs. His performance was commendable despite the team’s loss. Historically, the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades had led the league, finishing the regular season first, which highlighted the Coyotes’ impressive journey to the championship.

The Coyotes entered the tournament on a hot streak, winning eight of their last ten games, and maintained an unbeaten record in Lethbridge. Their journey included an early 15-5 victory over the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks, where Braddick impressed by striking out a batter with just seven pitches in his relief appearance. They continued to advance, defeating the Vancouver Island University Mariners and the Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs to reach the finals.

“We really caught fire at the right moment,” Braddick noted, reflecting on the camaraderie within the team. Aside from baseball, he is pursuing studies in carpentry at Okanagan College and plans a productive summer of work, gym time, and recreational baseball.

Looking at Braddick’s season stats, he pitched in eight games, recorded a 2-0 record, and boasted nine strikeouts in just over 11 innings. This performance has set the stage for what may be even greater achievements in the future.

Social media reactions to the Coyotes’ victory have been overwhelmingly supportive, with fans and alumni celebrating their success online. The excitement surrounding college baseball in Canada is growing, as young athletes are encouraged to pursue their passion both in academic and athletic institutions.

This win is not just another trophy; it’s a testament to teamwork, dedication, and love for the game. As Braddick said, “I owe a lot to my parents for pushing me to pursue college and baseball.” Indeed, it seems the journey is just beginning for him and his teammates.

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