It was a game of snakes and batters in the Foothills Major Baseball Association championship final.
The Diamondbacks were seeking the three-peat and their fifth FMBA title, while the Canadians were looking to avenge their 2021 championship loss to the sleeveless squad.
The best-of-three series – which offered up bragging rights for the Calgary area senior men’s league – got underway on Friday, Sept. 9th at Glen Hansen Field in the city’s northeast.
A dominant pitching performance from southpaw Joe Sergent, a former member of the Calgary Vipers who is now a coach with the Okotoks Dawgs, led the D’backs to a 5-1 triumph in the opener. Sergent registered 12 strikeouts in the victory.
The second game took place on Saturday, Sept. 10th. Righthander Tom Gayef went the distance and picked up the win for the serpents, while Alex Bishop went yard in the lopsided 11-1 clinching contest.
Alberta Dugout Stories took in some of the weekend action and snapped a few pictures along the way. Here’s a look at a few of them:
A sign recognizing Glen Hansen sits near the bleachers at the ball diamond … photo by Ian WilsonHurler Tom Gayef gets set to deliver a pitch for the Diamondbacks in Game 2 … photo by Ian WilsonJamie Langton of the Canadians gestures to his dugout after smacking a double … photo by Ian WilsonD’backs left fielder Brendon Sutherland tracks down a fly ball … photo by Ian WilsonSlugger Mike Ozga of the Canadians lines up an offering during the FMBA final series … photo by Ian WilsonThe home plate umpire prepares for another inning of play while D’backs players greet each other in front of their dugout … photo by Ian WilsonJ.P. Willner (right) waits on deck for the Diamondbacks while his teammate, Brendon Sutherland (No. 28), attempts a bunt … photo by Ian WilsonStarting pitcher Kevin Floyd throws to home plate … photo by Ian WilsonHitter J.P. Willner avoids a pitch inside during Game 2 of the final … photo by Ian WilsonNelson Lipszyc (left), Zach Bryksa (middle) and Sam Poole (right) didn’t have much to smile about during the 11-1 loss in Game 2 … photo by Ian WilsonAfter striking out 12 batters in Game 1, Joe Sergent (left) was put on third base coach duties for Game 2. He was joined by 2022 FMBA Home Run Derby champ Alex Bishop (right) here … photo by Ian WilsonAlex Regan (left) and Brent Cooper (right) play catch under the Calgary skyline between innings at Glen Hansen Field … photo by Ian WilsonLefty Zach Bryksa pitches one in there for the Canadians … photo by Ian WilsonAlex Bishop (centre) is all smiles after hitting a homer that snuck inside the right-field foul pole. The long ball, Bishop’s ninth of the 25-game campaign, established a single-season home run record in the FMBA … photo by Ian WilsonThe view from behind home plate at Glen Hansen Field … photo by Ian WilsonCanadians hitters try to solve Tom Gayef in the late stages of Game 2 … photo by Ian WilsonDiamondbacks players celebrate near the mound after completing the series sweep of the Canadians … photo by Ian WilsonThe Canadians and Diamondbacks shake hands at home plate after the series … photo by Ian WilsonAaron Kraus (47) douses teammates in champagne after the championship win, which was the D’backs third straight FMBA title. The club’s five titles represent a Purple Reign in the FMBA … photo by Ian WilsonThe Diamondbacks pose for a team photo with the FMBA championship trophy … photo by Ian WilsonA closer look at the Foothills Major Baseball Association championship trophy … photo by Ian Wilson
