By IAN WILSON
It’s a real Cactus Rats nest in Spruce Grove.
Work on the Energy City Metro Ballpark in the Alberta city continues as the 2026 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) season rapidly approaches.
The team released a construction update on May 7th from managing partner Patrick Cassidy.
“As we draw ever closer to the start of the 2026 season, we are of course naturally getting many inquiries about the status of the ballpark,” said the statement.
“Meetings with key suppliers, contractors, in-house work crews, and the City are ongoing as we continue addressing occupancy requirements, amenities, and the fan experience. At this time, we are unable to announce a definitive date for when the stadium will be open to the public. We recognize fans and community members are eager to hear more specific timelines, but there is still work that needs to be completed to meet all required code and safety clearances. That announcement, tentative or otherwise, will be shared by stadium ownership.”
Cassidy and the Energy City Cactus Rats have committed to playing home games this season, but the plan for admission of fans to the ballpark remains up in the air.
“Players are scheduled to report May 23 to 25. The field of play, live streaming, and our first on-field game at the ballpark remain on track and are scheduled to occur June 6 at Energy City Metro Ballpark,” said Cassidy.
Plans for the stadium were initially announced in 2020 and construction began in 2021. The project has faced numerous delays since then.
While ballpark construction continues, the roster has also been built up for the upcoming season.
Here’s a closer look at the players who are set to join the team.
BATTING
Seiji Umezawa is returning for a second summer with the Cactus Rats. In 20 WCBL games in 2025, he batted .286 with 14 runs, eight runs batted in (RBI) and nine stolen bases. The sophomore infielder is a native of Kanagawa, Japan who plays for the Skylanders at Sussex County Community College. In 78 games and 247 at bats over the last two seasons, he is batting .348 with 107 runs, 57 RBI, 28 stolen bases, 22 doubles and eight home runs.
Fellow countryman Hikaru Ikeda will roam the outfield for Energy City. He comes to the squad from Fukui University of Technology.
“Hikaru is an exciting addition to our team and will bring energy and dedication to both our offense and outfield. He’s a tireless worker committed to improving every day, and that mindset will make an impact on our club. We’re excited to have him with us this summer,” said Cactus Rats head coach Jordan Blundell.
First baseman Morgan Halliday is Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA) graduate attending Bryan College. The Edmonton product posted a .282 batting average, 45 RBI and 25 runs in 46 games with the Lions, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program.
Speedy infielder Matt Vrlak has been added to the roster from the University of British Columbia (UBC). The kinesiology student turned in a .295 batting average, 38 runs, 18 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 49 games this year.
“Matt is an athletic middle infielder who plays the game with pace and quickness. Offensively, he’s aggressive and creates opportunities with his speed and baseball IQ,” said Blundell.
Infielder Riley Kwak comes to the Cactus Rats from Bossier Parish Community College. Through 43 games of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) play, Kwak has 30 RBI, 24 runs, 11 doubles and seven long balls this season.
Utility player Dan Kawanishi is a native of Stockerau, Austria who speaks three languages and has been a lethal hitter at Arizona Western College for the last two years. He has a .327 batting average, .449 on-base percentage, 56 runs, 31 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 69 NJCAA games.
Concordia University in Nebraska will be represented by first baseman and outfielder Carson Burnett, who hails from Poway, California, as well as Calgarian Luke Wilson, who can handle outfield duties and suit up as a catcher.
PITCHING
Sebastian Mizener has signed on for a second season with Energy City. He was primarily used as a reliever with the Cactus Rats in 2025 and went 1-3 with two saves, a 7.89 earned run average (ERA) and eight strikeouts in 21-plus innings and 19 games in the WCBL. At Mayville State University, the Ancaster, Ontario righthander has been used as a starting pitcher this year. He has 20 strikeouts and two complete games in his 43.2 innings with the Comets of the NAIA.
Vauxhall Academy graduate Hudson Kozicki is a University of Mary student who will attack the strike zone this summer as a member of the Cactus Rats. The 6-foot-3 righty calls Sherwood Park home.
One pitching option for the late stages of games is Trey Nott, who made 15 relief appearances at Angelina College this year and picked up three saves and 18 strikeouts in 16 innings. Nott is a righty from Okotoks, Alberta.
Nott’s teammate, Kingston Besuijen, is also from Okotoks. The 6-foot-2 freshman made four relief appearances for Angelina College and registered four strikeouts in 5.1 innings.
Oscar Moy is a right-handed hurler from Vancouver, B.C. who is joining the Cactus Rats out of UBC. He made eight appearances and recorded six strikeouts in 6.1 innings with the Thunderbirds this season.
Eli Parsons is an Edmonton product who is coming off his freshman season with Arizona Western College. He made three appearances with the Matadors and produced six strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
Towering pitcher Matthew Sevensma, originally from Abbotsford, B.C., has spent the last two seasons taking the mound for the Crusaders at Madonna University, where the 6-foot-5 righty has worked as both a reliever and a starter.
“Matt is a big-bodied arm with a loose delivery and a bulldog mindset on the mound. He’s proven he can start games or come out of the bullpen and compete. A young pitcher with significant upside, Matt adds strength and versatility to our staff,” said Blundell.
Sussex County Community College in New Jersey is offering up Derek Apa, a sophomore from Fall River, Nova Scotia who has pitched in 34 games, including four starts, and logged 48 innings with the Skylanders over the last two years. He is 4-4 with six saves and 50 strikeouts.
Eduardo Gomez is a 6-foot-3 Puerto Rican pitcher who is studying at Taft College in California. In 17 games and 26-plus innings this season, Gomez is 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 25 Ks out of the bullpen.
“Eduardo brings a relentless work ethic and everyday mentality to our pitching staff. He’s a durable, dependable arm who will find ways to make an impact for our club all summer long,” said Blundell.
Lefty Saul Mata, a 5-foot-10 hill topper from the Bronx, has been added to the roster and will be looked upon to make starts and help lead the pitching staff. He has suited up at Iona University for the last three years and appeared in 24 games. Mata is 1-3 with one save and 39 strikeouts in 32-plus innings.
COACHING
Jordan Blundell remains the head coach and assistant general manager of the Energy City Cactus Rats.
But he’ll have some new faces in the dugout helping him out.
Blundell – who joined the Edmonton Prospects in 2018 and was named the league’s coach of the year in 2008 as the skipper of the Sherwood Park Dukes – will no longer have Nick Salahub to lean on. Salahub had been the pitching coach with the team since 2022, but he is not returning this summer.
Filling in for Salahub is Ruddy Estrella, who spent the last two summers coaching with the Swift Current 57’s. Estrella has also worked as a coach with the Brooks Bombers and Regina Red Sox.
Also joining the coaching staff of the Cactus Rats is Dion Wintjes, a former catcher with the Edmonton Prospects. Wintjes will work backstops on the team and serve as an offensive coach.
The rebranded Energy City Cactus Rats – who played in previous seasons as the Edmonton Prospects – had a 20-35 record during their first summer in the WCBL.
Home Ballpark: Energy City Metro Ballpark
Home Opener: 7:05 p.m., Saturday, June 6th vs. Brooks Bombers
2025 Regular Season Results: 6th place in West Division with 20 wins & 35 losses
2025 Playoff Results: Did not qualify
