By JOE McFARLAND

Simon Baker and the Sylvan Lake Gulls walked into the 2025 Western Canadian Baseball League season with one thing on their mind: win a championship.

After a record-breaking 44-win season in 2024, the team was upended by the eventual champion Okotoks Dawgs in their third-straight West Division final.

For his part, Baker is doing everything he can to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

The Cochrane native and Webber Academy alum has been a consistent force at the plate for the Gulls, hitting .259 with four home runs, 17 runs batted in and six stolen bases in 32 games.

He has also contributed on the mound, posting a 1.58 earned run average in five appearances, striking out 10 batters.

The 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase MVP and Gonzaga University outfielder joined us early in the season for an edition of “In The Dugout” for Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast, leading to our latest 7^th Inning Stretch.

1. How does it feel being back at Gulls Stadium for another summer?

It’s a great feeling. I was looking forward to it all year and now it’s here. Hoping to make the most of it and get a ‘ship.

2. Any goals or aspirations this season?

I always hope to swing it good and play good defense. But the biggest goal is to beat the Dawgs this season.

3. Walk us through your college season and what you’re coming back from?

I was at Gonzaga this year for my freshman year. I redshirted there, so I didn’t get to play but got a lot better and got a lot of swings in. I’m excited to go back and play in some games.

4. What’s it like redshirting and what did you take away from it?

Yeah, you always hope to play so it’s a little frustrating but you try to make the most of it and get better. At Gonzaga, we have really good facilities so I tried to use that as much as I could and just find a way to get better every day.

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5. You were teammates with Nathan Flewelling last year with the Gulls and down at the Canadian Futures Showcase. What have you taken away from his journey as you look to chase the baseball dream?

Me and Flew have been good friends for a couple of years now and I’m super-happy for him and all the success he’s having. I hope to follow suit in years to come … that’s the goal.

6. What’s your favourite thing to do on the bus?

It depends. If it’s a late night or early morning, I definitely catch up on some sleep. I love playing Mafia on the bus on a longer roadtrip. Movies, anything to pass the time. It’s pretty fun.

7. Do you have a prediction for yourself or for the team this summer?

I expect us to go and win the ‘ship. That’s always the goal. Every year, that’s the expectation so we have to go out there and do it.