Winkler Athlete Making A Splash In Western Canada

Winkler resident Tristan Peters is making waves in the Western Canada Baseball League (WCBL).

This past week, Peters helped lead the Okotoks Dawgs to the WCBL championship for the first time in a decade. Peters was also named playoff MVP after an outstanding season finishing the playoff run batting .313, with six runs, four RBIs and three stolen bases in eight games. He was also second in the league for home runs as a first-year player.

"When I struggle I'm not very confident," he explains. "This season has helped build my confidence... I try not to be arrogant, but confidence helps me hit better, helps me play better."

A long-time baseball player, the Winkler-native worked his way through the Winkler Minor Baseball program and high school sports, eventually playing for Team Manitoba before being picked up by the WCBL Okotoks Dawgs. "I just realized I could get more opportunities there and there was a lot better baseball to be played, which ended up making me a better athlete."

His latest success was proof, "my hard work is paying off," Peters adds.

The Dawgs earned the title after winning game two of the final series 8-6 over the Regina Red Sox.

"This playoff run I think I just hit well situationally. I got on base at good times, and the rest of the team took it from there," Peters said. "We all swung it really well, and our pitching was phenomenal."

Okotoks battled back from 3-1 and 5-4 deficits to earn the title.

"These guys, like we said all year long, they're grinders, they're resilient," says Head Coach Mitch Schmidt. "We're down at one point, and what did they do? They didn't quit, they battled."

Looking ahead, Peters is attending and playing for the Chandler-Gilberg Coyotes in Arizona and hopes to earn a scholarship to play for his dream school, Arizona State University, or be drafted to play professionally.

"Playing hard and working hard," Peters says of his gameplan heading into the next school year. "Trying to be mentally strong and, the biggest thing, having confidence in myself."