On the road for most of the summer, the Lloydminster 13U AA Prairie Pirates turn to home-cooking this weekend as they host Baseball Alberta’s Tier 2 provincials Aug. 1-3 at the Driven Energy Legion ballpark.
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“I think it’s an opportunity to give it our best shot and not have any excuses with it,” said Pirates coach Trent Kusch. “No worry about not being in our own beds, our own homes.
“Even when we hosted (a weekend block of games) a couple of weeks ago, we probably had 100 fans out cheering us on, watching our 6 p.m. game, so it just gives the boys a little more energy and a little more effort and go at ’em. Because they know it’s not just immediate family, but it’s the whole community around them for this. Playing at your home diamond, it gives you more a sense of comfortability in knowing what to expect at all times.”
Lloydminster’s two oldest players, Khessler Foster and Sam Purser, have had a good read on what to expect in their second and final year of 13U ball.
“Khessler and Sam are our only two second years, and that kind of says a lot about our group, that they can be a top 10 team in the province at 13U, with having so many first years,” Kusch said.
In trying to encourage those rookies, he has told them it’s difficult to replicate the success they had at the 11U level last year, especially at bat.
“Whereas with Khessler and Sam, you notice — yeah, they had their downs a little bit at the beginning of the year — but now they’re crushing the baseball, and the other boys don’t quite understand that,” Kusch said. “But that’s what second years are supposed to do, lead by example and lead by purpose. You see that with Sam and Khessler, with their effort and their swings and approaches at the plate.”
Last summer, Foster was part of the Lloydminster Twins Reds’ team that won the
13U AA Tier 2 provincial championship.
Multiple members of this year’s Pirates played with the Lloyd clubs that captured the 2024 provincial gold and silver medals at the 11U AA Tier 3 level.
This weekend in the Border City, joining the host Pirates in the six-team 13U AA provincials are the Consort Cubs, Hanna Wildcats, Lacombe Dodgers Blue, Parkland Twins Blue and St. Albert Cardinals Red.
Lloydminster’s first game is at 3 p.m. Friday against Hanna.
Opening ceremonies are set for 6 p.m., after which Consort meets St. Albert.
Lloyd’s other preliminary game is on Saturday at 9 a.m. against Parkland.
Playoff-round action is scheduled for Sunday, through the 6 p.m. final.
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