NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks infielder Tyler Vanneste swings at a pitch in a 2-1, 10th inning win at Athletic Park over the Swift Current 57s on July 28.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
It’s a bittersweet time of year for the oldest players on WCBL teams.
With the playoffs getting underway Wednesday, those graduated or too old for next season get ready for their final games of school/summer ball before the next steps begin.
The feeling of excitement and also savouring the moment is embraced in the Medicine Hat Mavericks’ locker room with their oldest players as they face the Regina Red Sox in the first round.
“I kind of had it in the back of my mind all season that it’s my last year,” Aaron Vulcano said. “At the end of the day, it still is same game, the same concept with how I go about warm up and stuff. Just thinking about this being my last playoffs, make sure you don’t waste any time. But when I’m on the field, like in the box, I just clear my mind and go play just another game.”
Aaron Vuclano is one of eight seniors on the Mavs’ roster entering the playoffs, with some like outfielder Jeremy Freeman Jr., infielder Johnny Vulcano and pitcher Xander Roberts still holding college eligibility. Whereas for Aaron Vulcano, fellow outfielder Micah Dvorak, infielder Tyler Vanneste, pitcher Luke Barrientos and catcher Jaden Babiuk, this playoff run is it.
“I’ve tried not to think about it,” Dvorak said. “It’s good to be there but I’m just trying to go out and have as much fun as I can before possibly my time is up. Spending time with the guys, hopefully bring one back.”
It’s the third playoff run in Medicine Hat for Vanneste in his fourth season in the WCBL, playing for the Edmonton Prospects in 2022. He’s been looking forward to the postseason since May.
“The energy is different, I love the energy for playoffs, everyone gets more amped,” Vanneste said. “Each team brings more and more and the fans are going to be electric. So that’s what I’ll miss, is the playoff atmosphere. so it’s gonna be fun, one last shot.”
Vanneste was on the 2023 Mavs who made the run to the WCBL finals, sweeping the Red Sox in the first round before downing the Moose Jaw Miller Express in three games in the second round. They lost in Game 3 of the WCBL finals to the Okotoks Dawgs.
Vanneste says he only has two guaranteed games left and he’s looking to play for more.
“That’s about all I got left so I want to get six, seven, eight or nine games, however many it’s going to take and I want to hoist that trophy at the end of the year and go out with a bang,” Vanneste said. “That’s been my goal from the get go.”
As for what it will take for the Mavs and Vanneste to get back to the finals? A group effort, he says, will be their key to get their shot at the ultimate prize.
“We just have to stay together as a group. We pitch it well, we play defence well, we hit good, so good things are going to come,” Vanneste said. “We have a good squad. I like all the guys we got left here right now, and so if everyone does their part, we’ll just keep rolling.”
The Mavs’ veterans have led them all season, with Freeman Jr., Aaron Vulcano and Vanneste anchoring the top three slots in the lineup for the majority of the season. As they have all season, head coach Jonathon Thornhill says they’ll go where their older players lead them.
“It’s going to be those veteran guys who will step up like they have all year,” Thornhill said. “I don’t worry about it one bit, it will be fun to rely on them as well.”
While Aaron Vulcano has thought about this being his last season in the league, he’s also allowed himself to think about what it would mean to end his school career on the highest of notes.
“All these guys on the team, they want it really bad,” Vulcano said. “It’s one of the teams I’ve been on that wants it the most. So it being my last season, it’d be fun to go on a high note for a last ride.”
Game 2 of the series goes tonight in Regina and, if needed, a decisive Game 3 would be Friday back at Athletic Park.
