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SWBL: Dodgers racking up hits, wins

By Robin Wark

The Oak River Dodgers have come out swinging this season.

The South West Baseball League team has been racking up hits, which has allowed it to start the 2026 campaign with a 4-0 record. As of June 1, the Dodgers averaged a league-high 13.75 runs per game.

“We hit the ball hard,” Oak River manager Derek Shamray said between the team’s two wins last week. “Even our outs are very hard-hit balls.”

The Dodgers returned everyone from last year’s team, which has contributed to the team’s strong chemistry and camaraderie. As of June 1, Kaden Rozdeba leads the Dodgers with 13 runs batted in. Duncan Paddock had nine RBIs while Mitch Battersby had collected seven and Ty Paddock six. In addition to hitting, Shamray said the team is solid defensively.

To its veteran core, the Dodgers have added veteran hurler Anthony Friesen. He previously played for the Dodgers at the AAA level. Friesen joins the squad from the Border Baseball League’s Pilot Mound squad, which is not fielding a club this season. In 7.33 innings of work this season, as of June 1, Friesen has a win, a save and seven strikeouts.

“He’ll definitely eat some innings and be a huge addition,” Shamray said.

The Dodgers have also added Cody Wielgosh and Burke Dunits. Wielgosh is a Beausejour product who plays for Valley City (N.D.) State University. Dunits is a high schooler hailing from Oakburn. As of June 1, he had seven hits in eight plate appearances. Shamray said “the ball explodes off his bat.”

The Dodgers hosted the Reston Rockets on June 2 after the Banner deadline. The team takes on the defending league champs, the Boissevain Centennials, on June 7.

The Oak River squad pounded out 23 hits on May 26 on the way to a 28-8 win over the Virden Oilers. Rozdeba, Ty Paddock and Mitch Battersby all hit home runs for the Dodgers. Rozdeba drove in six runs, while Paddock and Battersby each pushed four across.

Duncan Paddock had three runs batted in. Chase Anderson started and earned the win with five innings of work. Rozdeba and Ty Paddock also pitched for Oak River.

On May 30, the Dodgers held off the Rivers Comets to win 12-10 on the road. Oak River led 10-7 after six innings and 12-7 after the top of the seventh. Rozdeba had four RBIs. Ty Paddock hit a home run. On the mound, Dylan Schroeder earned the win with 5.66 innings pitched. Rozdeba and Ty Paddock also threw, with Rozdeba picking up the save.

Rivers Comets

As of June 1, the Rivers team had a 3-2 record. The Comets were to play in Brandon, against the Young Guns, on June 2, after the Banner deadline. On June 5, the Comets are in Wawanesa.

The Comets jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on May 26 against the Brandon Cardinals. They went on to beat the hosts 7-2. Nathan Espenell and Jack Hutton each drove in two runs for Rivers. Pitching for the Comets, Scott Beever struck out nine and allowed six hits over seven innings.

On May 30, the Comets fell 12-10 to the Oak River Dodgers. Rivers led 6-5 after the first inning, but trailed 12-7 heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Comets scored three runs but were unable to complete the comeback. Layton Veitch had three RBIs for Rivers.

On May 31, the Comets beat the Reston Rockets 13-0. In a complete game performance, Hayden Mackedenski struck out nine and allowed four hits. Jase Wareham hit a home run and racked up five RBIs. Owen Wareham also drove in two runs.

Hamiota Red Sox

The Hamiota Red Sox fell 7-2 to the Reston Rockets on May 29 on the road. Kayden Sutherland and Carter Loewen each pitched for Hamiota and each struck out three batters.

The Red Sox visit the Souris Cardinals on June 5 and the Deloraine Royals on June 7. They host the Brandon Young Guns on June 10.