AROUND THE BASES
- Brent Radlinsky
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
PBA GOES 3-1 TO KICK OFF THE 2026 CCBC SEASON
Prairie Baseball Academy opened the 2026 CCBC season with a strong 3–1 weekend on the road in Vancouver—and while the results were there, head coach Todd Hubka believes there’s still another level to unlock.
“We didn’t play our best, but we played well enough to win three games,” said Hubka. “That’s the goal every weekend—find a way to win the series.”
Despite a grueling travel schedule that saw the Dawgs detour through Edmonton and endure a 14+ hour trip just to get to Kamloops, PBA showed resilience early in the season—something Hubka was proud of.
Pitching Sets the Tone
If there was a clear strength from opening weekend, it was on the mound.
“I thought our pitching staff pitched really well this weekend—good enough to win four games,” Hubka noted.
That dominance was highlighted in a rare 1–0 victory—something Hubka believes may be a first in program history.
“I don’t think PBA has ever won a game 1–0… that was a well-pitched game,” he said, pointing to strong outings from his staff and key defensive plays behind them.
A big factor? Getting ahead early.
“When you throw strike one, everything changes—it gets the game moving and puts you in control,” Hubka added.
Offense Still Finding Its Rhythm
While the pitching delivered, Hubka believes the Dawgs’ offense has more to give.
“I think one of the strengths of our team is going to be the hitting… but we took a step back this weekend,” he said.
The issue wasn’t talent—it was approach.
“We’re taking our thoughts to the plate instead of just reacting. When we slow it down and play with a smile, we’ll be fine.”
Early Standout: Will Turner
One bright spot at the plate was Will Turner, who opened the season hitting .438.
“We expect that from him… I still think he’s got more there,” Hubka said. “He’s starting to feel the changes he worked on, and when he goes, we go.”
A Team Still Growing
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway? PBA just getting started.
“We haven’t played our best baseball yet,” Hubka said. “We’ve got a lot of room to grow, and I think we have the team to keep getting better every game.”
With a demanding travel schedule ahead—including another road trip to Vancouver Island—PBA will look to build on its early momentum and continue climbing in the CCBC standings.
If opening weekend was any indication, this group has the pieces to be a serious contender in 2026.
PBA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Congratulations go out to PBA Players of the Week Jackson Lascelle and Zach Willard who helped the PBA win 3 of 4 over the University Baseball Club (UBC in Vancouver over the weekend.
Willard pitched 6 strong inning striking out 7 of the 23 batters he faced and only walking one in PBA's 1-0 win over UBC on Saturday afternoon.
Lascelle was 4-10 over the weekend with 5 RBI's including a 3 run home run on Sunday morning in Sunday mornings 4-2 victory over UBC
Legends of Baseball Gala
The Canadian Baseball Legends Gala is set to be one of the premier events of the 2026 baseball season in Lethbridge. Taking place May 27 at the Sandman Signature Hotel, the evening will celebrate the game’s rich history while bringing together fans, players, and supporters of baseball from across the region.
The Gala event is a part of the Canadian Grand Slam of Baseball Showcase and Festival which also includes the Canadian College Baseball World Series from May 21-24 at Spitz Stadium
The night will feature special guests, great storytelling, and an opportunity to connect with the game in a unique way—all while supporting the continued growth of baseball in our community Click on the link today and purchase your tickets so you don't miss out on the baseball event of the year!
NEXT UP
The team gets back on the bus Thursday morning as they are headed to Nanaimo British Columbia to take on the Vancouver Island Mariners for 4 games starting on Friday night.
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