The University of Calgary Dinos are coming off their most successful fall in their program's history. “After coming off their first championship in 2023, and a final four finish in 2024, the experience we've obtained has helped us continue to build in the right direction,” says head coach Cam Williams. Playing 42 games total (5 intrasquads), the Dinos finished with an 18-9-2 record, while also going 8-5-1 against conference opponents in TRU, PBA, and OC.

Some of that experience is led by CCBC veterans on the mound in Ethan Webster, Jaydon Wielders, and Brady Fehlauer and Alex Lanigan, helping lead the Dinos to a team ERA of 4.5 in the fall season, and exactly 210 strikeouts over 210 innings. Some fresh talent with the Dinos really impressed this fall as well, red-shirt freshman Ben Foreman (Penticton, BC) only allowing 1 earned over 10 innings, Evan Gorr (Red Deer, AB) racking up 17 strikeouts in 10.1 IP, and Jake Theal (Cloverdale, BC) pitching to a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings, with 19 K's.

Offensively, the Dinos took a massive step forward compared to recent years. As a team, we hit .302 with an .805 OPS, compared to .221 BA and a .620 OPS over the fall of 2023. Back-to-back first team all-star Aiden Szautner (Calgary, AB) hit .400 (again), while sophomores Ryan Kennedy (Vancouver, BC) hit .395 with a .974 OPS, reigning second team all-star Brendan Tong (Burnaby, BC) hit .364 with a .960 OPS. Lastly, the on- and off-field leader Ben Franz (Red Deer, AB) hit .385 with a 1.007 OPS. 4th year two-way Jaydon Wielders (Kelowna, BC) had the two lone home runs for the Dinos this fall. Delta Blue Jays product, Sam Grad (Richmond, BC) led the charge for freshman offensively, finishing with a .412 BA, 1.228 OPS, followed by freshman utility player out of the Cloverdale Rangers program, Tyler Armstrong (Surrey, BC), who hit .370, got on base at a .485 clip, and also stole 4 bases which tied for the team lead.

The arm to look out for that will lead Calgary’s pitching staff is Jaydon Wielders (Kelowna, BC). “Jaydon's been our big game guy the last two seasons. Whether we need a big start in game 1 of the series, or need to take a win in games 3 or 4 of the series, Jaydon has been that guy for us the last couple of seasons. He's also been our elimination game pitcher in the CCWS, collecting the win in the championship game in 2023, and going 6.2 of 0 earned run baseball in our first elimination game against VIU in 2024, also picking up the win,” says coach Williams. 

The main bat to look out for that will be a staple for the Dinos this year is Brendan Tong (Burnaby, BC). “His first day on campus he showed he can really hit. He opened a lot of eyes in his freshman fall, which led him to a second-team all star selection after hitting .362 his freshman season. Tong hit anywhere from the leadoff spot to 5th in the order giving us plenty of flexibility as he's shown he can get on base, but also drive runners on / have productive at bats in any situation,” said coach Williams.

The fresh face to look out for this season is Kyle Hill (Richmond, BC). “Kyle is one of our most mature baseball players on both sides of the ball. He's a great runner and has a cannon in the outfield, and puts together quality at bats every single AB, which led to a .500 OBP this fall. Kyle is coming off two really good seasons with the Delta Blue Jays of the BC Premier Baseball League,” said coach Williams. 

The Dinos will start their season in Kamloops to square off against the TRU Wolfpack.