(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Season begins Thursday

Sylvan Lake Gulls optimistic for another deep playoff run

May 28, 2025 | 10:38 AM

Sylvan Lake Gulls veteran pitcher Hunter Jones wants to deliver a championship to the town more than anything.

Since the team’s inception in 2021, they’ve come close multiple times, falling short in the West Division Final in 2022, 2023, and 2024, each time to the Okotoks Dawgs.

Besides the lake, beaches, plenty of sunshine, and of course, the fans, there’s one thing that keeps bringing back veteran players to the Gulls and that’s to capture a title for one of the most passionate fanbases in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

“It’s like how bad Edmonton wants the Oilers to win a Stanley Cup or how bad Canada wants a Stanley Cup. That’s how I feel about bringing a title to Sylvan,” Jones said prior to the Gulls’ exhibition tilt against the Red Deer Riggers on Tuesday.

“That’s been my goal every season here is to bring a championship to Sylvan. The fans and the town deserve it, but it’s always the Dawgs in round two… I say this every year but I think this is the year. Chatty put together a great team, there’s a lot of new faces and only a hand full of returners.”

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They will begin the 2025 season on Thursday, May 29 at Gulls Stadium at 7:05 p.m. against the Energy City Cactus Rats out of Spruce Grove, formerly the Edmonton Prospects.

(rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

They’ll look to build off their 2024 campaign that saw the Gulls assemble one of the best, if not the best team in franchise history.

Loaded with talent on the mound and at the plate, the Gulls won the president’s trophy as the best team in the regular season with a 44-12 record. This was the first time the Gulls had ever done so since entering the WCBL.

So far, they have Red Deer’s Gavin Galenza coming back, who was an important piece last year at the plate and as a catcher. They’ll also have outfielder Simon Baker and fan favourite Matty Fung who will provide leadership to the squad.

“I’m super excited to be back,” said Fung, who’s in his last year of eligibility. “We’re always pretty strong, so I’m just excited to get the season going. Everyone is excited. I keep telling all the new guys that this is the best place to play summer baseball.”

Outfielder Brock Tijerina, pitcher Jaxon Zanolli, infielder Cleary Simpson and pitcher Nick Veselinovic are also locked in.

Meanwhile, superstar pitcher Josh Tucker will return to the mound. The southpaw was one of the WCBL’s top pitchers the last three years setting the league strikeout record with 91 in 2022.

“I think these guys need to understand we keep asking them to come back for a reason,” said Gulls general manager and head coach, Jason Chatwood. “They don’t need to try to do anything different than what they’ve done for us in the past. They just need to be leaders and help get other guys comfortable with Sylvan Lake. They always do a great job with that.”

Some of the new players fans can get excited about includes infielder Ollie Obenour who suits up for Washington State University.

Jake Martinez, a centre fielder from the University of Texas Arlington, is also expected to be an important piece.

Chatwood explained his excitement level for the season always elevates as players start to arrive. Most arrived just days ago.

He was busy in the offseason signing players to come to Sylvan Lake. However, as every year comes and goes, more players, especially south of the border, are asking to be a part of the organization. For Chatwood, it’s all about finding players who are the right fit.

“We try to build our rosters a certain way and have guys who play hard, really care, and want to get better,” Chatwood said. “The season happens so fast, so I think the biggest thing is trying to get the guys close, build chemistry, and try to build a culture where they show up wanting to play every day.”

No matter what the season has in store for them, Gulls fans and the community of Sylvan Lake have continued to show up and that’s left a lasting impact on the players.

“I love this place,” Jones added. “My goal is to live in the States and start a life out there but if I had to be somewhere in Canada, it would definitely be here. I have a great host family who loves me and the fans will take us out on their boats. We’re celebrities out here and I cherish every second I get out here.”