BAEL Provincial Championships - Top Performers

by Brady Turner

When it comes to Provincial Championships, there isn’t much within the baseball landscape that compares. The intensity hits an entirely new level, the passion is heightened, and players who come out on top get to feel something they’ve been waiting their entire life for. In a 6-team tournament, there isn’t much room for error and players need to be at their best from the start for their team to have a chance at taking home the trophy. In this article, we take a look at 9 players who performed under the bright lights when it mattered most and had a major impact for their team on the field. They not only performed well at Provincials, but they also have bright futures ahead on the diamond.

Sean Bavis | 2025 | RHP/OF | Calgary Cubs | Prairie Baseball Academy

Over the course of the weekend, the Prairie Baseball commit was a major contributor on both sides of the ball. He also made the potential play of the weekend, throwing out a Webber baserunner at home from LF in the semi-finals to end the game and send the Cubs to the final. At the plate he went 6 for 12 with 4 RBIs and 3 BBs. While on the mound he pitched in two games, giving up just 2 ERs over 7.1 IP. He sat 83-85 with the fastball and has been up to 88 mph with much more in the tank as he continues to fill out. His 6-foot-6, 185-pound frame immediately stands out and he will be an arm to follow as he continues to add strength and begins his collegiate career this fall.

Jace Richardson | 2026 | OF/RHP | St. Albert Cardinals | Uncommitted

Richardson had arguably the best weekend out of anyone at BAEL Provincials, and earned tournament MVP because of it. His bat was hot from the start, with a double in his first AB of the tournament, and finishing the weekend 6 for 15 at the dish with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, and 7 runs. On the mound he pitched in two high leverage situations, striking out 6 over 6.2 IP, and didn’t surrender an earned run. There’s plenty of athleticism in his 6-foot-0, 160-pound frame with room to add strength. There’s feel for the barrel in his left handed swing and the bat should have more of an impact as he matures physically. The 2026 grad is an uncommitted senior worth following as he enters his final year.

Garet Ostapchuk | 2026 | OF\RHP | Parkland Twins | Uncommitted

Despite it being a tough Provincial tournament for the Twins, Garet Ostapchuk was one of the lone bright spots over the course of the weekend. He finished 6 for 9 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and a walk. He also contributed on the mound, striking out 5 over 4 innings without issuing a walk. Ostapchuk, who was a member of Team Alberta at the Western Canadian Prospect Series last fall, stands at 6-foot-3, 180-pounds and has a frame to dream on. The athleticism is evident on both sides of the ball with room to add strength. More velocity should come on the mound as he continues to mature physically, and will be a two-way 2026 to follow as his upside is undeniable.

In a weekend filled with impact performances and players coming through in big moments for their team, Lincoln Aubin was right up there having a major impact on more than one occasion. The first-year BAEL player went 5 for 8 with a double, triple, 5 RBIs, and 4 runs. Also contributing on the mound, striking out a pair over 4.1 strong innings. Despite his stature, standing at 5-foot-5, 145-pounds, Aubin’s arm talent is indisputable. He sat 80-82 mph in his outing and has pulled down 89 mph. The 2027 grad will be in contention to make Team Alberta at the Western Canadian Prospect Series this fall, and is a name to know as we near the start of the offseason.

Cole Dickinson | 2027 | RHP/INF | Calgary Bucks | Uncommitted

Although he missed the first month of the season on the mound due to injury, Dickinson quickly became one of the top arms in the BAEL. That continued at Provincials, putting together the start of the weekend for the Bucks. He struck out 8 over 7.2 innings, giving up just 2 earned runs, and walking 2. The fastball sat 82-84 topping out at 85 mph. Filled the zone with 4 pitches, has a low-effort, repeatable delivery spinning two unique breaking balls for strikes that generated plenty of in-zone swing & miss. At 5-foot-10, 200-pounds, Dickinson is a 2027 in the BAEL that continues to trend upwards every time we see him and is a name to follow.

Kade Strandquist | 2026 | OF/RHP | Red Deer Rangers | Uncommitted

Strandquist was one of Red Deer’s top hitters during the regular season, and that continued at BAEL provincials. He went 5 for 12 with a HR and 4 runs. At 6-foot-4, 180-pounds his frame immediately stands out. There’s plenty more to come as he adds strength but his upside as an impact bat is promising. There’s some current swing & miss at the dish, but that should change as he continues to refine his approach and grow into his frame. If Strandquist can have a big offseason heading into his Senior season, he’ll be an uncommitted bat that will be physically mature enough to make an immediate impact at the next level.

Jacob Bliele | 2026 | INF | Webber Wildcats | Uncommitted

After a strong regular season, Bliele continued to be a major contributor for the Webber Wildcats at Provincials. He went 5 for 11 with a double, 6 runs, and 3 walks. His approach at the dish is what stands out. He has feel for the barrel, handling high velocity well, and a strong sense for the strike zone, walking the most out of anyone on the Wildcats through the regular season. At 5-foot-10, 150-pounds, added strength will go a long way in having more power output at the plate. He’s a 7.1 runner, the speed plays on the bases, and he moves well laterally on the infield. With one of the better approaches at the dish in the BAEL, Bliele will be an uncommitted Senior to keep tabs on.

Landon O’How | 2026 | C/1B | Calgary Bucks | Uncommitted

O’How started off the year as arguably the hottest hitter in the BAEL. Although the bat cooled a little bit midway through the season, he picked it right back up when it mattered most at Provincials. Going 6 for 12 with a double and 5 RBIs, accounting for 33% of the Bucks RBIs on the weekend. At 5-foot-10, 190-pounds, there’s some power to his pull side with more to come and he has looked strong behind the dish all year, controlling the running game well, with a 76 mph arm and 2.04 POP time at our preseason camp. O’How, who was a member of Team Alberta at the Western Canadian Prospect Series last fall, has been trending upwards both at the plate and behind the dish.

Nathan Vennard | 2026 | OF/RHP | Red Deer Rangers | Uncommitted

Vennard's bat has taken major strides over the last year or so and was a big part of Red Deer’s success during the regular season and at BAEL Provincials. At the dish he went 5 for 14 with a triple, homerun, 3 RBIs, and 2 runs. There’s some legitimate power output to his pullside, as he elevates with authority on a regular basis, finishing the season 2nd in the BAEL in homeruns. There’s some swing and miss, but he walks just as much as he strikes out so finding an adjustment to soft stuff will go a long way. At 6-foot-0, 175-pounds there’s some upside on the mound as well, with a loose arm and low-effort delivery. Vennard is one of the more intriguing 2026s in the BAEL and if he continues to trend upwards, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s a top bat in the BAEL next season.