Scoring double digit runs every night is proving to be quite the recipe for success.
The Okotoks Dawgs (5-0) extended their undefeated start to the 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League regular season to five games with their fifth straight performance posting double-digits runs in a 11-6 triumph over the visiting Brooks Bombers on Saturday.
“I think it’s just confidence,” said Dawgs infielder Eric Machej. “We have a lot of returners that are stepping up, (Connor) Crowson, Ricky (Sanchez), guys like that.
“Hitting is contagious and once you get your top guys going it’s pretty easy to fall in line, the bats start to get hot and that’s where we really come through.”
It’s not just the veterans delivering for the Dawgs.
Okotoks had a 7-6 advantage in the bottom of the eighth before Sanchez delivered an opposite field three-run home run followed by a Machej triple and run off a wild pitch to put the result to bed.
Benito Bonilla, a senior with Dawgs Academy along with Machej, hit his second home run of the season in a three RBI performance while Machej had four hits and two RBI.
“It’s been great, I’ve just been trusting my approach, trusting what I’ve been working on throughout the winter and it’s been paying off,” said Bonilla, who calls Halifax home.
“Last year, I had this same opportunity and didn’t play as much and this year have been given a bigger role in my senior year. I’m grateful for the opportunity and happy to showcase what I can do every day.”
Machej, a slick middle infielder, is hitting a .500 batting average with seven RBI while Bonilla's drove in five runs on two big flies and provided a clean-up hitter power presence to the lineup.
The academy standouts share more than a team in common.
Bonilla billets with the Machej family in Okotoks.
“There’s a lot of food that goes down at the Machej house, my mom is always cooking,” said Machej, an Illinois State University commit. “But, he’s a great brother, a good friend and I couldn’t ask for more.
“It’s fun to drive to the ballpark every day and lace them up with him, (Eric) Hartman I’ve known for six years now, we grew up together, it’s pretty picture perfect.
“It’s always fun playing with guys you know, buddies you’ve had for a long time. You’re always going to remember these sort of games, these sort of days in the future. It’s pretty special.”
The Dawgs have a long tradition of having academy-aged players make an impact with the college team.
Machej and Hartman, in particular, saw extended playing time deep in the playoffs in Okotoks’ championship run last summer.
“It’s more of the same,” Machej said. “I love playing here with the big boys and love playing in front of these fans. Who doesn’t like playing in front of people and performing in front of people?
“It’s always great to be able to step up and do it with a great group of guys and great group of coaches.”
Okotoks, which has outscored its opposition by a 59-15 margin through five games, is back in action Sunday afternoon in Sylvan Lake. The Dawgs’ next home date is Tuesday, June 4 in their first matchup of the season with the Edmonton Prospects.
For more information, go to dawgsbaseball.ca.
