"Our guys played their hearts out."  The words of Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Head Coach Ray Chadwick following his teams 4-3 defeat in the final of the 2008 Canadian College Baseball League Championship.   Chadwick's  crew lost the final to the host Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs at Nolan Field.

TRU mounted a late comeback.  They had the bases loaded in both the 5 th and 8 th innings.  " We left eleven runners on base with 7 of them being in scoring position." stated Chadwick.

The WolfPack were threatening in the top half of the 9 th inning. They had two men on when 4 th year outfielder Anthony Cros (Montpellier, France) stepped into the batters box.  "Anthony hit the double in the ninth and we had the tying run on 3rd and winning run on 2nd and couldnt get them in. Dillon Morgan hit a linedrive to left that the outfielder made a diving play to win the game. " said Chadwick.

CCBC First team All-star Nic Miskin (RHP, 1st year, North Vancouver BC) was tagged with the loss.  Miskin went four innings, giving up 5 hits, 4 runs and striking out one. He was replaced by fellow All-star Lee Ingram (4 th year, RHP, Penticton BC), who pitched four innings, striking out 4 and surrendering two hits.

The Dawgs regained the CCBC Title which they lost two years ago to TRU.  The WolfPack or Prairie Baseball Academy have won the league title the last four years.

The loss ended the WolfPack careers of five players: Scott Atherton (RHP, White Rock BC), Anthony Cros (OF, Montpellier, France), Torrie Watters (OF, Langley BC), Lee Ingram (RHP, Penticton BC) and Alex Ponich (OF, Penticton BC).  Chadwick is hoping that they move onto either U.S. College for a final year of eligibility, have their name called in next months Major League Baseball Draft or get a job in minor pro.

Saturday's (May 17) game was also the final one for 6-6 RHP Matt Bannister with TRU.  Bannister has committed to the UBC Thunderbirds of the N.A.I.A. for the Fall.  " Bannister chose to move on to UBC because of financial reasons. They have scholarship money for school and there are no fees for baseball as it is here." said Chadwick.

The WolfPack boss is already looking ahead to the fall. He says he has 6 to 8 recruits who he's looking at bringing in.