Local squad finishes strong in Sherwood Park
The Medicine Hat Mavericks claimed the Rawlings Cup U14 championship in Sherwood Park after a composed, error-free performance in the deciding game. The Mavericks finished the tournament with a 4-1 record, defeating Black Gold in the final while relying on timely hitting and steady pitching.
Medicine Hat added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to build a lead the team then protected by holding Black Gold scoreless over the final two innings. The championship game emphasised small-ball fundamentals and situational defence — the Mavericks made no errors in the field.
"Bishop was named the 14U tournament MVP."
Standout performers and key moments
Several local players contributed to the title run. Riley Sherstabetoff drove in two runs in the final and ended the tournament among the team’s key producers. Sherstabetoff, Drew Tame and Diesel Bishop each recorded two hits in the championship game, with Bishop earning tournament MVP honours for his overall play.
The Mavericks had earlier advanced to the final after a convincing semifinal win over the host Sherwood Park Athletics, a 13-2 victory in which Drew Tame collected three hits and pitcher JJ Heppner struck out nine batters over four innings. That semifinal performance carried momentum into the final, where Medicine Hat executed cleanly on both sides of the ball.
- Final result: Medicine Hat defeated Black Gold in the U14 Rawlings Cup final (Medicine Hat went error-free)
- Tournament MVP: Diesel Bishop
- Semifinal: Medicine Hat 13, Sherwood Park 2 (Heppner: 9 Ks in 4 IP)
Tournament timeline
The Mavericks opened Rawlings Cup play with an 8-6 win over the Edmonton Expos on Friday, then suffered their lone loss of the tournament later that day against Black Gold, a 5-3 result. Medicine Hat rebounded Saturday with a 5-4 win over the Parkland Twins before routing the Sherwood Park Athletics in the semifinal and returning to the final for a rematch with Black Gold.
| Game | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Opening game | Edmonton Expos | 8-6 (W) |
| Later Friday | Black Gold | 5-3 (L) |
| Saturday | Parkland Twins | 5-4 (W) |
| Semifinal | Sherwood Park Athletics | 13-2 (W) |
| Final | Black Gold | Medicine Hat (W) |
What this means for Medicine Hat baseball
The Rawlings Cup is an annual Baseball Alberta showcase designed to spotlight Alberta’s top 14U and 16U talent in front of provincial scouts and Western Canada Prospects Series evaluators. The Mavericks’ title run — particularly the error-free championship performance and Bishop’s MVP recognition — positions Medicine Hat’s U14 cohort as a team to watch as players advance through the provincial pipeline.
Beyond individual accolades, the tournament reinforced the value of depth and pitching in tournament play. The Mavericks’ combination of multi-hit games from their top batters and a string of effective pitching outings were decisive across the four wins that delivered the title.
Baseball Alberta organised the four-day tournament, which ran Aug. 20-23 in Sherwood Park. The Rawlings Cup has become a regular stop on Alberta’s youth baseball calendar since its inception in 2022. While Medicine Hat celebrated the U14 crown, the St. Albert Cardinals took the 16U championship at the same event.
For Medicine Hat supporters and families, the result is a tangible sign that the city’s youth baseball programs continue to develop players who can compete across the province, and provides momentum heading into the next season and further scouting opportunities for local talent.
