The Okotoks Dawgs and Regina Red Sox have swept their way into the second round of the Western Canadian Baseball League Postseason.

The Dawgs claimed their best-of-three opening series against the Brooks Bombers with a 9-2 win at Elks Field, while the Red Sox dispatched the Medicine Hat Mavericks with a 13-7 home victory at Currie Field on Thursday, Aug. 7th.

Okotoks took command early in their matchup versus the Bombers by building a 6-1 lead after four innings. They tacked on another three runs in the seventh frame before surrendering a final run to Brooks in the eighth. First baseman Nash Crowell went 4-for-4 with two homers and six runs batted in (RBI) for the Dawgs, while outfielder Barry Eiseman was 3-for-5 and scored three runs. Leadoff hitter Ricardo Sanchez was 2-for-5 with a run and one RBI. Starting pitcher Ryan Rembisz - a lefty from Bend, Oregon - struck out 12 batters over seven innings and allowed just one earned run in picking up the win. Rembisz threw 61 of his 79 pitches for strikes. Troy Morrow hit a solo homer in a losing cause for the Bombers.

The Dawgs now await the winner of the West Division series between the Sylvan Lake Gulls and Lethbridge Bulls. The Gulls took Game 1 at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge with a commanding 8-0 victory over the home team. Joshua Tucker was masterful over seven innings for Sylvan Lake, allowing no runs while registering eight strikeouts and one walk. The southpaw from Spokane, Washington became the first pitcher in WCBL history to record more than 300 strikeouts during his career in the summer collegiate league. Late-season addition Antony Gilbert paced the offence of the Gulls by going 2-for-5 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Ty Yukumoto went 2-for-5 with a run and second baseman Jaden Flores hit a double and produced two RBI for the Lake Boys. Maxim Mrakovcic took the loss for the Bulls after surrendering five earned runs in 4.1 innings on the mound.

At Currie Field, the Red Sox scored early and often to eliminate the Mavericks. Regina jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings and cruised from there to the 13-7 win. Chris Spry was the pitcher of record for the Red Sox after striking out seven batters and allowing three earned runs in six innings. Designated hitter Brady Bye was 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI, and first baseman James Wright went 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run on the night. Second baseman Zayd Brannigan also had a solid outing. He collected two hits, one RBI and three runs in four at bats. The Mavericks got a 3-for-6 performance from second baseman Carter Roth in the loss.

The Red Sox will face the winner of the series between the Saskatoon Berries and the Moose Jaw Miller Express in the East Division Final. The Berries rebounded from their 6-4 opening night loss at home to crush the Millers at Ross Wells Park by a score of 15-6 in Game 2. Outfielder Carter Beck had an explosive night at the plate by launching a home run and going 3-for-6 with four RBI for Saskatoon. Designated hitter Cory Wouters also went off with a 3-for-5 night that included four RBI and two runs scored. Ethan Menard, Ethan Murdoch and Jalen Freeman all had a pair of RBI for the Berries. Starting pitcher Merek Yeager was unhittable through five innings and ended up allowing just two earned runs and three hits after six innings. The Muenster, Saskatchewan native collected the win for the Berries. Austin Gurney and Robert Estrada had one hit, one run and one RBI each in a losing effort for the Miller Express.

A third and deciding game between the Miller Express and Berries is set to take place at 7 p.m. at NexGen Patch at Cairns Field on Friday, Aug. 8th.