The North Battleford Beavers beat the Standard Hill Lakers 11-8 to advance to the NSRBL Finals. (NB Beavers/Submitted Photo)

By Austin Mattes

Eyeing a Three-Peat

Beavers outlast Lakers in Game 3; Advance to NSRBL Finals

Jul 25, 2025 | 5:12 PM

The North Battleford Beavers are headed back to the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League Finals (NSRBL) after holding off a late surge by the Standard Hill Lakers to win Game 3 of their semifinal series 11- 8.

The Beavers came out swinging, scoring eight runs in the first two innings and adding a few more over the next frames to build an 11-2 lead heading into the sixth. The Lakers responded with one in the sixth and mounted a furious five-run rally in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit to 11- 8, but the Beavers managed to shut the door and secure the win.

Gavin Nolin led the offence with two hits and three RBIs, while Kyle Gregoire added two hits and drove in two runs. Andrew Hudec and Skyler Dimmick each scored twice, and Matt Hudec chipped in with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.

Jared Schmidt got the start on the mound, throwing 5 2/3 innings with three earned runs and one strikeout. Mike Ross came in for relief to finish the game.

“We just had some timely hits and good plate approaches. So that was a big factor in getting that lead,” said Beavers player/coach Kyle Gregoire. “Then we were able to play some good defence and hold them so we’re happy to get that victory.”

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Gregoire praised Schmidt’s performance on the mound, calling him their ‘go-to arm’ in pressure situations.

“Jared pitched a great game. He just did what he always does for us. It was amazing to see.”

With the win, the Beavers, who are back-to-back league champions, now have a shot at a coveted three-peat. But standing in their way are the Unity Cardinals, a team that is no stranger to beating the Beavers. Unity handed North Battleford its only two losses of the regular season, with wins of 6-4 in May and 14-8 in June.

“I think we’re a little bit of the underdogs, even though we won last year,” said Gregoire. “We’re going to have to do a lot of the things that we’ve been doing right all season…timely hits, score when we can score, solid defence, good pitching and just getting on them early, that is going to be a big key for us but we’re excited for the challenge.”

Game 1 of the NSRBL Finals goes Monday night at 6:30 in Wilkie.

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Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes