The North Battleford Beavers dropped Game 1 of the NSRBL Finals 5-4 on Monday. (Submitted Photo/Andrew Hudec)

By Austin Mattes

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Beavers drop Game 1 of NSRBL Finals; look to bounce back for Game 2 at home

Jul 30, 2025 | 9:17 AM

The North Battleford Beavers’ pursuit of a third straight North Saskatchewan River Baseball League (NSRBL) title took a hit Monday night, as they dropped Game 1 of the finals 5–4 in extra innings to the Unity Cardinals.

In front of a strong crowd in Wilkie, both teams came out sharp defensively, with the game remaining scoreless through three innings. The Beavers broke the silence in the top of the fourth with a run, then followed it up with two more in the fifth to take a 3–0 lead.

However, Unity responded in a big way in the bottom half of the fifth, putting up four runs to take their first lead of the night. The Beavers tied it in the top of the seventh, sending the game to extras after Unity failed to walk it off in regulation.

North Battleford couldn’t capitalize in the top of the eighth, stranding the go-ahead run. Then in the bottom half, Unity managed to bring their runner home, sealing the 5–4 victory and a 1–0 lead in the best-of-three final.

“It’s one of those things where we didn’t score in the top of eight,” said Beavers player-coach Kyle Gregoire. “Put a guy on second base, and all they had to do was try to find a way to get that one run.”

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Gregoire powered the Beavers early, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run, while Matt Hudec went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Gavin Nolin added two RBIs, going 1-for-4 at the plate.

On the mound, Jared Schmidt pitched five strong innings, not allowing a hit until the fifth but eventually gave up four earned runs. Caleb Hoiseth and Nolin came in as relief.

“It was a pretty quick turnaround from our last series, so we were a little worn out,” Gregoire said. “Our pitching was strong, and we started off really well but just couldn’t get some timely bats when we needed them there in the end.”

Game 2 is set for Wednesday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Beaver Lions Stadium in North Battleford, where the Beavers will look to even the series and force a decisive Game 3.

“Going into Game 2 here at home, the arms are pretty fresh, which is key for us,” added Gregoire. “We’re hoping to do what we did last series—bounce back quickly. We’ve played really well at home over the years, and that gives us confidence heading in.”

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austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com