Saskatoon Berries squashing competition in team’s second season

The Saskatoon Berries are turning heads throughout the Western Canadian Baseball League.

After finishing their inaugural season in 2024 with a record of 31-25 and losing in the east division final to Moose Jaw, the Berries have rebounded in 2025 with one of the best records in the league.

The Berries currently hold a record of 30-5 and, on paper, are the best team in the league by several games.

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It’s pretty rare for a team in only its second season to be a contender for a championship, so what’s clicked for the Berries?

“The biggest thing is we got a good group of guys. They really gelled real quick once they got up here, and as guys kept trickling in they’ve just all fit in,” said manager Joe Carnahan.

“We’ve been able to have the ability to keep rotating guys in and out of the lineup, keeping guys fresh, and it’s been good so far.”

Carnahan said a number of key players returned to the team this season, and have a good idea of what to expect both in Saskatoon and on the road.

“It’s a real good group of guys – just selfless and do a good job supporting each other,” he said.

Berries slugger Carter Beck agreed that the club’s togetherness has been a big reason for its success this season.

“I think it’s just having a good group of guys who all want to go out and win and compete at a high level,” Beck said. “We just kind of mesh together. The way things have gone, it’s been easy to play loose, which helps out.”

Beck said there’s a never-give-up mentality in the Berries’ dugout.

“We’re going to keep coming at you no matter what. I don’t know what our average run per game is, but we just keep scoring,” said Beck.

“You’re never safe. Even if it’s a six run lead, it’s never safe. We keep putting up runs.”

Berries pitcher Adam Beamin said the team has a gritty attitude.

“We do blow teams out of the water, but if we’re down or close in the game, we just stick with it and keep going until it’s ours,” said Beamin.

Carnahan also agreed with the statements from two of his star players. He also thinks the confidence of his team and the players has played a major role in their success.

“Knowing if they do make mistake, somebody else is going to pick them up and just stay an even keel the entire time,” Carnahan said. “That’s been our success so far.”

In a matter of weeks the Berries’ true test will come as the playoffs begin. Beck thinks if they want to win a championship they just have to keep doing what they’ve been doing.

“Just keep going to compete every night. Everybody here is just trying to get better, so when you’re doing that, things go well,” he said.