Vernon Canadians beat Ladner Red Sox 3-2 to win their first B.C. U18 AA Baseball title at home. Koen Holmes delivers complete game to seal victory.
Vernon Crowned B.C. U18 AA Baseball Champions
Before a roaring hometown crowd at Marshall Fields, the Vernon Canadians edged the Ladner Red Sox 3-2 in a thrilling gold-medal match to win the B.C. U18 AA Baseball Championship. It marked the franchise’s first provincial title at the U18 level.
A Long-Awaited Triumph
The Vernon Canadians went into Sunday’s final with redemption on their minds, having lost to the Ladner Red Sox in round-robin play just a day prior. But with ace pitcher Koen Holmes delivering a complete-game, 99-pitch performance, the Canadians reversed their fortunes to capture the top prize.
Head coach Dan Braddick, a 15-year veteran in Vernon’s baseball program, called the team “a special group of longtime friends,” noting the mix of first-, second-, and third-year players added depth and resilience
Marshall Fields Sets the Stage
The final showdown unfolded under perfect summer skies at Marshall Fields in Vernon. Packed with fans, the stadium buzzed with energy as the Canadians leapt to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ladner, undeterred, clawed back with runs in the fourth and fifth to tie the game.
But Vernon responded in the bottom of the sixth: first-year player Nixon Swanson knocked in the go-ahead run with a clutch single, scoring Anthony Sanfilippo. Holmes then sealed the victory in the seventh with a flurry of fastballs topping 87 mph.
Redemption and Rivalry
The win was especially satisfying after Vernon’s semifinal exit in 2024. Ironically, this year, they knocked out the four-time defending champions Vancouver Mounties in the semifinals 4-1—handing them their first loss in 17 games.
Coach Braddick praised the Mounties, noting that some of their players and families stayed to cheer for Vernon during the final. “They’ve welcomed Vernon players in recent Western Canadians, so there’s real mutual respect.”
What’s Next: Western Canadians in Alberta
With the provincial championship secured, the Vernon Canadians will now represent B.C. at the U18 AA Western Canadian Championships, scheduled for August 13–15 in St. Albert, Alberta. The competition will bring together top teams from across Western Canada.
Building a Legacy
The championship roster includes Holmes, Sanfilippo, Swanson, Luc Gilbert, Ryder Hornhardt, Tyson Macleod, Jordan Harrington, Micah Davyduke, Vincent Sanfilippo, Everett Brown, Gabe Kibblewhite, Hayden Forgie, and Oliver Horne. The coaching team features Braddick, Mike Sanfilippo, Rob Holmes, and Jason Gilbert.
For Vernon, the win is more than a trophy—it’s a sign that local baseball is thriving, with a homegrown group writing their names into provincial history.
This article is original and written specifically for SurreySpeak.com
