The St Albert Tigers certainly made some big strides in 2026. After a tough 2025 season that saw them finish 7 - 11 in Sunburst League regular season play, missing the playoffs, the Tigers climbed all the way up the mountain as they captured the 2026 Sunburst League Championship in dramatic fashion back in mid August. After going down 0 - 2, they took down the top seeded Calgary Rockies three straight games in their Best of 5 series. 

To open the playoffs, the Tigers had a Best of 3 semi-final series against the Edmonton Cubs. In the opening game, it was St Albert that ended up on the right side of a pitchers duel taking the game 3 - 2. Both pitchers went the distance with Christopher Menard taking the win allowing two runs while scattering five hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Lucas Verhoeven took the loss allowing three runs on four hits walking four and striking out three. Marc Brisson and Nick Hagen each had a hit and an RBI while Jason Serafinchon and Zach Lausch had the other hits for St Albert. 

Game two saw another instant classic as the Cubs were able to keep themselves alive with a 5 - 4 win in 11 innings. Andrew Deschaine would grab the win with 4 1/3 inning of relief from starter Brendan Wiun. Ryley Starko would take the loss in relief of starter Jack Hudson. Tony Olson had three hits, including a home run, and two RBIs to lead Edmonton at the plate. Dean Olson (RBI) and Clay Davis each had a pair of hits as well. In the decicing game three, the Tigers did not leave much doubt as they scored a 15 - 5 victory. Christopher Menard would grab his second win of the series in relief of starter Nick Klemmer while Griffin Lafreniere would take the loss for Edmonton. Kelan Polard had four hits and three RBIs while Caedyn Colford had three hits, inclding a home run, and three RBIs for St Albert. 

With the series win, they would now meet up with a tough Calgary Rockies club in a Best of 5 Championship Series for the Sunburst League title. In game one, the Tigers ran into a read hot arm in the form of DJ DePeiro who tossed a no hitter in a 1 - 0 win. Dawson Morrill was also solid allowing one run over five innings in taking the hard luck loss. Joe Gagnon supplied the only offense needed on the evening with a solo home run for Calgary. In game two, the Rockies broke open a tie game in the 4th inning taking this contest by a 6 - 3 score. Steven Latos went six strong innings for the win while Jack Hudson started and took the loss for the Tigers. Stephen MacKenzie had three hits and a pair of RBIs to lead the Calgary offense. 

With their backs against the wall, St Albert would go to work in game three taking home a convincing 13 - 2 win in five innings. Christopher Menard was solid again going the distance for the win while Jordan Moffitt lasted 1 1/3 innings taking the loss for Calgary. Bryaden Morris and Zach Lausch each had a pair of hits and two RBIs to lead the Tigers at the plate. Game four saw another solid pitcher performance from St Albert as Jack Hudson (4 Inn, Win) and Rliey Starko teamed up for a five hit 5 - 0 shutout win. Kevin Floyd started and took the loss for the Rockies. Nick Hagen had a perfect 4-for-4 day with a pair of RBIs to lead the Tigers at the plate.

This set up a winner take all 5th and deciding game for the series. Leading 2 - 1 after five innings, St Albert erupted for eight runs in the 5th and scored a decisive 10 - 4 win taking the series 3 - 2 and capturing the Sunburst League Championship Title. Ashton Finkbeiner would grab the win in relief of starter Dawson Morrill while Steven Latos would take the loss for the Rockies. Kegan Polard (2 RBI) and Brayden Morris each had a pair of huts while Jason Serafinchon had a home run to pace the Tigers offense. 

With the win, the St Albert Tigers have now qualified for the 2027 Canadian Men's Baseball Championships and will make the very short trek to Edmonton, Alberta for next year's event in late August. We would like to give a huge congrats to Head Coach Brad Wolansky as well as the rest of the coaching staff and all of the players on a very successful season in 2026.