Article content“They’re going to keep the batters off balance,” the coach said.Article contentTucker is second in the league with 38 strikeouts and has a 3.90 ERA for the Mets.Article contentCrocker, who can play all three outfield spots and is a left-handed pitcher, can help a team in many ways.Article content“He runs fast, he’s got a heck of an arm, he hits for power, he hits for average,” Ansara said.Article content Adam Crocker, who plays for the Kentville Wildcats junior team, has joined the senior squad for nationals. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentCrocker recently attended the junior nationals with Dartmouth.Article contentArticle contentThought processArticle contentAnsara said the team prioritized arms as it looked to augment its lineup for a tournament that sees teams play four games in three days before the playoffs begin.Article content“We learned the last time we went that you can’t have enough pitching,” he said. “We have that flexibility with the arms now, which I think is huge.”Article contentThe additional pitchers join a staff that includes ace Tyson Slauenwhite, Codey Shrider, Kyle Armsworthy, Dawson Oldham, Jack Gallant, and Brandon MacKenzie.Article content Tyson Slauenwhite has thrown a lot of big games for the Kentville Wildcats during the past two years. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe Wildcats have lots of experience with centre-fielder Colby Turple and Shrider regularly being added as pickups over the years, plus the experience gained from the 2023 nationals in Red Deer, Alta.Article contentArticle contentThis year’s team is built around pitching, defence, and clutching hitting.Article content“We have a good team,” Ansara said. “We want to go out there and play our best.”Article content The Kentville Wildcats went to the outfield where Ian Mosher’s retired No. 29 hangs on the fence after they won the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League title Oct. 3, 2025. Team members, front row, from left are Seth Routledge, Gehrig Octavio, Jack Gallant, batboy Kaisen Peters, Colby Titus, Codey Shrider, Kyle Armsworthy, Caleb Medicraft and Nic Schofield. Second row, Matt Clairmont, Christian Vogler, Tyler Croteau, Evan Ryan, Ryan Crocker, Colby Turple, Tyson Slauenwhite, Dawson Oldham, Luis Laffita, John Ansara, Brandon MacKenzie, Cody LeBlanc, Brett McGinnis and Drew Chase. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentArticle contentMakeupArticle contentWhile the Wildcats regular season roster isn’t full of players that annually sit atop the league leaders, they do have something harder to measure – an ability to come through in the clutch.Article content“We have a bunch of players that love to grind it out,” Ansara said. “They’re going to battle for you.”Article content The Kentville Wildcats mob John Ansara after his ground ball plated the semifinal-clinching run that capped off a five-run bottom of the seventh inning against the Sydney Sooners Sept. 13, 2025, in Kentville. Photo by Jason Malloy /Annapolis Valley RegisterArticle contentThe team showed its ability to fight back at its last nationals, when it finished fourth, and during last year’s playoff run.Article content“The guys don’t give up,” Ansara said. “They have this never-say-never attitude.”Article contentOne example he pointed to was infielder Caleb Medicraft coming through late in last year’s final against Halifax with multiple key hits.Article content“That’s our lineup through and through.”Article contentArticle contentSet upArticle contentThe Wildcats play Manitoba and Quebec on the opening day of the 10-team tournament before playing the host squad on Day 2 and completing pool play against Newfoundland and Labrador on Aug. 22 in one of the final preliminary round games.Article contentArticle contentThe medals games are slated for Aug. 23.Article content“It’s an honour,” Ansara said. “We’re representing the town, the league, the province, so you feel a sense of pride.”Article contentDartmouth, with pickups Shrider and Turple, made the 2022 final, losing 3-0 to Ontario in the championship game in Sydney.Article contentThe last time the nationals were in Miramichi, the host Chatham Ironmen defeated Dartmouth 3-2 in the 2019 final. Turple and Shrider was with Dartmouth that year as well.Article contentArticle contentMark your calendarArticle contentA look at the Kentville Wildcats schedule for the Baseball Canada senior men’s nationals in Miramichi, N.B., Aug. 20-23.Article contentThursday, Aug. 20Article content1 p.m. – Nova Scotia vs. Manitoba.Article content7 p.m. – Quebec vs. Nova Scotia.Article contentFriday, Aug. 21Article content8 p.m. – Nova Scotia vs. Host team.Article contentSaturday, Aug. 22Article content3 p.m. – Newfoundland and Labrador vs. Nova Scotia.Article contentPlayoffs begin at 7 p.m.Article contentSunday, Aug. 23Article content9:30 a.m. – Semifinal.Article content12:30 p.m. – Semifinal.Article content4 p.m. – Bronze medal game.Article content7 p.m. – Gold medal game.Article contentArticle contentDid you know?Article contentThe defending national senior men’s baseball champions are the Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders. They play in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL) and are the New Brunswick representatives at the tournament. They defeated the two-time defending champs from Quebec 8-1 in the final of the 2025 championship in Regina, Sask. The Islanders are the three-time defending NBSBL champs.Article contentArticle contentNational champsArticle contentA look at the Nova Scotia teams that have won the Baseball Canada senior men’s championship.Article content1985 – Kentville.Article content2004 – Nova Scotia.Article content2005 – Nova Scotia.Article content
Kentville Wildcats load up heading to senior men’s baseball nationals
