The 13U AAA Interlake Orioles crossed home plate 20 times in their home-opening doubleheader at Stonewall’s Quarry Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Orioles settled for a split with Midwest, dropping the first game 11–10 before taking the second 10–5.
The weekend games brought the Orioles to a 1–2 start in the Baseball Manitoba AAA League regular season. The squad is starting to settle in — for 10 players, this is their first season at the AAA level.
Head coach Scott McFadyen said it’s been a good start for the club, which has been competitive in all three games so far.
He said his focus remains on player development, which he believes will ultimately lead to wins.
“With only two remaining players from last year, it’s a whole new team, right?” said McFadyen, who coached at the 13U AA level with the Orioles last season.
“Last year at AA, we didn’t have a ton of success, so for me, really focusing on player development is key. As the players do develop, the wins will come. Going deep into playoffs, we can alter our goals, but I do believe that having kids develop first and bond as a team will create that opportunity.”
McFadyen highlighted the team’s pitching depth as one of its early strengths.
Right now, the coaching staff is emphasizing attention to small details — things the players already know but sometimes need reminders on.
“The pitchers that we’ve had start games have gone deep and done well, so that’s a real advantage in saving pitching depth for later,” he said. “Things we need to work on are the small details — proper footwork, where to line up, making good throws — just fewer errors.”
The Orioles will continue building experience with an exhibition game Wednesday in Winkler.
With no weekend games, they return to regular season play on Tuesday, June 3, at Charleswood Place against the Winnipeg South Wolves. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
15U AAA Interlake Orioles
The 15U AAA Interlake Orioles played three games over the weekend, all at Atree Field.
Despite putting up runs in each contest, they were unable to secure a win.
On Friday, the Orioles dropped a 17–6 decision to the Bonivital Black Sox. On Sunday, they fell 11–5 and 17–12 in a doubleheader against the West Winnipeg A’s.
The Orioles will look for their first win of the regular season on Sunday when they host the Red River Valley Pioneers at 6:30 p.m. at Atree Field.
18U AAA Interlake Orioles
The 18U AAA Interlake Orioles were in tournament action over the weekend at Winnipeg’s Optimist Park, playing four games across Saturday and Sunday.
They opened with a 5–4 win over the West Winnipeg A’s, avenging a recent regular season loss.
Later that day, they dropped a tight 4–3 decision to the Bonivital Black Sox, bringing their record to 1–1 heading into Sunday’s matchups.
On Sunday, the Orioles fell 12–1 to the North Winnipeg Pirates and 12–0 to the Elmwood Giants, finishing the tournament with a 1–3 record.
They now shift their focus back to the regular season, resuming play Tuesday, May 27, against Bonivital at 7 p.m. at Whittier Park. They’ll then travel to Glenboro for a Sunday doubleheader against Pembina Hills, with games scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
