mosquito title
The Mosquito AA Indians celebrate their Provincial Championship Sunday in Swift Current

The Mosquito AA Indians have defended their diamond and their provincial title.

They went undefeated at their provincial tournament this weekend in Swift Current, and beat Weyburn 9-0 in the championship final on Sunday. The Tribe allowed just four runs over the five games of the tournament and completed their season with a 38-6 record.

"We've done a pretty good job of winning big games this year and kind of keeping it under wraps and acting like we've done it before, but it's pretty neat to watch them jump around and be really excited," said Indians coach Derek Murdoch. "Three months ago, our mission was to win a AAA League title, and win a provincial title, so it's pretty tough to argue against our team being one of the best in the province, maybe THE best."

Murdoch says the success of the team bodes well for the future, saying eight players will graduate to Pee Wee next season, but adds it also says a lot for the minor ball program in Swift Current.

"We've got a sign in our dugout that we've had up all year that says 'Tradition of Excellence', and we're very fortunate that there are a lot of people in this town that care deeply about baseball," he said. "Guys like Harv Martinez that works with our kids. Joe Carnahan does his camps and is so good with our kids, he treats our guys so well and he's always willing to help, and he knows them all by name, and he treats them like they're part of his team.

"Obviously, we've got a great group of parents and family that just invested three months of time, money and travel," Murdoch added. "A lot of hard work to put this tournament on, but we got nothing but compliments for the way the weekend was, and we're lucky that we've got great facilities and you can just tell that Swift Current is a baseball town, and that definitely helps."

Meanwhile, the Mosquito A Indians reached the final of provincials in Lloydminster, but fell 9-8 to Melville in the championship. The Pee Wees reached the semi-final of their provincial tournament in Weyburn where they lost to Unity, and the Bantams went 0-and-3 in their provincial tournament in Muenster.

The Midget AA Indians play provincials this coming weekend in Yorkton. The Midget, Bantam and Pee Wee Indians will also play in the Western Canadian Baseball Championships set for Swift Current August 15th to 17th.