Bulls Open 2026 Season with Strong Opening Weekend

Joshua Milton slugs one of his three doubles Friday night vs Swift Current

The Lethbridge Bulls opened the 2026 Western Canadian Baseball League season with a strong 2-1 record, earning back-to-back home victories over the Brooks Bombers and Swift Current 57’s before running into a hot-hitting Okotoks Dawgs club on Saturday night at Seaman Stadium.

The season began Thursday night at Spitz Stadium with an 8-3 victory over the Brooks Bombers. Lethbridge product Shaye McTavish set the tone on the mound, working six strong innings while allowing just six hits. The right-hander struck out four and walked only one en route to earning Sisters Pub Player of the Game honours.

Bulls pitcher Shaye MacTavish struck out six Brooks Bombers on Thursday night

Offensively, the Bulls were led by first-year infielder Joshua Milton. The Richmond, Texas native enjoyed a perfect evening at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk. Another local product, second baseman Kalem Haney, made a successful return to the Bulls lineup after taking the 2025 season off, finishing the night 3-for-4 in the victory.

Friday night brought even more excitement to Spitz Stadium as former Toronto Blue Jays fan favourite and Canadian baseball star Kevin Pillar visited Lethbridge as part of the Canadian Grand Slam Baseball Showcase and Festival. Pillar, who also appeared at the Canadian Baseball Legends Gala and Celebrity Kids Camp, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a large crowd and helped create a memorable evening for baseball fans throughout southern Alberta.

Lethbridge Bulls on-field host Tony Deys welcoming Toronto Blue Jays great Kevin Pillar to the Spitz Stadium field Friday night to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Once the game began, the Bulls put on a show of their own. Lethbridge exploded for 21 runs on 20 hits in a dominant 21-6 victory over the Swift Current 57’s. Milton stayed red hot at the plate, going 5-for-6 with three doubles and five RBIs. Fifth-year Bull Carter Claerhout added to the offensive barrage, going 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season and three RBIs.

Carter Clarehout with his first home run of the 2026 WCBL season

On the mound, Brett Getz earned the victory in his first start of the season. The right-hander struck out five while walking two over five innings of work as the Bulls improved to 2-0 on the young season.

Lethbridge Bulls call up from the Lethbridge Longhorns (and Lethbridge native) Evan Machum went 1-3 with a triple in the Bulls big win vs Swift Current Friday night at Spitz Stadium

Saturday night proved to be a much different story as the Okotoks Dawgs handed the Bulls their first loss of the season, a 26-1 drubbing at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks. The Dawgs held a slim 2-0 lead through three innings before erupting for 10 runs in the fourth inning and nine more in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

It was a difficult night for the Bulls, who were limited to seven hits offensively. Lethbridge used seven pitchers in the contest, with Adryen Teitz taking the loss despite a solid start. Teitz worked three innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out four.

The Bulls were scheduled to return to Okotoks on Sunday afternoon looking to avenge Saturday's loss, but the game was postponed due to rain and will be made up at a later date.

Lethbridge returns home Monday night to host the Dawgs at Spitz Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Be sure to get to the game early and enter the all new Save on Foods Chase the Base contest for your chance to win a trip for two to Toronto at the end of the Bulls season to watch the Blue Jays. The on-field game has definately been a hit with fans early in this 2026 Lethbridge Bulls season.

Tickets are available at https://tickets.bullsbaseball.com/events/40836-game-3-okotoks-dawgs-vs-lethbridge-bulls