Sylvan Lake Gulls pitcher Tyler Boudreau has positioned himself as one of the best in the league this season.
Not only does he have four wins but also has 36 total strikeouts. What’s even more impressive is he’s posted a league-best 1.54 earned run average.
That means out of all the starting pitchers in the Western Canadian Baseball League, Boudreau on average allows the least amount of runs scored when he’s on the mound.
Boudreau said on Thursday it’s all about repetition.
“I think it’s all about facing as many hitters on the mound every day,” he said.
“Repetitions in baseball will help you as much as anything will and I think that’s what helped me. Just throwing as much as I can.”
That also earned him his second straight WCBL All-Star Game appearance in Okotoks this Saturday at Seamen Stadium. He’ll be joined by fellow pitcher Josh Tucker, catcher Hank Dodson, infielders Jonah Weisner and Nick Groves, and outfielder Shea Bowen on the West All-Stars.
“I’m looking forward to it this year,” he added. “I’m getting my own inning this year. Last season I got two outs in the ninth inning but the experience is like nothing I’ve had before. It’s unbelievable in front of 6,000 people yelling and screaming.”
Boudreau is part of a deep pitching staff that features the likes of Hunter Jones and Josh Tucker to name a few. Tucker, who broke the league strikeout record last season hasn’t shown signs of slowing down leading the league once again with 48 strikeouts.
“We all work together as a pitching staff. You’ve got to listen to your teammates and you’ve got to learn from everyone. You can always learn in the game of baseball,” he said.
Boudreau grew up in Nova Scotia but moved to Alberta to go to high school at 14 years old. He moved to Calgary to play for Vauxhall Academy while he was still in high school but six months ago moved to Sylvan Lake.
“Growing up every day was baseball, baseball, and more baseball. If baseball was on, it was on the TV. If we were doing something in the backyard we were probably playing catch,” he said. “If you don’t have a love for the game you’re probably not going to thrive.”
Just coming off his first full season at Midland Community College in Texas, he has one year remaining but hopes to transfer to a division one school in the NCAA to play out his remaining two years of eligibility.
“That’s the main goal… I believe I can compete at any level,” he added.
He’s also in his third season with the Gulls and said it’s an unbelievable place to play.
“Two thousand fans every night yelling and screaming and just enjoying it. It makes it enjoyable for us because we can entertain the fans a little bit. They’re here every night rain or shine. It’s the best fans in the WCBL,” he said.
Last year the Gulls made it all the way to the West Finals but failed to get past the Okotoks Dawgs. Sitting in second place in the West division, Boudreau said he thinks they have what it takes to get over the hump this season.
“I think we’ve got the team to do it and we will do it. Just got to give it some time and we’ll get it done.”
The Gulls played the Swift Current 57s on Thursday night at home but will face off again in a rematch Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Gulls Stadium.
