The Bantam AA Portage Phillies are the Western Canadian Champions.

The Championship tournament was held in St. Albert, Alberta. Portage knocked off the Strathmore Reds 7-0 in the championship game. The Phillies fell in the final last year but the 7 returning players led the way to an undefeated tournament at 5-0 and capped off their second chance with a gold medal. Phillies' Coach Shane Moffat says it was a special victory for the players.

"We were in the same place last year in St. Albert when we lost in extra innings to BC 3-2 for the gold medal. So going back we had a bunch of veterans going back, and some young guys coming with us this year, and we went and battled. The kids played some very good baseball all weekend."

Joey Moffatt, Tanner Boyle, Western Canadian Baseball Association Representative, Garrett Maly, Matt Boychuk

Moffat says the boys really came together over the season and peaked at the perfect time.

"They made some real good plays, everyone contributed, and everybody hit the ball very well. To go all the way there and go 5-0 against the best kids in Western Canada is pretty good. It tells you a lot of about the dedication our kids had."

Moffat says they'll be losing a good chunk of players next season.

"Most of them will move into Midget, I think we had 3 minors on the team and they'll stay back into Bantam. So our Midget program is going to be looking really good for next year."

He adds it was a pretty special season for the AA Bantam Phillies. They went 14-0, won the Manitoba Championship, and the Western Canadian Championship.