Red Deer Riggers win bronze at 2026 men's national championships
The team rallied from a three-run deficit in the sixth inning to beat the Windsor Stars 11-10 in New Brunswick.
The Red Deer Riggers claimed bronze at the 2026 Men's National Championships on Monday, defeating the Windsor Stars 11-10 in New Brunswick. It marks the Riggers' second national bronze medal, following their first in 2017.
Trailing 10-7 after the top of the sixth inning, Red Deer scored four unanswered runs to take the lead into the final frame. Kyle Belich hit a solo home run to spark the comeback, and Tyler McWillie later added a two-run single to put the Riggers ahead. Pitcher Kai Poffenroth closed out the win.
The Riggers topped Pool B in round-robin play with a 3-1 record, beating British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan before losing to New Brunswick. That result gave them a bye into the semifinals, where they fell 10-4 to New Brunswick.
Red Deer qualified for nationals after winning the 2025 Sunburst League championship over the Edmonton Cubs, despite finishing this season with a 10-8 record that fell short of the league playoffs. The Riggers won't compete at nationals next year but are scheduled to host the tournament in 2029 at Great Chief Park.
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