Edmonton Riverhawks

The Edmonton Riverhawks are a collegiate summer baseball team. The Riverhawks are members of the West Coast League and play their home games at RE/MAX Field.

Edmonton Riverhawks
Information
LeagueWest Coast League
LocationEdmonton, AB
BallparkRE/MAX Field
Year founded2020
ColoursNavy, Carolina blue, Vegas gold
     
OwnershipBaseball Edmonton Inc.
Websiteriverhawksbaseball.com

History

In May 2020, Baseball Edmonton, a consortium headed by five-time Stanley Cup winner Randy Gregg along with 24 shareholders, secured a ten-year lease agreement with the City of Edmonton for RE/MAX Field. The move beat out a proposal by the Edmonton Prospects of the Western Canadian Baseball League, who had been using the stadium since 2012.[1] Baseball Edmonton agreed to fund upgrades to the ballpark including new artificial turf, scoreboard, and lighting.[2]

On September 15, 2020, Baseball Edmonton announced the founding of the Edmonton Riverhawks, a West Coast League (WCL) expansion franchise to begin play in 2021.[3] Edmonton's entry into the WCL was the first to be located in Alberta. Due to the distance between the Riverhawks and their league brethren the franchise subsidizes travel to teams visiting Edmonton.

The WCL's Canadian teams cancelled their 2021 seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, postponing the Riverhawks' debut to 2022.[4]

The Riverhawks played their first game on May 31, 2022, against the Kamloops NorthPaws.[5]

2022

The Riverhawks finished 5th in the North Division.[6] Outfielder Clayton Loranger (college: Stephen F. Austin State University, hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta) had the fourth best batting average in the league (.403). Outfielder Ivan Brethowr (college: Arizona State University, hometown: Olathe, Kansas) was second in the league in RBIs with 19.[7] The Riverhawks were second in the league in attendance with 63,221 fans coming through the gates for an average of 2,342 fans per game.[8]

2023

On June 16, Jonny McGill was named one of the players of the week with a league-leading batting average of .483.[9]

The Riverhawks failed to improve on their 25–28 record from the previous season, finishing sixth in the North with an 18–36 record.[10] Jonny McGill (University of British Columbia) finished with a batting average of .335. Halen Knoll (University of Mary) threw 52 strikeouts and finished with five wins on the mound. Riley Barrett (Arizona State University) finished with an ERA of 1.73.[11] Despite the futile season, the Riverhawks finished with the best attendance in the league. 104,378 total fans bought tickets for an average of 3,880 per game.[12]

The Riverhawks finished with an undefeated 2–0 record against non-league teams.[13] 1,420 total fans attended these two games for an average of 710.[14]

Season-by-season record
Year League Division Finish Wins Losses Win% GB Postseason Manager
2022West Coast LeagueNorth5th2528.4728Did not qualifyKelly Stinnett
2023WCLNorth6th1836.33320.5Did not qualifyJake Lanferman
Division winner League champions

References
  1. Reichard, Kevin (May 26, 2020). "Edmonton awards RE/MAX Field lease to Gregg group; Prospects headed out of town". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  2. "Baseball returning to Edmonton river valley with Riverhawks, new West Coast League team". SooToday.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  3. "Baseball returning to Edmonton river valley with Riverhawks, new West Coast League team". Global News. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  4. "Edmonton Riverhawks debut delayed until 2022 due to pandemic". CTV News Edmonton. April 14, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  5. "Edmonton Riverhawks Schedule".
  6. "West Coast League - standings".
  7. "West Coast League - leaders".
  8. "West Coast League - attendance".
  9. https://westcoastleague.com/mcgill-and-rembisz-receive-wcls-moss-adams-weekly-accolades/
  10. http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=33635
  11. http://baseball.pointstreak.com/leaders.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=33635
  12. http://baseball.pointstreak.com/attendance.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=33635
  13. http://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=33636
  14. http://baseball.pointstreak.com/attendance.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=33636
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