Sultans heading to 22U nationals with high expectations

The Carillon Sultans Manitoba Junior Baseball League season may be over, but there is still work to be done, as the team sets off to the 22U National Championships, which begin Aug. 7 in Halifax.

The Sultans earned the right to represent Manitoba by winning last year’s league championship, and will represent the province once again next season after winning back-to-back titles.

The Sultans roster won’t be alone, as the team has nabbed six pick-up players to help them out.

It was no surprise to see Colson Smith and Logan Enns, the players with the most innings pitched on league finalists Elmwood join the Sultans. The duo combined to throw more than 110 regular season innings for Elmwood this year, with ERAs of 2.2 and 3.8 respectively. Smith plays for South Suburban college while Enns, who is from Oakbank, suits up for Lake Region State College alongside several Carillon players.

Another player from Lake Region, St Boniface’s Hugh Montgomery is also joining the team.

Chris Peters and Brayden Fehr, two more pitchers who play for Pembina Valley are on the pick-up list.

A surprise inclusion was Ethan Giesbrecht. Giesbrecht pitched in just three games for Altona this season, as the Kansas State University player is set for another Division 1 season after two years of junior college alongside St Malo standout Cody Gunderson.

Sultans manager Rick Penner, who said he’s in the final year of coaching the junior team, said the focus was to pick up some quality pitching depth to bring to nationals, alongside a few more options at catcher.

“I think our goal is to win, I think we have the depth to do that, we’ll find out,” Penner said, adding he expects this will be his final year as the head coach of the junior Sultans.

“Every year it looks a little different and you’ve got to catch a few breaks along the way… We’ve got to win those early games, those close one’s we’ve gotta win and hopefully not burn out any pitchers.”

There is some nationals experience in the dugout for Carillon, as Rylan Penner helped Elmwood to their 2023 national championship. The roster is also full of players who have Team Manitoba experience over the years.

Penner reported the team had a strong year fundraising for the trip, and anticipates an easier time for next year. The 2026 national championships are in Windsor, and with the Sultans winning the 2025 MJBL championship, they will once again represent the province.

Carillon Sultans nationals pick-ups

Ethan Giesbrecht – Altona

Colson Smith – Elmwood

Logan Enns – Elmwood

Chris Peters – Pembina Valley

Brayden Fehr – Pembina Valley

Hugh Montgomery – St Boniface