Sultans blow out Legionaires to kick off MJBL season

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This article was published 24/05/2025 (306 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Carillon Sultans couldn’t have authored a better start to their Manitoba Junior Baseball League championship defense season.

The Sultans made short work of the St Boniface Legionaires in a double-header in A.D. Penner Park May 18, picking up a pair of mercy rule victories (14-4/12-2). The team’s season was set to begin May 16, but their game against Elmwood needed to be postponed due to rain.

“The first day, you never know what is going to happen, a new bunch of kids and some guys really haven’t thrown much,” manager Rick Penner said.

“It was a good win and a good start to the season.”

Tyler Plett and Cedric Lagasse got the starts on Sunday, allowing six and five hits respectively. Both had to bounce back from early-inning setbacks but settled in well, allowing the potent Carillon offense to lap their competition. In the MJBL, if a team takes a 10-run lead, the game is halted.

“Two very veteran pitchers for us, so we know them well and they’ve been around for a while but haven’t thrown much this year,” Penner said.

“They’ve got to work those kinks out but it looked okay for opening day, on a cool Sunday in May.”

Jackson Penner had the best bat of the day. The infielder finished 4/4 with five RBIs and two walks across both games of the double-header.

The Sultans relied on some younger players and APs to step up against St Boniface, as the team is still waiting for some college players to make the trip back to Manitoba.

“(There were) a lot of fresh faces today, from the last couple years but guys that have been a part of this Carillon program for a while, so they just stepped in and played their role,” manager Penner said.

Carillon is set for a memorable season no matter what. As last year’s league champions, they represent the province at the 22U national championships, which will be hosted in Nova Scotia in early August.

“I think we’re going to play a little bit more of the long game in terms of keeping arms going,” Penner said

“Last year we relied on a few guys a bit more because our pitching depth was a little thinner. They were strong enough to get us a championship last year, but with nationals we want to spread it around a little more, make sure we have even more depth in case there’s injuries or whatever. We’re not going to stick to a couple guys, we’re going to mix it around.”

Penner said the team is expecting to contend in Manitoba this year as well.

“We’re looking to have some fun here,” he said.

The nationals roster could feature some stars from around the MJBL, as Carillon is allowed to add pick-up players for the championship. Picking the right players won’t just come down to the Sultans’ staff ability to scout. Penner said managers from across the league provide valuable input on what players would be good additions for the Manitoba representative, especially when it comes to pitching.

“It’s representing our league, so we all cheer each other on from that regard,” he said.

“We’ll be talking lots.”

The MJBL is down a team this season, losing the St James A’s. In other early-season action from around the league, the Elmwood Giants and Interlake Blue Jays also both had perfect opening weekends. Carillon is next in action against Altona May 25 with a double-header at 1 and 4 p.m.

The minor and senior Carillon Sultans teams have their seasons begin this week, with the senior team playing their home opener, a 3-2 walk-off win against Stonewall, May 20.