18UAAA.saskfivemarlins.spbl

The Marlins bid a final farewell to their leaders.

Number 5, Blake Rowan.
If you’ve been around this team for even five minutes, you already know Blake. You can hear him before you see him, and when you do see him, he’s usually right in the middle of whatever just happened, good, bad, or absolutely ridiculous.

A redheaded firecracker in every sense of the word, Blake brings a level of energy that cannot be coached, controlled, or quietly ignored. He’s emotional, he’s intense, and yes… he’s been known to say exactly what he’s thinking at exactly the right (or wrong) time. And honestly, most of the time, it’s hilarious.

On the ice or on the baseball field, that same energy turns into something special. He celebrates every big moment like it’s the biggest moment of the season, and he makes sure nobody else in the dugout or stands is ever allowed to be bored.

He’s not polished, he’s not filtered, and he’s definitely not subtle, but he is real. And this team will remember him for exactly that.

Wherever he goes next, one thing is guaranteed: it will never be quiet, and it will never be dull.

Thank you for the chaos, the laughs, the energy, and the moments we probably can’t repeat in a team email.

Congratulations, Blake. Always stay you, and your future will be sure to be as bright as your personality!

Words by Gena Rae Berg
Edit by Deena Simair 👠🌾

The Marlins bid one final farewell to their seniors.

Josh Gutek, number 15.
From the very first pitch of every game, our leadoff hitter set the tone. Not just at the plate, but in the way he carried himself every single day.
In center field, there was a quiet confidence knowing that if the ball was hit his way, Josh would be there. Reliable. Consistent. Steady. The kind of teammate every coach hopes for and every player trusts beside them.

But what makes Josh special goes far beyond baseball. He’s respectful, humble, and the kind of young man who leaves a positive impression everywhere he goes. He’s proof that you don’t have to be the loudest person to make the biggest impact.

Number 15, thank you for every sprint into the gap, every leadoff at bat that sparked this team, and every example you set for the players coming behind you. As one chapter closes, another begins. The baseball field may be saying goodbye, but the football field is ready to welcome you. We know you’ll wear that jersey with the same heart, humility, and determination you’ve always shown here.

Congratulations, Josh. The Saskatoon Hilltops are gaining more than an athlete, they’re gaining an outstanding teammate and an even better young man.

Words by Gena Rae Berg
Edit by Deena Simair 👠🌾

The Marlins bid farewell one more time to their leaders.

Axel Flodell, number 70.
Sometimes a player has a way of making the game look effortless, and Axel is one of those players.

Whether he was dominating on the mound, launching a ball over the fence, or stepping in wherever the team needed him in the infield or outfield, he played with a confidence that comes from years of dedication to the game he loves.

For years, those long blonde locks were as much a part of Axel as his fastball. They became part of the memories this team will always carry. The hair may be gone, but the player, and the person everyone has come to admire, remains the same.

What makes Axel unique is that his talent doesn’t stop on the baseball field. A gifted musician and an exceptional athlete, he’s shown that passion, discipline, and hard work can take you in more than one direction.

Now that journey continues at McCook College in Nebraska, where another team will get to experience the talent, determination, and character that have defined your time here.

Thank you for every strikeout, every home run, every play, and every memory. Congratulations, Axel. Keep chasing every dream, on the field and beyond. We can’t wait to see where they take you.
Words by Gena Rae Berg
Edits by Deena Simair 👠🌾