The Sylvan Lake Gulls time is now.
Over the last two years, the Gulls have had plenty of playoff success making it to the West Division Final in back-to-back years.
However, that postseason success has also brought a lot of disappointment and pain in the end result.
While making it to the West Final the last two seasons is no easy task, they've failed to make it to the league finals losing to the Okotoks Dawgs. The Western Canadian Baseball League powerhouse went on to win the championship title in both years.
The Gulls remain on top of the West Division standings in the home stretch of the season with a 39-12 record and a two-game cushion on the second-place Dawgs.
Finishing in first place in the division is something the franchise has yet to accomplish since entering the league in 2021. With just five games remaining before playoffs, that is the team's main focus.
"We're playing I think our best ball coming into the home stretch and I think we'll be strong heading into the playoffs. I think this could be the year for us," said Gulls third-year pitcher Hunter Jones on Wednesday.
"We're just focused on not letting off the gas pedal. We want to clinch first place and if we win out we will have the single-season win record so that would be pretty cool if we accomplished that."
Jones added that in his three summers with the Gulls, this year's team is the best all-round squad.
"I think our pitching have done their job all season and our bats have been electric all season... Even if one is lacking our team is giving it their all every night. If we were going to win it all it's this year," Jones said.
The Gulls lost their first five games against the Dawgs before beating them three times in a row to wrap up the season series.
Jones explained this year they refused to believe Okotoks were unbeatable or a mountain too steep to climb. That mentality has served them well so far.
With no head-to-head matchups remaining, the only time they would face each other again is in the West Final.
"We're not thinking they're the best team in the world. Just our mindset going into games is what helped us this year," he added. "I hope we meet them in playoffs again, you know get a little bit of revenge this time. Then we can go on to take it ourselves."
Fellow veteran pitcher Tyler Boudreau echoed Jones' comments while adding how important it would be for the Gulls to clinch first place.
"Coming first and having that home advantage in the playoffs is massive. I believe we have the team this year to beat the Dawgs so as long as we play our game we'll be fine," Boudreau said.
"There's always that rivalry there with the Dawgs. It's the two top teams in the league. That's just how it is so I'm excited to play and I'm sure the rest of the guys are as well."
In addition, the WCBL single-season win record was set by the 2022 Okotoks Dawgs who won 43 games. If the Gulls win their remaining games they'll set a new league record.
They're well on their way after defeating the Lethbridge Bulls 10-2 at Gulls Stadium on Wednesday for their fifth win in a row.
Left fielder Cooper Ciesielski led the way with five runs batted in and a four-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Gulls starting pitcher Kyle Froehlich pitched four strong innings where he allowed only one run scored. He also struck out five batters with a 1.91 ERA.
Next up for the Gulls, they'll take on the Edmonton Prospects at home on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. before the rematch in Edmonton on Friday. They'll wrap up the series on Saturday in Sylvan Lake.
The Gulls will then welcome the Brooks Bombers to Sylvan Lake on Sunday and Monday for the final two games of the season at 7:05 p.m. and 2:05 p.m.
