A Strathmore-raised baseball player is celebrating major recognition after Baseball Alberta announced its annual awards last week.
Former Strathmore Reds player, Aubrey Stender, 18 years old, has been named the U18 AAA Player of the Year.
Stender said he found out about the honour while at college.
“I was jumping for joy, and I had to get out of the dorm room or else I was going to spoil the secret,” Stender said, adding that he has spent the last three years working toward the award.
Stender’s love for baseball began at a young age when he joined the Strathmore Minor Baseball and played with the Reds. He later moved into competitive leagues and eventually joined the Calgary Cardinals in AAA play.
He said that the support from the community was always present, and that strong coaching through each phase of his development played a major role in his success.
“I had a solid coaching staff all the way up through my years,” he explained. “I had a better start than anyone else because the coaches were just the best that you could get around.”
Stender shared that one key moment in his growth came during a challenging U15 game.
“We were doing not so well, and I hit this home run that ended up landing in the car wash,” he recalled. “The U18 AAA coach was there to watch me for the Calgary team, and as soon as that happened, he pulled me out of the dugout and was like, I want you on the team.”
After several seasons with the Calgary Cardinals, Stender is now playing college baseball with the Williston State Tetons in North Dakota.
“It’s more competitive,” he said. “You’re going to work towards being the guy, and you need to work towards getting your opportunity, and when you get that opportunity, you better perform.”
Stender said he plans to continue playing baseball for as long as possible.
“I’m just focusing on this year and then focusing on next year, and then whatever happens after that happens.”
Strathmore Minor Baseball also congratulated their alumni on social media, writing:
“Aubrey got his start right here with Strathmore Minor Baseball, and it’s amazing to watch our athletes grow and succeed at the next level. The Strathmore baseball community is so proud of you and can’t wait to see what’s next!”
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