For the second time in three years, Weyburn Beavers head coach Phil Curtis has been named WMBL Coach of the year. The honor comes after he led the Beavers to a 30-18 record in the regular season, the second best record the team has had since beginning play in the WMBL.

Weyburn finished the year in second place in the WMBL East Division and spent the past few weeks chasing right behind the Swift Current 57’s, who captured the divisional pennant. The honor comes after an off-year in 2016 when the team finished fourth in the WMBL East Division with a record of 24-24.

In a statement, Beavers president Garnet Hanson said the coaching staff has shaped the public’s perception of the team.

“Our team is respected around the league on how they handle themselves both on and off the field,” Hanson stated.

Curtis, whose brother Corey is his assistant coach, has been with the Beavers organization as the head coach for five years. He also spent two seasons with the team as a pitcher before that.

*****

In his first year with the Weyburn Beavers, pitcher Connor DiNaro has been named a WMBL all-star. He was one of three starting pitchers named to the Second All-Star team.

The San Jose, California native, who plays his college ball at Mayville University, started eight games for the Beavers this year. He finished the year with a record of 6-2 and finished the season off with four straight wins.

Over the course of the eight games, he had 30 strikeouts, while posting an ERA of 3.41. His WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) was top on the team.