There is a new provincial champion in Midget AAA baseball in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatoon Cubs edged the Muenster Red Sox 7-5 to capture the provincial title, one year after the Red Sox won it all in Saskatoon.

A roller coaster final game saw the Cubs go up four runs, before giving up five to trail 5-4. In the top of the seventh, Saskatoon pushed across three runs to take the 7-5 lead.

Coach Dan Morari says that the game was mentally draining for all involved.

"There were more ups than downs, fortunately. This last game tested our mental toughness for sure. Our boys came back against some very good pitchers."

Morari added that they knew what they were getting going up against the Red Sox, and it allowed little room for error.

"We knew we were going to scratch and claw for runs. It's no secret they have the best pitching in the league," he explained. "We knew that we would have to hit the ball and field the ball. There's no real formula for success against a team like this."

The Red Sox took a 5-4 lead after four innings, and Morari was pleased with the way his team continued to battle.

"That's the story of the day. To be up four and down one in one inning, our guys could have folded and they didn't."

The weekend showed off the best players in the game at the Under-18 level, which had a good turnout throughout the three days, according to SPBL Vice-President Tom Copeland.

"Probably the best two teams face off and the whole tournament worked out the way it should," he noted. "We're happy with the format and this is what we have been pushing for for five years."

Copeland added that all returning players from last summer's Baseball Canada Cup team from Saskatchewan played in games on the weekend, which was also a treat.

One of the main organizers for having the provincials come to Estevan was Southeast Performance Pump Twins Coach Blaine Kovach.

He says that in addition to the excitement of the two final games, the weekend was a big hit.

"It was a great event. All the volunteers that put in hours, it has all paid off in the end," he said. "Everyone did a great job and I am really happy we could produce an event like this."

The third place game saw the Saskatoon Diamondbacks defeat the Regina White Sox 8-6.

Both the Diamondbacks and Red Sox will advance to the Western Canadian Championships, which will be held August 10 to 13 in Ile des Chenes and Steinbach, Manitoba.

The Cubs are off to represent the province at the Canadian Championship, held in London, Ontario, August 17-20.

Select players will suit up for Saskatchewan in Winnipeg beginning on July 29, as they take part in the Canada Summer Games.