North Battleford Beavers' standout, Gavin Nolin receives the NSRBL MVP and Top Hitter Awards presented by league co-commissioner, Regan L’Heureux. (submitted photo/NSRBL)

By Martin Martinson

Senior Ball hardware

Beavers’ Nolin headlines NSRBL Awards with second MVP

Aug 1, 2023 | 1:59 PM

The North Saskatchewan River Baseball League (NSRBL) recently announced the 2023 year-end award winners, headlined by a familiar face to fans of senior ball in the Battlefords, in North Battleford Beavers pitcher and shortstop, Gavin Nolin.

Nolin was named League MVP for the second time in the last five years, also winning back in 2019 as a member of the Battleford Trappers. He joins rarified air alongside former North Battleford Junior Beavers’ standout, Brett Harrison (1999, 2016) as the lone other player to win multiple MVPs in the 19-year history of the league.

Nolin told battlefordsNOW what it means to be recognized for the hardware.

“It’s special, I mean it’s nice to get recognized and to get the award again, it’s something I never really thought about, but it’s nice that it worked out that way and I can give a lot of credit to the rest of the lineup too,” he said. “It’s really hard for opposing pitching when you have to work so hard one-through-nine in our lineup and everybody can hit the ball.”

In 12 games with the Beavers this season, Nolin led the NSRBL in hits (24), home runs (four), and runs batted in (20), while finishing second in runs (21) and batting average (min. 10 games) with a .585.

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Proficient and precise with his swing at the plate, Nolin’s prowess also earned him the league’s Top Hitter Award, as the Beavers’ slugger was struck out just three times in 44 at-bats, the fewest of any player with over 40 appearances at the plate.

On top of his impact as the league’s most prolific hitter, Nolin also posted 15 strikeouts on the other side of the ball over 10.1 innings pitched at the mound.

Nolin’s MVP campaign came to a premature end in the Beavers’ opening game of the playoffs against Glaslyn, when he suffered a season-ending lower body injury while sliding into second base. However, that hasn’t stopped him from being present at games and supporting his team on their run to the league finals, where they have a chance to close things out tonight against the Unity Cardinals.

“I’m always there and the guys are going on a big run right now, so I’m just happy to be there watching,” he said.

Tonight will be Game 2 of the Beavers’ best-of-three series with Unity for the league championship. First pitch in Unity will be at 6:30 p.m.

Top Pitcher, Cooper Olson

Also recognized with NSRBL year-end hardware is Cooper Olson of the Standard Hill Lakers, who was named the league’s Top Pitcher.

Cooper Olson of the Standard Hill Lakers is presented the Top Picher Award by NSRBL co-commissioner, Lorne Nielsen. (Submitted photo/NSRBL)

In 21 innings pitched, Olson led the NSRBL (min 20 innings) allowing the fewest walks/hits per inning pitched (WHIP) at 1.38, and the lowest earned run average (ERA) with a 3.33, while adding 27 strikeouts, good for third-most at the position.

“It definitely was a good year, and it was pretty easy to pitch in front of a talented team like we have in Standard Hill so that definitely helps,” Olson said reflecting on the award. “It’s nice to be recognized in a league with so many guys that can throw so well.”

In addition to the league award winners, Nolin and Olson, the following players were also named their team MVPs for the 2023 NSRBL season: Drew Nelson, Mervin Flyers; Brett Esau, Meadow Lake Sox; Kelton Hanley, Lloyd Twins; Andrew Hicks, Glaslyn Orioles; Garin Scherr, Unity Cardinals.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1