February 15, 2023

By Jeff Duda

Okotoks Dawgs

The Okotoks Dawgs are excited to announce three big NCAA Division 1 signings - Cesar Valero (OF, Sac State University), Christian Cooney (OF, University of Portland) and Jackson Fraser (RHP, Northern Kentucky University).

Dawgs fans will be familiar with Valero and Fraser, both are products of the Dawgs Academy and Fraser was part of the 2022 championship season. Cooney comes from the University of Portland, a new connection through Dawgs Academy coach, Bryan Donohue.

Cesar Valero (Calgary, Alta.) – Outfield, Sacramento State University

Valero, a homegrown product of the Dawgs Academy and former Team Canada Junior National Team standout, had a banner year in 2022 for the Sacramento State Hornets. Prior to a season-ending shoulder injury, Valero batted .297 with seven doubles, 13 home runs and 38 RBIs while scoring 36 runs in 39 games.

Christian Cooney – Outfield, University of Portland

Cooney is coming off a solid sophomore season in 2022 for the Pilots. In limited playing time, Cooney hit .340 with two doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs while scoring eight runs in 15 games played.

Jackson Fraser (Swift Current, Sask.) – RHP, Northern Kentucky University

A native of Swift Current, Sask., Fraser is also a Dawgs Academy alum. Since graduating from the Academy, Fraser won a NJCAA D2 World Series Championship with the LSU-Eunice Bengals before transferring to NCAA D1 Northern Kentucky University, where he is now in his first year with the Norse.