McFarland: Wouters named Region IX Player of the Year
Going Yard Academy grad Cory Wouters (Saskatoon, Sask.) has been named the Region IX Player of the Year and First-Team designated hitter. Photo: McCook Athletics
*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on May 23. You can read it here.
May 24, 2025
By Joe McFarland
Saskatchewan Dugout Stories
Cory Wouters was waiting for it.
The Saskatoon native had gotten used to going through a mid-season slump every year where it felt like he would go hitless for a few games or wouldn’t catch his usual breaks.
Even in his freshman season at McCook Community College where he was named an All-Midlands First-Team utility player, he went through a short stretch where the ball eluded his bat.
Much to his surprise and delight, Wouters avoided a sophomore slump and his usual empty boxscore.
Dazzling spectators at the plate and on the mound, the utilityman has been named the Region IX Player of the Year and First-Team designated hitter.
“It means a lot to me to receive the award,” Wouters told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.
“Being recognized in any league as one of the best players is a huge honour and I’m grateful for that.”
It puts a cherry on top of what has been a record-setting couple of seasons for the Going Yard Academy alum, who is now getting ready for the next step in his baseball career.
FANTASTIC FIRST YEAR
After an outstanding career in his home province, including representing Baseball Sask at a number of major events, Wouters was determined to keep rolling in his collegiate debut.
The 6-foot-2 Aden Bowman Collegiate grad did exactly that by hitting .416 with nine home runs and 44 runs batted in over the 52-game season at McCook.
He also went 3-7 on the mound with an 8.71 earned-run average in 11 appearances, although blowing people away with 69 strikeouts in 41+ innings.
Despite his midseason slump concerns, Wouters’ longest hitless streak was two games, which happened three times, although he did have long stretches without the long ball.
He managed to do that in big situations though, like in the conference tournament when Wouters hit a game-tying grand slam.
“I think that was coolest moment for me,” Wouters said. “It definitely sticks with me the most.”
The Indians went on to win that game but their season came to an end in the following contest.
The accolades started to stack up for their rising star after the season, as he was named the Region IX Newcomer of the Year and the Region IX Second-Team, as well as the aforementioned All-Midlands honour.
After an outstanding freshman season with McCook Community College, Going Yard Academy alum Cory Wouters (Saskatoon, Sask.) was even better in his sophomore campaign, setting a school record with 96 RBIs. Photo: McCook Athletics
SOPHOMORE STRONG
Aiming to provide more muscle to the middle of the McCook batting order in his sophomore season, Wouters immediately went into refining his game.
He spent last summer with the expansion Saskatoon Berries, hitting .321 with two roundtrippers and 16 RBIs in 28 games, adding another five hits in four playoff games.
On the mound, Wouters made 13 relief appearances, going 1-1 with a 5.17 ERA, striking out 22 in a little more than 24 innings.
He worked hard in the offseason and made an immediate impact again upon his return to college.
Wouters had a three-homer game against Bismarck State College on February 22 to be named the Canadian Baseball Network’s College Player of the Week and picked up his first of three regional player of the week nods.
The highlight of the season, by far, had to be an incredible performance against Colby Community College on April 1.
In a wild 23-22 Indians win, Wouters and fellow Saskatchewan native Cam Marshak hit for the cycle against each other.
“I’ve had a couple good games this season, but I don’t think I’ve had a game that is more memorable to me than this one,” said Wouters, who finished the day going 5-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, two homers and eight RBIs.
Wouters finished the season with a .437 batting average to go along with 21 home runs and 96 RBIs.
He had the third-most RBIs in the entire country, and tied for eighth-most home runs among players from 159 National Junior College Athletic Association D1 schools.
INTO McCOOK’S BOOKS
Wouters’ outstanding sophomore season also allowed him to etch his name into McCook lore.
His 96 runs batted in mark the most by any player in a single season.
“It’s really awesome knowing I’ll be in the record books here,” he said. “But I think I have to give credit to the guys hitting in front of me, because if they’re not on and in scoring position, my RBIs just turn into hits.”
The left-throwing and right-hitting force also moved into second for batting average, most home runs and total bases in a season, and tied for second in hits (90) and doubles (20).
All the while, he also improved his pitching numbers by going 4-3 with a 6.42 ERA in nine appearances, striking out 51 batters in 40+ innings.
So, what does Wouters do for an encore as he moves on from junior college?
He says consistency is the name of the game, as he plans to put in the same kind of work and attention to detail as he looks to take the next step in his baseball journey.
“When it comes to games, just staying confident in myself no matter how a game or a weekend is going.”
“I didn’t let myself get down, which I believe helped me avoid the midseason slump I always have,” Wouters said.
Cory Wouters (Saskatoon, Sask.) will play with his hometown Saskatoon Berries of the Western Canadian Baseball League this summer. Photo: Saskatoon Berries
He’s planning to rejoin the Berries this summer and has verbally committed to Winthrop University in South Carolina for the fall.
Wouters’ star continues to shine brightly while a few more awards and accolades are likely in the offing before the college baseball season comes to an end.