As the 2026 baseball season gets underway, the Soo 18U Black Sox are not starting from scratch—they’re building from a foundation that already proved it can compete at a high level.
Coming off a strong 2025 campaign that saw the Black Sox post a 32-31-1 record against Michigan high school programs and 19U American Legion teams, Head Coach Mike Lebel believes this year’s group is positioned to take another step forward.
“Our coaching staff is looking to build on last year’s success with the majority of last year’s roster returning,” said Lebel. “It was a rewarding season for our group, especially considering we were a true 18U team competing mostly against 19U competition.”
That experience against older, more mature opponents is expected to pay dividends in 2026, as the Black Sox return a veteran core mixed with a wave of promising newcomers.
A Team Built on Development and Compete Level
At the heart of the Black Sox program is a commitment to development—both individually and as a team.
“The goal of our coaching staff is to develop every player’s individual skill set within our team framework,” Lebel explained. “We will prepare them to make sure that we are not outworked or out hustled by our opponents.”
It’s a mindset that goes beyond wins and losses. For Lebel and his staff, adversity is part of the process.
“We will accept defeat and take those moments as a learning opportunity,” he added. “We have a saying that I remind our players several times a year—hustle beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle.”
Pitching Depth Could Be the Difference
One of the defining strengths of the 2026 Black Sox is their pitching depth—arguably the deepest the program has seen in years.
“We have 14 pitchers available to us, which is probably the largest number of pitchers that we’ve had for many years,” said Lebel. “With that many pitchers, there will be competition for innings, and that will bring out the best in everyone.”
That internal competition is expected to sharpen the staff and give the coaching group flexibility as they navigate a demanding schedule.
Veteran Leadership Returns
The Black Sox roster features 18 players, including four 19-year-olds who bring valuable experience and leadership.
Among the key returnees are:
- Kolton Tremblay (P/OF)
- Lucas Diberardino (C/2B)
- Lucas Carriere (P/INF)
- Zach Allard (C)
Tremblay and Diberardino return after spending the 2025 season with the Sault College Cougars, while Carriere gained experience with the Laurentian Voyageurs. Their exposure to higher levels of competition is expected to elevate the entire roster.
Seven Newcomers to Watch
Blending into that veteran group are seven first-year players who will be counted on to grow into impact roles:
- Aaron Keough (C)
- Bryson Palahnuk (C/INF/P)
- Jacob Scornaiencki (P/INF)
- Owen Nott (OF)
- Jakson Carroll (P/INF)
- John Anthony Giallonardo (OF/INF)
- Richard Cond (P/INF)
“The expectation is that they will all develop over the course of the year and be key contributors,” said Lebel.
Their development will be critical as the team prepares for its ultimate goal—competing for the Rep “A” 18U Provincial Championship in Clarington from August 14–16.
A Structured Path to Peak Performance
The Black Sox schedule is designed with progression in mind.
From mid-April through June 1, the team will face Michigan high school competition, typically playing around 22 games depending on weather. This early stretch provides an opportunity to evaluate players and establish roles—especially on the mound.
“We’ll use the month of May when we are playing high school teams in Michigan to assess our younger pitchers and find roles best suited for team success,” Lebel noted.
The competition ramps up in June, beginning with a four-game series in Thunder Bay from June 5–7. From there, the Black Sox will primarily face 19U teams from across Northern Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin leading into provincials.
They’ll also compete in the Superior Algoma Baseball League (SABL), which includes:
- Soo Black Sox 19U
- EUP Wood Ducks
- Gaylord Baseball Club
- Northern Michigan Patriots
Keys to Success
While pitching depth is a major asset, Lebel emphasized that success will ultimately come down to execution in the fundamentals.
“Playing solid defence by making the routine plays and not giving opponents extra outs, along with keeping pitch counts down, will keep us competitive in most games,” he said. “If we can do that consistently, it will give us a good year.”
One of the unique challenges this season? Managing that pitching depth.
“One of the nicer big challenges will be finding innings for our pitchers to develop,” Lebel added.
Eyes on August
Everything the Black Sox do this season—from early-season matchups in Michigan to high-level competition in the SABL—is building toward one goal: peaking at the right time.
With a deep roster, experienced leadership, and a clear identity built on hustle and development, the Soo 18U Black Sox are poised to be a team to watch heading into the 2026 Rep “A” Provincial Championships.
And if they live up to their motto, they won’t just compete—they’ll make sure no one outworks them along the way.
