A historic win: North Regina's 2023 Little League World Series appearance remains one for the history books
North Regina’s Little League World Series run may have come to an end over the weekend. However, the team is leaving the competition having done something no team from Regina has done before – win a game.
North Regina’s journey to Williamsport, Pa. began on home turf with an unlikely comeback at the Little League Canadian Championships in Regina.
After three straight losses off the hop – North Regina was forced to win out – and they did.
“We had like a team meeting out on the field when we lost and everybody said, 'Let's go boys, we're gonna win this boys,'” Nickson Hjelsing, told CTV News on Aug. 10.
"We just kept grinding, winning one game at a time, one pitch at a time," Braeden McQueen added.
With their ticket to the Little League World Series punched, they packed for Pennsylvania – becoming just the second team from Regina to ever make it there.
The first came in 2002 where the team was competitive in each of its games but was unable to pick up a win.
A little rain on the parade in Williamsport was not nearly enough to dampen their spirits.
"The boys are just soaking in this event, the opportunity that's in front of them," Coach Dean McQueen told CTV Morning Live on Aug. 16.
The team’s first opponent on the international stage was a difficult one in Chinese Taipei.
Regardless, the squad was optimistic at the start of the game.
“[We’re feeling] pretty good. We're here now – just gonna go out there, throw my best, do my best, do what I can," Jaxon Weir told TSN on Aug. 17.
Despite facing a team that finished in the finals of the international bracket in 2022, North Regina held Chinese Taipei to six runs.
The loss put them in a must-win situation against their next opponent – the Czech Republic.
The team played well – shutting out the Czechs 3-0 and making history as the first Regina team ever to win a game at the World Series.
Unfortunately, the journey came to an end the following day in the squad’s matchup against Mexico – resulting in a 10-1 loss.
The players were left with a glimpse at big dreams – taking in the MLB Little League classic later that night – creating memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Poilievre threatens to delay MPs' holidays with House tactics, Gould warns of impact on Canadians
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to delay MPs' holidays by throwing up thousands of procedural motions seeking to block Liberal legislation until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backs off his carbon tax. It's a move Government House Leader Karina Gould was quick to condemn, warning the Official Opposition leader's 'temper tantrum' tactics will impact Canadians.
Bank of Canada holds its key interest rate steady at 5% in final decision of 2023
The Bank of Canada once again held its key interest rate steady at five per cent Wednesday, encouraged by evidence that higher rates are helping bring inflation down.
Norman Lear, producer of TV's 'All in the Family' and influential liberal advocate, has died at 101
Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with 'All in the Family' and 'Maude,' propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.
A young nurse suffered cardiac arrest while training on the condition. Fellow nurses saved her life
Andy Hoang was excited about attending a November practice session on how to respond to someone in cardiac arrest. But as things were getting under way at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Hoang, 23, started to feel dizzy and nauseated. She felt she needed to sit down.
Boston woman paddleboarding near Bahamas resort killed in shark attack, police say
A 44-year-old American visiting the Bahamas from Boston was killed in a shark attack while paddleboarding near a beach resort Monday, according to local authorities.
Bills say edge rusher facing domestic violence charge will practice, play
Though disappointed in the allegations of domestic violence made against Von Miller, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane stressed on Wednesday that he wants the legal process to play out and not rush to making any judgements.
'I am begging you': Father of shooting victim urges senators to pass Canadian gun bill
The father of a woman who was fatally shot in October by her former partner is urging senators to pass a federal gun-control bill without delay.
Senators were intimidated, had their privilege breached, Speaker rules
Any attempt to intimidate a senator while in the process of fulfilling their duties is a breach of their privilege, even if the effort is ultimately unsuccessful, the Speaker of the Senate ruled Tuesday.
Florida man, already facing death for a 1998 murder, now indicted for a 2nd. Detectives fear others
A convicted murderer already on Florida's death row for the 1998 slaying of one woman is now charged with a second killing that happened two weeks later, with investigators believing he may be tied to even more deaths.