The Carlyle Cardinals are off to a sizzling start as the Saskota Baseball League kicks into high gear amid extreme heat in southeast Saskatchewan.

The Cardinals, who are the three-time defending league champions, are off to a 3-0 start after wins over Kipling, Redvers, and Kenosee.

The Estevan Tap House Wolves are also 3-0 to start the year.

The league also expanded this year to 11 teams, with the Weyburn Sun Devils and Moosomin Badgers being added.

That means there are now two divisions, with six teams in the south, including the Tap House Wolves and Southeast Diamondbacks, along with five teams in the north.

There are three games scheduled for Thursday night, with the Diamondbacks hosting the Oxbow Chiefs, Carnduff visiting Arcola, and Redvers at Kipling.