Jets compete in final tournament of the spring

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

Once the weather turns warm, the months fly by and for the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball Jets, the spring season is nearing its end. After a tournament win at home, the Jets were back on the road this past weekend as they were in Montana competing in the Missoula Memorial Day Tournament. 

The first game of the tournament on Saturday was against the Bozeman Bucks and it went right down to the wire. Despite being down 5-0 after four innings, VAB battled back late. In the bottom of the seventh, the Jets saw Aaron Fuzesy hit a two-run shot that walked off the Bucks 6-5. Along with Fuzesy’s home run, the Jets saw one hit from Easton Kitura (triple, three RBI), Callum Thomson, Ben Simmons, Noah McIntosh, and Langdyn Cummins. On the mound, Kaleb Bozek got the start and gave Vauxhall 3.2 innings with five runs allowed (one earned) on six hits and no walks. He also punched out three batters. Charlie McMillan pitched 3.1 innings to finish the game off and struck out two while only allowing two walks and one hit.

“We opened up with the Bozeman Bucks and we didn’t play particularly well. We were down 4-0 until the sixth inning and we scored a couple of runs to make it close. In the bottom of the seventh, Aaron Fuzesy hit a two-run walk-off homer,” explained Les McTavish, head coach of the Jets.

After an eventual game to open the tournament, the Jets looked to go 2-0 when they took on the Badlands Badgers later that day. Once again, the Jets saw themselves in an early hole but they were once again able to dig their way out as they scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to take it 4-3. Alex Laurence led the way with a pair of hits while Kitura, Thomson, Jaxon George, and Jacob Austin all contributed with a hit. Aiden Sloan was the starter for VAB and pitched 3.2 innings where he allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five Badgers. Calum Andersen threw the final 2.1 innings and struck out four while also walking four. 

“We played Badlands Academy the next game and we pitched it well but we didn’t hit the ball well again. We ended up beating them 4-3 late,” added McTavish.

On Sunday, VAB was back on the diamond to take on the Helena Senators. After Fuzesy hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh, the teams went into extras. The Jets were unable to find a run in the top half of the inning and the Senators were able to win it 3-2 thanks to a passed ball. Thomson notched another two hits while Kitura, Cummins, and Fuzesy had the others. Kaden Coldwell was lights out over seven innings as the Jets’ pitcher struck out eight while allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks. Hudson Kozicki collected one out and two walks in relief. 

“Game three we had the Helena Senators and Kaden Coldwell gave us a start on the mound that was exceptional. We ended up going to extra innings — and lost 3-2,” said McTavish.

Later on Sunday, the Jets were back playing the host Missoula Mavericks. The Jets out-hit Missoula 8-1 as Sheamus Ryan dominated on the mound with a complete game shutout. The left-hander allowed one hit and two walks while striking out six batters. Alex Laurence led the way offensively with a double, a triple, and three RBI while Kitura had two hits and an RBI. Thomson, Simmons, McIntosh, and Cummins all had one hit in the win. 

“They are the defending state champions in Montana and Sheamus Ryan threw a gem — a complete game, one-hitter and shutout. He was exceptional and it was a 0-0 game late but we got some runs late,” explained McTavish.

In their final round-robin game on Monday, the Jets took on the CDA Lumberman. The Jets hung eight runs on the board in the first inning as they cruised to an 11-3 win in five innings. Kitura had two hits while Laurence, Thomson, Simmons, Bozek, and Cummins all secured one hit. Graham Thiessen pitched all five innings as he gave the Jets nine strikeouts while allowing three earned runs on four hits. 

“Our last round-robin game was against Coeur d’Alene and we swung the bats really well. We ended up winning 11-3 and Graham Thiessen ended up throwing a complete game there,” added McTavish.

Finishing 4-1 in the round-robin, the Jets had to wait to see if they had advanced to the final. When all the other games played out, the Jets had advanced to the final and took on the host Mavericks. Tied 1-1 after the first, neither team could muster much over the next several innings. In the fifth, the Jets’ bats were able to break through with five runs which was all they would need as they won the championship 9-3. 

Simmons had a pair of hits including a triple, Fuzesy had another two-hit game which included a double, while Austin and McIntosh also had extra-base hits. Laurence, Thomson, and George each had a base hit in the win. Carter Bevans got the start for VAB and pitched 4.1 innings with one earned run, five hits, a walk, and six strikeouts. Cedric LeBlanc was the first man out of the bullpen and the right-hander pitched two innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. Kozicki shut the door in the seventh as he got the final two outs on strikeouts. 

“We had to wait around for two games to find out if we were going to get in or not depending if there were tie-breakers. We ended up getting in and we play Missoula in the final,” continued McTavish. “Carter Bevans started and then threw a young arm as well. It was a 1-1 game and we exploded for five runs in the top of the sixth. We added some more insurance runs in the top of the seventh but they started to get back in the game in the bottom of the seventh. Hudson Kozicki came in with the bases loaded and struck out two guys to finish off the season. A couple of championships back to back and we’re certainly happy with that. We’re beat up — we ended the season 40-15-1 so we played the most games that we’ve ever played. We never lost a game due to weather which is great.”

The Jets have one final game this season as they head to Lethbridge on Friday to take part in the annual TCMM Game against the Lethbridge Bulls. The first pitch goes at 6 p.m. at Spitz Stadium. 

“The TCMM game is going to be a little different this year — they’re going to do Banana Ball like the Savannah Bananas. The rules will be different and it will be fun and a great way to celebrate Mitch and Tanner’s life and the tragedy that happened,” explained McTavish. “It’s good to get on the field with the Bulls and celebrate two great men. You still want to go out and play but have some fun which is exactly who they were.”