Jets compete in final fall games 

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

The final games of the 2025-26 fall season came and went this past weekend for the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball Jets. This past weekend, the Jets took on the ATHX Academy in three games to wrap up the outdoor games.

On Friday in a doubleheader, the Jets kicked things off with a bang as they notched 18 hits in a 17-7 win. Hudson Nikkel led the way with a 4-5 day, including a home run and four RBI, while Will Zielinski had two, including a home run and four RBI. Matt Getz and Noah McIntosh each had three hits, Tanner Morris had a pair, and Kaleb Bozek, Gerrit Vanderwal, Kaden Carson, and Mark Vulcano all had a hit in the win. Graham Thiessen pitched three innings as the starter, and he punched out five hitters while allowing five earned runs on seven hits and a walk. Charlie McMillan was the first man called from the bullpen and allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk. McMillan also struck out four hitters in his two innings. Ben Connolly was the last pitcher for VAB and went two innings with four strikeouts. One unearned run scored on a hit and walk.

Wrapping up Friday’s action, the Jets continued to hit the ball well. While ATHX Academy was able to put plenty of runs on the board, it was VAB who was able to win the game 12-11. Each team had 10 hits, and Thiessen had four of them, four VAB, three of which were doubles. Vanderwal hit a home run, while Getz, Nikkel, Bozek, Morris, and Carson all had one hit in the win. Calum Andersen started on the mound and went three innings with four earned runs allowed on four hits. The starter had three strikeouts in his appearance. Nolan Tompkins pitched in relief and went two innings with a strikeout while allowing five runs (four earned) on two hits and a walk. Aiden Sloan was the next man up, and the pitcher had three strikeouts. Two earned runs scored on three hits and two walks. Zielinski finished things off with an inning of work where one batter reached on a hit.

On Saturday, the two teams played a nine-inning game that resulted in a lopsided 24-8 win for the Jets. Nikkel went 3-5 with six RBI and two home runs, and Zielinski was also 3-5 with two RBI and a HR. Thiessen, Morris, and Carson all had a pair of hits, and Bozek hit a home run while McIntosh, Vanderwal, and Vulcano all had a hit. Noah Simpson took the ball to start and pitched two innings with a strikeout while allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk. Cedric Leblanc pitched a single inning with one walk allowed. Josh Daloise pitched 1.1 innings with four earned runs allowed on four hits, three walks, and two punch-outs. Carter Bevans pitched next and gave VAB 2.2 innings with two earned runs allowed on a hit and a walk while striking out one. Jacob Flach pitched a single inning where he allowed one hit. Bozek was the final man called from the bullpen and he allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

Last outdoor event for the Jets is the 100-inning marathon game set for Oct. 19 at Jets Stadium.