Blue Jackets season ends in Cedaredge

Finish season 7-6

The Crested Butte Blue Jackets fell one game shy of the championship, losing to Cedaredge 12-2 last Wednesday in Cedaredge.

The Blue Jackets entered the post-season the number three seed and were scheduled to open with a game against Delta II at Tommy V Field.
Unfortunately, Delta was a no show, leaving the Blue Jackets without a potential warm-up for their rematch with Cedaredge.
Cedaredge came to Crested Butte two weeks ago for a double-header with the Blue Jackets edging out a 12-8 win over Crested Butte in the first game.
Weather marred the chance for the Blue Jackets to avenge the loss, postponing the rematch until the post-season.
Confidence was high among the Blue Jackets team heading into their first playoff game and coach Dave McGuire looked to set the tone with some words prior to the first pitch.
“I had a chat with the team and told them they’re the best athletes in the league,” said McGuire. “I told them to come out hitting, swinging the bat and get on base, and they did that.”
Unfortunately, they stopped there as the Blue Jackets left numerous runners on base all game long, lacking the final hit to turn base runners into runs.
Cedaredge opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as a walk turned into a run when the base runner stole second and third and scored to take a 1-0 lead.
Ryan Costello was hot and cold on the mound, mixing in walks with strikeouts. Cedaredge took advantage of the walks when given in the bottom of the second, driving runs to build a 4-0 lead.
“We were in our normal hole and feeling good,” quipped McGuire.
The Blue Jackets bats continued to put runners on base in the top of the third and it looked like they were due for another classic mid-game comeback.
Nolan Blunck led off with a base hit, one of three he would have that night. Troy Pike moved Blunck to third with a hit. Liam Mortell took one for the team and was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with one out.
But as was the case that evening, the Blue Jackets came up empty as the next hitter hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.
Crested Butte finally found the right combination in the top of the fifth inning, started by Aaron Blunck with a single.
Costello tapped a base hit and Nolan pushed them home with a two-RBI base hit.
Just as things were looking up at the plate though, pitching woes for the Blue Jackets set in for good in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Both Costello and Pike struggled on the mound and Cedaredge took advantage of the flurry of walks peppering in some base hits to score seven runs to go up 12-2, forcing umpires to enforce the 10-run rule and call the game.
“It was a bad luck game but we weren’t doing anything to get our good luck going,” said McGuire. “It wasn’t the way we wanted to end the season.”
The Blue Jackets finished with a record of 7-6 with Pike and Blunck leading the hitters finishing the season with batting averages above .500. Mortell, Tylor Byers, Peter Bright and Aaron Blunck all finished the season hitting above .400.
“That’s pretty solid,” says McGuire. “You want the whole roster somewhere in there.”
With 12 players set to return next season, McGuire is already looking ahead to next spring.
“I thought it was a pretty successful season,” said McGuire. “We had a young squad that got some good experience and I got great help coaching from David Bright. I’m looking forward to the crew we have coming back next year.”
A handful of Blue Jackets will officially end their season this week as they try out for spots on the all-star team for additional games in July.
“We got a couple guys who should make the team,” said McGuire.