Wolverines Win CABA State Championship

Pictured left to right back row: Coach Jeff Valentine Brighton, Lucas Montgomery Lamar, Charlie Ferris Lamar, Dominic Villiano Brighton, Davey Reyes Lamar, Evan Reed Lamar, Braden Forney Lamar, Coach Kevin Forney Lamar.
L to R Front Row: Lucas Torres Brighton, Evan Bolin Brighton, Parker Valentine Brighton, Miguel Rodriguez Lamar, Chris Torres Lamar and Zach Massey Brighton.

The Wolverines 14-year-old baseball team is comprised of 7 Lamar players and 5 Brighton players. The Wolverines have competed in several tournaments this year in the Pueblo and Denver areas with three first place finishes and one second place finish. The Wolverines were able to close out their amazing season with a CABA State Title on July 1st in Littleton. Playing mostly USSSA tournaments, the Wolverines are sporting an overall record of 28-6. They are the No. 1 ranked team in the state of Colorado and rank No. 20 in the nation according to the USSSA power ranking system.

The Wolverines have two tournaments left, the USSSA State tourney in Denver on July 13-15 and the Mid-America Small Town Classic in Dodge City, KS on July 21-22. All the Lamar players from the Wolverines will also be representing Lamar in the 14-year-old Junior Babe Ruth Regional Tournament scheduled for August 3-8 here in Lamar.

The Wolverines are coached by Jeff Valentine of Brighton and Kevin Forney of Lamar. The roster is comprised of:

Lamar:
Braden Forney
Lucas Montgomery
Charlie Ferris
Evan Reed
Davey Reyes
Chris Torres
Miguel Rodriguez

Brighton:
Parker Valentine
Dominic Villano
Evan Bolin
Lucas Torres
Zach Massey

It has often been asked how this team comprised of boys living 3 hours apart can laud such an amazing record with fewer than 3 combined practices. Previously, Kevin Forney and Jeff Valentine coached the Brighton boys together. Following Coach Forney’s subsequent move to Lamar, he employed the same coaching style here with the Lamar boys while Jeff worked with the boys up north. Add in a little finesse and boys who really want to work and win, well, let the scoreboard speak for itself. It has been a great experience for the boys all around. Much thanks goes to the coaches who have volunteered their time and talents and to the parents who have helped and supported the team as well.

Courtesy of Shirley Anderson