Colorado Ball Players Academy Claims Pathway Colorado Upperclass Crown After Statement Sunday
Colorado Springs, CO — July 20, 2025
Under the bright mountain sun at the United States Air Force Academy, four of the region's top upperclass teams stepped onto Falcon Field with one goal: a championship. After a day filled with grit, firepower, and big moments, it was Colorado Ball Players Academy (CBPA) 18U who stood tallest — capping their run with a dominant 15–6 victory over Elite Baseball – Vais to win the 2025 Pathway Colorado Upperclass Division Championship.
Semifinal 1: Elite Baseball – Vais Edges Colorado Saints in Extra-Inning Thriller
The morning opened with a battle between Elite Baseball – Vais and a determined Colorado Saints 17U squad. The Saints struck first, building a 3–0 lead behind a Braden Kurtz RBI single and a base hit from Quinn Marr.
But Elite responded. A three-run rally in the fourth, capped by RBI production from Keegan Millikan, Jeramiah Gonzales, and Beau Friesen, brought the game level. Millikan came through again in the fifth with a two-RBI single to give Elite a 5–3 lead.
Jake Cody of the Saints tied the game with a no-doubt homer in the seventh, pushing the game to extras.
In the eighth, Winston Patterson played the hero — smashing a go-ahead double that sealed a 7–6 win for Elite. Kellen Conley locked it down in relief, and Elite punched their ticket to the title game with a gutsy, come-from-behind win.
Semifinal 2: CBPA 18U Makes Their Intentions Clear
In the second semifinal, Colorado Ball Players Academy 18U wasted no time showing why they were the team to beat.
Their lineup fired on all cylinders — Bobby Hyatt went 1-for-1 with an RBI and perfect on-base numbers, KC Reiser posted a monster 1.667 OPS, and Josiah Hussey delivered with 2 RBIs and quality at-bats.
Kodie Shafter and Lucas Kelnhofer each went 1-for-2 with a walk, setting the table consistently. Jack Schoenheider brought run-producing pop from the middle of the order, and the team as a whole clicked in all phases.
The Canes never let the game get close, handling business and cruising into the final — where they would face an Elite squad running on emotion and momentum.
Championship Game: CBPA 18U Overwhelms Elite Baseball – Vais, 15–6
With the title on the line, CBPA 18U delivered their most dominant effort of the tournament, combining early offense, relentless pressure, and late-inning firepower to secure a 15–6 win over Elite.
First & Second: Quick Start
CBPA jumped ahead 2–0 in the first, thanks to RBI knocks from Chase Hoelting and Braidon Brown. Elite threatened with bases loaded in the second but managed just one run, allowing CBPA to escape and maintain momentum.
Third Inning Surge
The knockout punch began in the third — a five-run explosion featuring a pressure bunt, a throwing error, and back-to-back RBI hits from Lucas Kellenhofer and Kodie Shafter. By the time the inning ended, CBPA had a 7–1 lead.
Elite chipped away, scoring in the fourth and sixth to cut it to 9–6, but CBPA always responded.
Seventh-Inning Statement
CBPA slammed the door in the top of the seventh.
Hyatt singled. Hussey walked. Schoenheider delivered another RBI. Then Kyler Colbert crushed a double, followed by Shafter's second RBI single of the game. The lead ballooned to 15–6, and Elite had nothing left in the tank.
A clean defensive frame sealed the win — and the celebration was on.
Championship Standouts
    •    Chase Hoelting – 3 RBIs (2 sac flies, 1 single), reached base 3 times
    •    Kodie Shafter – 3 hits, 2 RBI singles, 2 runs scored
    •    Jack Schoenheider – Multiple RBIs, consistent production in key spots
    •    KC Reiser & Braidon Brown – Top-of-the-order firepower and execution
    •    Kyler Colbert – RBI double in seventh to put the game away
A Crown Earned
From a loud semifinal showing to an exclamation-point title game, Colorado Ball Players Academy 18U left no doubt. Their lineup depth, plate discipline, and relentless approach made them the clear class of the Upperclass Division.
