2026 Madison Blue Jays Win First 32+ Championship in MABL of Southern Wisconsin
Southern Wisconsin MABL, 32+ Division
Madison Blue Jays 3, Latin America 1
Submitted by Chris Jackson, manager
VERONA, Wisconsin – The Madison Blue Jays secured their first MABL of Southern Wisconsin 32+ Division championship in their second year of existence on Friday, Oct. 2, beating Latin America 3-1 on a crisp fall evening.
The Jays, led by manager and league president Chris Jackson, and Latin America, led by Luis Petit and Erick Tavarez, faced each other three times earlier in the season with the Jays winning each game by one run.
In the championship, the Jays struck first in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs on only one hit, a leadoff single by Brian Covington. Walks were the theme as three walks in the next four batters, including an RBI walk by Rob Capener, plated Covington with the first run of the game. A fielder’s choice off the bat of Ben Taft brought in Ian Smith. The final run of the inning came via wild pitch as Jackson scored from third.
Jays starter Corey Schmidt settled in and threw five innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits and two walks, striking out five. His defense sparkled, committing no errors and turning two crucial double plays.
Standout defensive plays by Josh Osness in right field and Covington in center field killed rallies and momentum for Latin America in the middle innings.
Latin America put together a rally in the sixth against reliever Kris Herring, scratching a run across on one hit, two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but bad batted-ball luck again killed their rally when a smash line drive found first baseman Craig Vruwink’s glove to end the inning.
Jays rookie Zach Boyce earned the save pitching a clean seventh inning with two strikeouts. The game ended on a weak comebacker, securing the trophy for the Jays.
Latin America was led by Nelson Valdez, who went the distance on the mound, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. He struck out five.
On the season, the Jays were led offensively by Covington, who batted .593. Jackson led the team with three home runs. Covington, Smith, Vruwink and Ryan Geil each hit two home runs this season. Taft led the team with 12 RBI.
Schmidt, Herring, Boyce, and Bill Coker pitched the bulk of the innings for the Jays. Schmidt led in ERA (2.08) and WHIP (1.39), Boyce led in wins (6) and strikeouts (40), and Herring led the team in saves (3).
Athletics first baseman Adam Leonard led the 32+ Division with a .659 batting average. His five home runs ranked second in the league behind teammate and division vice president Dan Haueter, who hit six. Hodag’s ace Brian Henschel led the league in ERA with a minimum of innings at 2.84, while Boyce led the league in strikeouts.