Judge, Jauregui lead Wyoming All-Stars to victory

On the game’s biggest stage, the Cheyenne Grizzlies didn’t disappoint.

Tuesday night, the MCBL All-Star Game traveled to Cheyenne for the first time and the Wyoming All-Stars recorded its first victory over Colorado in the midseason classic, 10-3.

Cheyenne’s K.C. Judge, who hit a home run Monday against Fort Collins and participated in the Home Run Derby Monday evening, got the scoring going with a second-inning blast off of Colorado starter Zach McElroy of Fort Collins.

“It definitely meant a lot to get that home run,” Judge said. “I thought about that before the game and how nice it would be to hit a home run in an all-star game because I had never done that. So that was pretty special.”

Later in the game, Judge would double from the left side to bring in his second run of the contest.

Cheyenne’s Jose Jauregui, who leads the team in hits, runs, batting average and stolen bases at the break, stole the show, though, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored.

“I am always looking to have a good approach at the plate, no matter the game,” Jauregui said. “I’m just trying to get on base however I can.”

Jauregui also recorded five assists at shortstop, including a slick 6-4-3 double play to end the fourth inning, leaving two Colorado runners on base.

“You're out here having fun, and when you're having fun and playing with no pressure, you perform better,” Jauregui said. “We're all just loose and enjoying the game. This is really the only opportunity to sit back and enjoy the game. That really helped us out.”

Wyoming benefited from three runs in the fourth, another in the fifth and four in the sixth to blow the game open.

The Wyoming All-Star team had 14 representatives from Cheyenne, including starters Kevin Logan (0-for-2, walk), Jauregui, Mike Domenick (1-2, run), Judge (2-for-2, home run, double, two RBI, run), Jefre Johnson (0-for-2) and Bryce Reid (one inning pitched, one strikeout, one hit allowed), who opened the game on the hill. Also representing the Grizzlies were Mike Lessig (1-for-2, run), Andy Athans (0-for-1, walk), Mike Wido (1-for-1, walk), Ryan Schwenn (one inning pitched, three hits and two runs allowed), Josh Boyer (0-for-1), Ryan Javech (0-for-1, hit by pitch, run), Jack Winters (one inning pitched, retired side in order) and Howard Heinrich (one inning pitched, two walks, zero earned runs).

Boyer, who received a selection to be on the team but couldn’t pitch because he started the day before against Fort Collins, instead got the opportunity to hit for the first time since high school.

“I haven’t had an at-bat in forever, probably not since high school,” he said. “It was fun going up there and swinging; I had a good time.”

Ahead in the count 3-1, it looked like Boyer would walk before working the count full and eventually flying out to center.

“He threw me a 3-2 slider,” Boyer said. “I was scared. I felt pretty good up there, though.”

Wyoming recorded 14 hits on the night, including eight from Cheyenne players.

“It was a real fun night,” Grizzlies head coach Aaron Holley said. “The camaraderie and getting to sit down with some of the coaches you’re competing with all year and now getting to be on the same side, just talking baseball and enjoying the game made it a lot of fun.”

Two professional scouts were on hand Tuesday evening, including one from the Chicago White Sox and another from the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

With the win, the Wyoming All-Stars claim bragging rights for the first time in the three-year history of the MCBL All-Star Game

“It was really fun,” Judge said. “I was just happy to be out here. It's kind of an honor to play with all the guys from all over the league.”