Creighton Prep Legion baseball had a season for the record books. After finishing with 32 wins and 4 loses and a state championship over rival Millard West in the spring season, many thought that the team had reached their plateau. The Junior Jays surpassed expectations yet again, going 59-5 in the summer, reaching the American Legion national finals in Shelby, North Carolina for the first time since 2012, where the team finished in sixth place.

The Five Points Bank Bluejays were a special breed in Shelby, as they were the only team where all the students were from the same school. Senior pitcher Josh Culliver credits the ‘Legion Babies’-a term used for players who have had a year off of high school, but are still young enough to play legion-for helping the team reach Shelby.

“Jason Allbery, John Sakowski and Craig Petrich gave us a needed boost both in the field and at the plate,” said Culliver.

Legion Baby is a term used for players who have graduated high school, but are still young enough to play legion baseball. Team chemistry played a major role in keeping the team together.

Junior pitcher Dylan Phillips said, “team chemistry was at an all time high, everybody loved to be around each other.”

The team enjoyed every second together in Shelby. Players danced in the dugout and told jokes while on the field. The Junior Jays showed everybody that having fun and winning can go hand-in-hand. The Junior Jays proved to be one of the best teams in the nation.