Four area 2016 graduates took part in the Colorado Dugout Club’s Senior All-State Games last Monday at Double Angel Field in Parker, Colorado.
Spencer Gatlin and Beau Hemphill from Dove Creek, Josh McCoy of Dolores and Andrew Laymon from Montezuma-Cortez all competed in the games, which featured 16 teams of seniors selected from their respective leagues from across the state.
Jordan Ernst, Colin Hobbs and Kyle Schultz of Dove Creek and Ian Roberson of M-CHS were also selected to the All-State Games, but were either unable or elected not to attend.
The teams – selected and matched up based on class size and location – played in showcase games with college scouts in attendance.
“We have some college coaches and some kids might get a look from somebody that is still out recruiting,” said Colorado Dugout Club business director Mike Letofsky. “And every year there are about a dozen to a couple dozen kids who get signed out of this event.”
Gatlin and Hemphill were selected to play in the 1A/2A North/South versus 1A/2A East/West game, which their team won, 15-5.
McCoy was selected to play in the same 1A/2A game, but was matched up against Gatlin and Hemphill’s squad.
McCoy started the game on the mound, but he also saw time at shortstop, third, center field and right field. From the dish, McCoy reached base twice after being hit by pitches.
“It was more exciting than anything,” he explained after being selected. “I was just excited to get to play baseball one last time before it will all go away.”
Representing M-CHS, Laymon played first base and also pitched for the Western Slope Leagues team on Monday.
Although his team fell 9-7, Laymon went 1-for-1 with a triple and a sacrifice fly.
“I thought the experience would be fun, so I went and played,” he said. “And hopefully there were some scouts there, too.”
