Success on the baseball diamond is all the more rewarding when playing the game built on failure—and four Glenwood Springs seniors are savoring every moment.

Glenwood Springs Demons senior core of Joshua Doll, Jamison Godfread, Jackson Irving, and Max Mazur are all looking forward to continuing their baseball careers after tossing their graduation hats in late May. 

“My favorite aspect of the game is the bond you make with teammates,” Glenwood senior pitcher and third baseman Max Mazur said. “I’m very grateful, not only for being able to play with the same people since I was 8-years-old, but for all of my teammates I’ve gotten to know over the last four years.”

The longtime teammates will soon head in different directions across the country. Irving, a Toronto native, and Doll will stay together at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana. Godfread is headed to Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, while Mazur will pitch for Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota — just shy of the Canadian border.

“I am thrilled to continue the game of baseball,” Glenwood’s starting catcher Joshua Doll said. “It has been a part of my life since the day that I could even pick up a ball. The end of my high school season is only the beginning of a new chapter, and I can’t wait to see what that future holds. I think trying to soak in every moment of my senior year of baseball rides side by side with the focus of being successful.”

After playing various positions throughout their childhoods, each senior now plans to specialize. Mazur and Godfread will focus on pitching, while Irving and Doll will continue to hone their skills in the field. Doll said he’s especially excited to improve his game calling, while Irving looks to step up as an infielder.

“I’m going to be pitching in college,” Mazur said. “I am very excited to see how I face up against the next level of competition. I can’t wait to get better and see where I’m at in two years.”

Finding success on the baseball diamond doesn’t commonly show up on the agenda. The best players in the world succeed just three out of 10 times — so when the players do find success, it means that much more. Baseball players are often made up of unique personalities and intense workers, which helps weed out the players who aren’t as serious about the sport. 

“Each of these boys is not only a good baseball player, but also well-rounded individuals who take care of their business in the classroom and contribute positively to their community,” Demons head coach Rob Norville said. “That is something that I try to instill in my players – they are students first, and the lessons they learn through the game of baseball can be applied to many other aspects of life.” 

Seeing four players from the same small mountain town team reach the collegiate level is rare. It speaks not only to their individual talents, but to their commitment and passion for the game.

“My favorite part about the game of baseball is the technicality of it. Baseball is a game that not many people tend to understand, and to be able to have such a unique input on how the game works is astonishing,” Glenwood senior catcher Joshua Doll said. “Every minute aspect of baseball that people often overlook is what draws this game so close to me. An elevated level of understanding for the game I love.”

Although graduation season and the high school seniors’ next life steps are just around the corner, they are still laser focused on finishing the season on a strong note. 

“I have found that not taking any moment for granted has been super important for me,” Mazur said. “Not only to make memories but I find that being supportive and upbeat whenever my teammates find success is essential to building team chemistry. It enhances our game and makes us all better.”

Doll continued Mazur’s sentiment, while adding that being in the trenches alongside teammates is a comforting feeling. 

“I have a very deep passion about this game,” he said. “Putting in every ounce of effort I can to try and give my team a shot at succeeding is how I collect the best moments out of the season. I enjoy the grind and the struggle because I know that my team and I benefit from times when things look like they are going south. There is nothing that beats the feeling of your entire team going at it with as much energy and effort as they can for a full seven innings.”

The Demons, led by their senior core, have been playing strong all season. They currently sit at 10-5, 3-2 in the 4A Western Slope League which places them second in the rankings. After dropping three of five games earlier in April, Glenwood has bounced back with a three-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 42-10.

The Demons will go on their last road trips of the season over the next week and a half. They face the Montrose Red-Tailed Hawks on Saturday in Montrose before facing league opponents in five of their last six regular season games. The seniors will be honored on senior night during their last home game against the Eagle Valley Devils on Saturday, May 10.