By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Baseball in downtown West Jordan had taken a hiatus, but the Jaguars are helping it make a comeback on the field with shovels and with their gloves.

West Jordan Pony League merged with WJCH Baseball in 2019, and baseball games at Veterans Memorial Park disappeared. WJCH plays most of its games at Ron Wood Park and did not need the extra fields on the eastside of West Jordan. This season they are back, and the Jaguars are helping get the games going.

“We have collaborated with Smith and Edwards to get out and help,” Jaguars head baseball coach Josh Wright said. “The little league is using these fields, and we need to get out and make them safe and usable.”

WJCH baseball is expanding and will be using Veterans Memorial Park this season.

“Ron Wood Park is out by Copper Hills, and we want community members to remember we are part of the community too,” Wright said. “The grass [at Veterans Memorial] is overgrown, and there is trash around so we will get out and weed-wack and clean things up.”

A service project held March 26, organized by West Jordan senior Logan Jensen and his father, Mike, helped cut down weeds and clean up the fields.

“There are two high schools in this city and this project will help kids stay and play here,” Wright said.

The Jaguars started their 2022 campaign with four wins and three losses. They played four games at the Crimson Cliffs tournament in St. George March 18–19, winning three of the four.

“We have had some ups and downs, but as of late we are coming together,” Wright said. “We are an older team and have some experience. I think we are still trying to figure some things out. I am excited for the long haul, and I think we are going to have a really great season.”

The Jaguars home field was plagued with a grass issue last season. After leveling the playing field, the new grass never took hold, and they were forced to play the entire season on the road.

“We won the region and played into the second round of the playoffs. We did it all while playing 26 road games. We got on a bus every time to go play a game.”

West Jordan finished 18-8 last season, first place in Region 2. This year they have moved into Region 3 and could be contenders for a region title.

The team is returning eight starters including the reigning Region 2 MVP Logan Jensen.

“I could go on and on about the players on this team,” Wright said. “We have experience and even have a couple of younger players that are going to be pushing for some varsity time as we go along in the season.”

Jensen hit .517 last season in 26 games. He led the team with 45 hits including three home runs. Senior DeAngelo Pavone is an impactful utility player for the Jaguars.

“He (Pavone) is one of the best players I have seen in a long time,” Wright said. “We have so many players that will be impactful this season. The work the kids have put in is great. I think they have been putting the school on the map.”

West Jordan is scheduled to host its first region contest April 5 against Riverton. It will close out the season against Copper Hills in May.