Elite Field Coming to Chris Colombo JV Baseball Tournament This Weekend
By Michael Minnich on May 08, 2026
Bridgeport varsity baseball coach Robert Shields calls it “the state championship for JV baseball”.
Fittingly, the Chris Colombo JV Tournament, held this weekend at BHS, Robert C. Byrd, Liberty and The Bridge, is named for a coach that played a key role in Bridgeport’s long run of titles.
The late Chris Colombo guided the Indians’ JV program and was an assistant for the varsity team for 13 years, part of a career of over 35 seasons that also included coaching stints at Notre Dame, Liberty and Shinnston Middle.
“I think that’s where this tournament starts,” Bridgeport JV coach Robbie Buffington said. “The kids, first and foremost, identify that this tournament is in honor of coach Colombo and what he’s meant, not only to Bridgeport baseball, but to Harrison County baseball over the years. They see that value.”
Colombo was also a teacher for 38 years.
Colombo, who passed in the fall of 2022, was named the 2017 recipient of the James Sexton Award, given to the top assistant coach in the state by his peers.
This tournament will also bring an end to the JV season.
“It’s their tournament, it’s their kind of finale and it rewards them for their hard work and dedication to their development,” Buffington said. “I think the other teams involved look at it in a very similar manner.”
Play on Friday will set up the bracket for Saturday.
Bridgeport enters with a 16-2 record and riding a 10-game winning streak, having not lost since April 11.
“We have had a good season,” Buffington said. “I think the key to it is that the kids buy into what we consider Bridgeport baseball and playing the game the right way. They do a lot of work on their own while the varsity games are taking place.
“Easton McDougal has been a key to our success, being our leadoff guy, and then we’ve got a pretty nice group of kids in the middle of the order with Max Conley and Zeke Swiger. Cobey Johnson has really picked up the bat lately and started swinging well. Logan Shriver has been steady for us all year.
“And then you get to the pitching, which has been really strong for us. We’ve got so many arms, sometimes it’s hard to get them all in there. Dom Julian’s just been consistent for us. Matt Hardy not only catches just about every day, but also pitches really well. Brody Peifley is starting to get into form after dealing with some shoulder tightness. We’ll need all of those guys this weekend.”
Bridgeport’s pod includes BHS, Frankfort and Jefferson, three schools that are contenders to win state championships on the varsity level this year in their three respective classes.
“There’s just something different when you play with your school name on your jersey and you’re playing against some of the best programs in the state,” Buffington said. “When you see Jefferson and Frankfort on there, who we haven’t played this year…to be one of the best JV programs, you’ve got to beat other great JV programs, which Frankfort and Jefferson fall under.”
The full tournament schedule is below:
FRIDAY
At Bridgeport High
Bridgeport vs. Frankfort, 3 p.m.
Bridgeport vs. Jefferson, 5 p.m.
Frankfort vs. Jefferson, 7 p.m.
At Robert C. Byrd High
Robert C. Byrd vs. University, 3 p.m.
Robert C. Byrd vs. Oak Glen, 5 p.m.
University vs. Oak Glen, 7 p.m.
At Liberty Middle
Fairmont Senior vs. Wheeling Central, 4 p.m.
Parkersburg South vs. Wheeling Central, 6 p.m.
Fairmont Senior vs. Parkersburg South, 8 p.m.
At The Bridge
Cabell Midland vs. Wheeling Park, 3 p.m.
Cabell Midland vs. Morgantown, 5 p.m.
Wheeling Park vs. Morgantown, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
At Bridgeport High
No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed, 10 a.m.
No. 1 seed vs. No. 8/No. 9 winner, 12 p.m.
No. 4 seed vs. No. 5/No. 12 winner, 2 p.m.
No. 1/No. 8/No. 9 winner vs. No. 4/No. 5/No.12 winner, 4 p.m.
Championship game, 6:30 p.m.
At Robert C. Byrd High
No. 6 seed vs. No. 11 seed, 8 a.m.
No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 seed, 10 a.m.
No. 3 seed vs. No. 6/No. 11 winner, 12 p.m.
No. 2/No. 7/No. 10 winner vs. No. 3/No. 6/No. 11 winner, 3 p.m.
At Liberty Middle
No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed, 9:30 a.m.
No. 2 seed vs. No. 7/No. 10 winner, 11:30 a.m.
Editor's Note: Photos shows Chis Colombo with former player J.T. Harris (photo by Ben Queen Photography); far right is shown with ; flanked by Pete Iquinto and Robert Shields after being inducted into the Hall of Fame; and with Ryan Goff, Iquinto and Shields. Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Robert Shields.
