FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

CARLTON – Colton Godbout expected to start his senior year leading Carlton through the Polar League football schedule.
“It's a big disappointment,” says Carlton Senior Colton Godbout, “not having a football team.”

A lack of players causing the Bulldogs to cancel their season.

“Me and a few of my friends would have been captains,” says Godbout, “It's always a big bummer to lose your senior season.”

Instead of giving up, Colton and company transferred their focus solely to baseball season.

“I was working all through fall and all through winter,” says Godbout, “going to camps and stuff trying to get ready for baseball.”

Godbout entering his third season pitching for Carlton.

“We kinda came into this year thinking he's the guy,” says Carlton head baseball coach Ryan Schmidt, “He's our number one. He's gonna win us some big games.”

It's also Colton's 2nd year as the Bulldogs captain.

“I have a little more responsibility than anyone else,” says Godbout, “My guys kind of follow behind me.”

The team's trust in Colton helping Godbout throw the 15th perfect game in the history of Minnesota high school baseball.

“Once it got to the 6th then it kind of started setting in,” says Godbout, “that I had a little bit more pressure on me than usual.”

“I called it. It was mostly fast and some cuves,” says Carlton junior catcher Jacob Eggert, “He was throwing some gas. I don't even know how to explain it.”

Although, for baseball players as superstitious as Colton,

“I go behind the mound,” says Godbout, “fix my pants and cross myself up before every inning.”

His bid was almost lost early.

“Bout the 3rd inning somebody brought up the fact, hey Colton's got a no–no right now,” says Schmidt, “and they heard from coach on that one.”

The mention not fazing Godbout, nor his teammates.

“I just had confidence that Colton would get the job done, the guys behind him would get the job done too,” says Eggert, “I had faith.”

Reaching the final frame with goose eggs in every column.

“First batter I went down 2–0, my stuff was working,” says Godbout, “I was pretty confident I was going to come back. I got a pair of ground ball outs and the last batter ended up being a strike out.”

Perfection! Coming against the perennial favorites of the Polar League Moose Lake/Willow River!

“Team we have not beaten since I've been playing that I can ever remember,” says Godbout, “It was definitely a big game to win.”

Leaving Colton and Carlton with hope and the promise of a long baseball season ending at state.

“I think,” says Godbout, “we definitely, definitely have a chance.”