Colorado Mesa University baseball’s number 17, Ryan Teixeira, passed away Saturday night after a six-month battle with leukemia.

“Tonight our fearless warrior won his victory…at 7:pm Ryan went home to be with Jesus… It was very peaceful for Ryan…we know he’s running around heaven shaking hands telling everyone he’s Ryan…our hearts are broken…but God still reigns and He is still on His throne…He still loves us and we still trust…thank you beyond words for standing with us through this … our gratitude is eternal,” Teixeira’s grandmother, Cee Teixeira, posted on his CaringBridge page Saturday night.

The 20-year-old California native joined the Maverick baseball team last spring and became a rallying point for the CMU and Grand Junction community after his fall diagnosis.

Teixeira’s warm personality and positive outlook were felt in the locker room and on the practice field every day.

“He’s the best dude I know and I’m sure if you really talk to any of his close friends they’d agree with me. It’s impossible not to like Ryan,” Garrett Ball, Teixeira’s best friend and teammate, told the Criterion in October.

Teixeira stepped off the field in September, but his number, painted in the sand this season, will be on the field for today’s final game of the series against Colorado Christian.

Opening pitch is set to be thrown at noon where he will be honored by his team.