The Pueblo South Colts do not want to be No. 46.
The second-seeded Colts (22-2) are still alive in the Class 4A championship series but find themselves somewhere between a rock-solid opponent and place in baseball history.
“We’re overwhelmingly excited,” Colts coach J.R. Crowell said as his team prepares to take on top-seeded Niwot (24-0) on Friday at noon at Lakewood’s All-Star Park.
Under the guidance of longtime coach Bob Bote, the defending champion Cougars have won 45 consecutive games to tie a state record set by the 1998-99 Eaton Reds.
Niwot’s winning streak stretches to March 19, 2004, when the Cougars threw their No. 4 pitcher during an out-of-state tournament. Niwot last lost to an in-state opponent on May 12, 2003, when eventual champion Golden dumped the Cougars out of the state tournament.
No. 4 Ralston Valley (18-4) will face No. 6 Longmont (18-6) on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at All-Star Park in the other semifinal. Niwot is the only team yet to lose in the double-elimination tournament and will play in the state final even if it loses to Pueblo South.
If Niwot wins Friday, the first of a possible two state championship matches will be played Saturday at 10 a.m. at All-City Field. If necessary, the second final game will be played at 2 p.m.
The Colts get the dubious honor of trying to solve the Cougars first. Crowell said his team will not change anything to try to outsmart Niwot and must rely on the things that have made them successful.
Catcher Tony Pechek, a Wichita State signee, has continued to lead the Colts, with good help from pitchers Mario Mattivi and Ricky Armijo, shortstop Steve DiIorio, first baseman Jeff Giordana and center fielder Brad Farbo.
The Colts admittedly cracked last week against Longmont, giving up some walks and being punished by a hot-hitting Trojans team. The Colts took care of Broomfield on Saturday to set up a showdown with the mighty Cougars.
“We’re not going to be intimidated by no one,” Crowell said.
Niwot has the deepest pitching staff on standby, anchored by Stanford-bound Sean Ratliff, who struck out 14 Ralston Valley batters last Friday and limited the Mustangs to just one hit in an 8-2 victory.
The Cougars’ bats have yet to be stifled in the tournament, even against Ralston Valley ace Kevin Chritz. Right fielder and No. 4 hitter Clint Stapp has been crushing the ball and No. 8 hitter Mike Harpe hit homers Saturday against Longmont and Friday against the Mustangs.
Longmont is regrouping after a 13-2 rout dished out by Niwot. Trojans coach Tom Fobes said his team would relish a third crack at the Cougars but must find a way to shut down Ralston Valley first.
The Trojans, behind Jason Fobes, Brad Johnson and recently hot sophomore John Lewis, have been advertised this season as a team short on starpower and muscle but long on blue-collar effort. That changed a bit last Friday as the Trojans banged out 26 hits in two victories.
Ralston Valley, led by standout catcher Levi Tapia, also is hoping to get another crack at Niwot. Mustangs coach Shane Freehling, who said his team “is really dialed in,” also thinks they are vulnerable if you could somehow find a way to get Ratliff off the mound.
That might be wishful thinking.
However, it is that time of year.
“It’s still anybody’s game,” Crowell said. “Somebody could get hot.”
