One team’s misery is another’s motivation.
While Cherry Creek’s stunning exit last week sent shockwaves through the Class 5A ranks, it sent an even greater message to teams still with hopes of hoisting a state championship trophy next weekend.
“I feel bad for those kids,” The Academy’s baseball coach Dave Zukin said. “But it helps me tremendously. It proves that you don’t have to be a No. 1 seed to win.”
The Wildcats (14-7), seeded No. 9 in the Class 2A regional-state tournament bracket and the 2004 state champions, have been on a roll lately. Winner of eight of its past nine games, The Academy, formerly Academy of Charter, will head west to Delta for a Region 1 game with defending state champion Las Animas.
“The confidence is there right now,” said Zukin, whose team endured some internal turmoil during a four-game losing streak midway through the season. “One of two things could have happened after that. One, we could have gotten better and grown as a team or we could have simply imploded.
“We’ve taken some baby steps, but we’ve come together at the right time.”
Las Animas (13-6) took it to the Wildcats, beating them 13-4 on March 18.
As if the region wasn’t tough enough, also making just a 30-mile drive west is top-seeded Paonia (23-0). The Eagles, the 2003 champions, have posted nine wins over 3A and 4A opponents.
“We are a good hitting team and good pitching team,” longtime Paonia coach Don Emmons said. “We’re just a solid ballclub.”
Up first for Paonia is Cotopaxi (11-5).
Region 2 in Pueblo will have No. 4 Rocky Ford (15-4) against Haxtun (11-9) and Wiggins (11-10), winner of four of its past five games, against No. 5 Custer County (17-3).
Last year, Wray made it to the title game as a No. 16 seed. This time around the Eagles (17-5) are seeded No. 3 and will open with Eads (9-6) in Brush. Game 2 will have Jefferson Academy (10-9) against Granada (11-1).
Northglenn is the Region 4 site, where Limon (17-0), seeded No. 2, will put its unbeaten record on the line against the southwestern corner’s Nucla (12-8). The winner will play Akron (16-6) or Idalia (11-7).
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or at jyunt@denverpost.com.
