How does one outshine a rematch of last year’s Las Animas and Haxtun state semifinal game that was decided by one run in extra innings?
Limon vs. Wray is the only answer.
Ask the coaches, even the ones in the “other” semifinal, and the Class 2A Championship Series showdown at the Runyon Complex in Pueblo between the Badgers and Eagles has a little extra appeal.
That intrigue is not just born out of two quality teams facing off, but more so because of recent history woven on the diamond and gridiron.
Consider the elements:
Wray (19-5), which has never won a baseball state title, advanced to its first final last season only to lose in five innings to Las Animas. Wray was a 16th seed last year and the Eagles took their dramatic first step by upsetting and eliminating top-seeded Limon in the region tournament.
That 4-3 victory, won with a two-run homer, was a cornerstone in terms of confidence for a program steeped in losing records.
“If we lose that game, who’s to say where we’d be this year?” Wray coach John Cure said.
Limon (19-0), which has not won a state baseball title since it began fielding a team in 1994, has been adding to its storybook football dynasty in recent years at the expense of Wray.
The Badgers have won three straight 1A football titles and crushed the Eagles 42-2 in the 2004 title game, and won a much closer game in the 2005 state quarterfinals.
“People are really enjoying this Limon-Wray thing,” said Badgers coach Les Layton, who noted his senior-dominated squad is just not used to losing in big games.
Oh, and it gets better.
The Badgers would like to counter Eagles ace Dylan Hochevar with their No. 1, Tyson Liggett, on Friday, but he’s scheduled to run the 400 meters at 2:30 p.m. at the state track meet at Pueblo’s Dutch Clark Stadium. The baseball game starts at 3 p.m.
Layton and legendary track coach Warren Mitchell, who coached Layton in football, are still trying to work things out.
Leading the Badgers are Bo Randolph, Tyler Ververs, Adam Coonts and Steve Martin. Powering the Eagles are Michael Kerbs, Chris Rose and Nick Witte.
All this attention paid to Limon and Wray sure won’t please Las Animas (15-6). The Trojans are the defending champions and feeling a little dissed by their No. 8 seed as well as some things they’ve read in the papers.
The Trojans’ key has been their pitching depth, and coach Carl Lindauer has seven kids that can take the mound, including right-hander Jason Baylor and lefty Lane Brundage.
The resident studs for the Trojans are Matt Miller, Cole Miller (no relation) and Kyle Eck.
Las Animas, which already knocked off top-seeded Paonia, lost seven seniors from the 2005 squad that beat Wray 11-0 in a five-inning state final and Haxtun in the semifinals. The Trojans lost in the 2004 final to Academy of Charter.
The quiet team in the mix is 13th-seeded Haxtun (13-9). The Bulldogs have just 12 players, five of whom are freshmen.
“It’s easy to make lineups,” Bulldogs coach Alan Coffin said. “I don’t have a choice.”
Cameron Ham’s return from a stress fracture in his back has been key. Other core players include Grant Edwards, catcher John Heermann, utility ace Andy Wernsman and Garrett Groshans.
