When the Colorado High School Activities Association adopted Class 1A baseball last year with the idea there were too many teams playing 2A, it seemed at the time like a good idea. Forty teams to start with, and now 28. The cream of the crop is in Haxtun. The Fightin’ Bulldogs, seeded 13th in the 16-team Class 2A state tournament in 2006, made it all the way to the championship game before losing 16-5 to Limon. All-state catcher John Heermann returns to a senior- dominated lineup. Idalia pitcher Scott Cure has stuff good enough to dominate in any classification. The resurgence of Dove Creek (see: football and wrestling) will translate to the diamond. Coach Ken Soper’s Bulldogs have eight returning starters.
TOP TEAMS
1. Haxtun
2. Idalia
3. Dove Creek 5. Caliche
4. Granada
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Augustine Acuna, Manzanola, Jr., P-OF; Brock Benson, Hi-Plains, Sr., 2B; Dustin Bohlander, Granada, So., C; Kyle Broce, Cheraw, Jr., P; Ross Brunkhardt, Merino, Sr., INF; Scott Cure, Idalia, Sr., P; Darin Custer, Cheyenne Wells, Sr., P; Lucas Devlin, Idalia, Sr., P-OF; Jade Downey, McClave, Sr., P-INF; Keenan Gooden, Eads, Jr., P-OF; Garet Groshans, Haxtun, Sr., P-2B; Jacob Guynes, Dove Creek, Sr., P-SS; John Heermann, Haxtun, Sr., C-P; Kevin Lindholm, Eads, Sr, P; Daniel Morales, Granada, Jr., P; Blake Schlup, Springfield, Sr., P-1B; Matt Stiasny, Dove Creek, Sr., C-1B; Andrew Stieb, Caliche, Jr., INF.
