Eaton has a baseball team. You might have heard of it. Seven state championships since 1994 will do that. But you might recall the Reds getting shut out in the 2006 state final by rival Roosevelt. And so the new season goes: The Reds are the ever-present favorites, but their dynasty will have a horde of great squads to repel. Again.
Teams such as Roosevelt, Brush, University, Valley and Platte Valley will make things rough up north. In the always-competitive Metropolitan League, the strong senior class at Faith Christian gives the Eagles the early nod (see also: football, basketball). Denver Christian looks like a strong No. 2 in the league, but defending league champion Holy Family could have a lot to say if the Tigers get their pitching in order. Bishop Machebeuf and Denver Lutheran won’t be far behind. The Western Slope is equally congested. Olathe lost a lot of talent, but gets enough back to get the early nod over Cedaredge, Roaring Fork, Hotchkiss, Basalt. Lamar should head up the southern contingent.
TOP TEAMS
1. Eaton
2. Faith Christian
3. Roosevelt
4. Brush
5. Lamar
6. La Junta
7. Denver Christian
8. Holy Family
9. Olathe
10. Colorado Springs Christian
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dustin Bass, Brush, Sr., 3B-2B; Stephen Buzbee, Aspen, Sr., P; Seve Carbajal, Faith Christian, Jr., C; Bryan Coday, Holy Family, Sr., C; Jonathan Crews, Cedaredge, Sr., C-INF; David Fox, Faith Christian, Sr., OF; Jaime Goza, Olathe, Sr., 2B; Matt Hernandez, Roosevelt, Jr., 3B; Jerry Hildreth, Roosevelt, Sr., SS; Tucker Hinch, Basalt, Sr., C; Jacob Jiron, Monte Vista, Sr., INF; Shawn McRobbie, Hotchkiss, Sr., P-SS; Bowie Murphy, Cedaredge, Sr., P-OF; Mitch Nathan, Denver Lutheran, Sr., C-1B;Kyle Ottoson, Eaton, Jr., P-1B; Brady Quarry, Manitou Springs, Sr., P-C; Kyle Raaflaub, Roaring Fork, Sr., P; Chad Rayl, Yuma, Sr., SS; Stephen Romero, La Junta, Sr., P-1B; Jordan Romine, Lamar, Sr., P; Joe Simpson, Clear Creek, Sr., P; Drew Smith, Eaton, Sr., P-3B; Allen Thomas, Peyton, Jr., P-1B; Jason Veyna, Lamar, Sr., SS
