Baseball, even on the schoolboy level, is about so many names, places, numbers, history, notes and facts.
Heading into Friday and Saturday’s final games, here are a few:
Hot? Rocky Mountain is a Class 5A-best 3-0 in double-elimination. The Lobos, with Brandon Brooks, Andy Burns, Marco Gonzales, Mike Marquez and Bryan Peters heading a younger group, played so well over three games last weekend – and won by a combined 31-10 – that coach Scott Bullock said, “I kind of wished we could have kept on going Sunday and Monday.” …
Air Academy is the first Colorado Springs-area team in 5A double elimination since it was instituted in 2003. Matt Fenlason, Ryan Salt and the rest of the Kadets Kids also come from the most recent southern big-school program to win a big-school title. Air Academy won in 1989, the final year of three classes. …
Columbine, attempting to become the first repeat big-school champion since Cherry Creek won five in a row from 1995-99, is savvy in most areas with the likes of Scott Anundsen, Kyler Brady, Jeff Cicchinelli, Curtis Cunningham, C.J. Gillman and Dom Montoya. It’s not coincidence their best ballplayers excel in other sports. …
Wheat Ridge’s top half of the order recently was 1-for-12, but don’t be fooled. The 5A Farmers can pick it up behind Everett Altman, Adam Doyle, Beau Stevens, Kenny Swanson and Matt Wright. They’re skilled and in position for their first – and what would be their only other in school annals – pennant since 1992. …
Thomas Jefferson is president of 4A, at least for now. With a guaranteed spot in the title game, Kian Jost, Matt and Mike Mankoff, Brett Nathan and Dylan Smith are bidding for the Spartans’ first title since 1967. …
Cherokee Trail, a relative newbie trying to join the state championship club as a school, was 4A runner-up a year ago with many of the players set to suit up Friday. Tim Moore and Bradshaw Perry are big in a veteran lineup. …
Greeley West, winner of 10 of its past 12 games in 4A, has been outscored by a combined 19-16 in three Championship Series rounds. Andrew Downing, Travis Belfiore, and Blake and Rex Morgan hope to help the Spartans get untracked. …
Niwot, fresh from a rousing 11-6 victory over Ralston Valley, has continued its 4A tradition despite the unannounced loss of longtime coach Bob Bote before the season. Behind Cougars such as Alex Hart and Ben Packard, a possibility for a sixth title since 1998 remains. …
Faith Christian owns the best record in Colorado (23-1), so sitting atop 3A is nothing new. Dave Fox and Chris Tyckson have the Eagles on an eight-game winning streak. …
Eaton is here as always it seems, a 3A power in the hunt for its fifth title this decade. Kyle Ottoson and Drew Smith hope to get the Reds to Saturday’s round(s), which will be the sixth anniversary of their 15-inning victory in the final against Lamar, the longest championship game in state annals. …
Erie, which lost to Eaton in the 3A Patriot League by a run, is bidding for its first title in 37 years. Ryan Carlson and Mike Rahrich have the Tigers on line …
Lamar, five-time champion in the ’90s, may have its best group since the 3A Savages’ names included players named Elarton, Hartshorn and Thompson. All signed professionally. …
Paonia, a regular in the 2A chase (four titles since 1996), has C.J. Cannell and Rick Wilson among its leaders in a final four that includes Custer County (the 2001 titlist) and two others seeking their first pennants, Jefferson Academy and Wray (Dylan Hochevar). …
Dove Creek (coach Ken Soper has more than 80 combined years in baseball and football) is included in the new 1A, and it should be fresh – of other programs (Caliche, Community Christian, Eads, Granada, Haxtun, Idalia and Stratton) that will embark on quarterfinals Friday, only Granada (1991 and 1995) has won a baseball championship.
