Springtime at Kent Denver means only one thing athletically: lacrosse.
As much as Sun Devils baseball coach Bill Boatman hates to admit it, it’s the truth. The numbers don’t lie. The boys lacrosse program usually attracts some 90-plus kids.
“I got 23 this year,” Boatman said.
Boatman has made the best of his limited numbers and guided Kent Denver to the Class 3A double-elimination tournament in Greeley — and into the final eight teams for the first time since 1997.
“I finally got some baseball kids,” said Boatman, who has endured some lean seasons this decade. “They are hard to find, and I understand the allure and popularity of lacrosse. It’s a great game.”
Kent Denver (14-7) will play Valley (16-5) today at 10 a.m. at Butch Butler Field. The Vikings, a 17-7 victor over Aspen in a district final, defeated Kent 7-5 in a regular-season game.
In Kent’s district semifinal game against Peyton in Granby, junior pitcher Gus Lang struck out 16 in a 2-1 win. Lang and Kyle Matasoff are sure to log the innings the next two days.
At the plate, catcher Paul Donahue leads Kent in just about every statistical category and will be a tough out.
“We’ve played the big guys of 3A and seen what it takes to be successful,” Boatman said. “We kind of know now what it takes to play at that level.”
The second game at Butch Butler matches last year’s runners-up, the Lamar Savages, vs. Holy Family at 12:30 p.m.
Don’t let the Savages’ 15-6 record fool you. Of their six losses, two came against Manitou Springs (still alive in the top half of the Class 3A bracket) by a total of three runs and to Class 4A powerhouse Pueblo South (also still alive) by a 10-5 count.
“If I wanted to go 19-0, I could, but I don’t worry too much about our nonleague schedule. It’s just how I operate,” outspoken Lamar coach Dave Fassiotto said. “Our goal is to win the league and then go from there.”
In the top half of the bracket at the University of Northern Colorado’s Jackson Field, 3A stalwart Eaton (20-0) will play Western Slope League champion Gunnison (16-5) in the opener and the aforementioned Mustangs of Manitou Springs (16-3) will open against Faith Christian (17-4).
The winners of all the opening-round games will play their second games at 3 p.m.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
