Following is a look at the marquee games this week in baseball, girls soccer and boys lacrosse as the spring season is fully underway. (All rankings and records are current as of Monday.)
BASEBALL
4A No. 7 (2-0) vs. (1-0), Friday 6 p.m., All-City: In an important early-season Denver Prep League game, coach Ernesto Marquez and the defending conference champion Vikings take on senior first baseman Patrick McDuffie, senior pitcher Trystan Kimmel and the rising Spartans, who return the majority of their lineup from last season’s 14-6 squad.
(0-1) at Legend (0-0), Wednesday 4:15 p.m.: Two teams that didn’t make in the preseason power rankings are right up there with the 5A elite. Dakota Ridge is led by senior Carter Akerfelds and sophomore Elliot Pigati while Legend boasts depth throughout its lineup and on the mound.
GIRLS SOCCER
Warrior Invitational, Wednesday-Saturday. Littleton Public Schools Stadium: In a premier early-season tournament, ThunderRidge and meet in Wednesday’s opener at 3:30 p.m., followed by Monarch vs. No. 9 at 5:30 and host No. 6 Arapahoe vs. Littleton at 7:30. Play culminates with Saturday’s 7 p.m. championship match.
No. 3 (1-0) at No. 2 Columbine (2-0), Thursday 4 p.m.: In a rematch of last season’s Class 5A semifinal game won by Mountain Vista 4-1, this non-conference battle pits Mountain Vista senior midfielder Haley Schueppert and the Golden Eagles against a potent Columbine attack headlined by sophomore Tessa Barton and senior Amanda Porter.
BOYS LACROSSE
No. 4 (1-0) at No. 2 (1-0), Wednesday 6 p.m.: In the first of two Class 5A semifinal rematches this week, senior attack Asher Nolting and the Bruins attempt to hand coach Jim Soran and the defending champion Raiders their first loss of the season and avenge last season’s 7-3 playoff defeat.
No. 3 Arapahoe (0-0) at No. 1 Mountain Vista (1-0), Friday 4 p.m.: Arapahoe advanced to the title game thanks to a dramatic 9-8 win over Mountain Vista last spring, something the Golden Eagles aren’t likely to soon forget. It will be up to senior long stick middle Liam O’Connor and his fellow Warriors to contain a potent Mountain Vista attack highlighted by seniors Colin Munro and Evan Place.
