The following is a look at marquee games this week in baseball, girls soccer and boys lacrosse as the spring season enters its second full week of action. (All rankings and records are current as of Monday.)
BASEBALL
No. 9 Regis Jesuit (0-0) at Ralston Valley (1-1), Wednesday 4 p.m.: It’s up to the likes of senior third baseman Austin Chouinard to catalyze a Raiders offense that graduated a ton of firepower from 2016. Coach Steve Falconi and the Mustangs are coming off a 12-1 drubbing of No. 6 Mullen on Saturday.
No. 1 (2-1) at No. 2 Heritage (2-0), Thursday 4 p.m.: The Bruins lost in extra innings to on Friday and play at on Tuesday, so coach Marc Johnson’s squad is sure to be ready for this non-conference battle with the Eagles, who have one of the best pitcher/position players in the state in junior right-hander/first baseman Riley Egloff.
GIRLS SOCCER
No. 5 Arapahoe (3-1) at No. 1 Columbine (3-1), Tuesday 3:30 p.m.: Nine different players have scored in four games so far for the Warriors, who need to maintain offensive balance as well as stout defense against coach Brian Todd and the Rebels, who are led by sophomore striker Tessa Barton and senior midfielder Amanda Porter.
No. 7 (1-0) at (1-0), Thursday 6:30 p.m.: In an early yet important Front Range League battle — not to mention a district rivalry game — the Lobos already proved they’re among the state’s elite with their season-opening victory over No. 10 Ralston Valley, while Fort Collins has outstanding players such as junior midfielders Bailey Nemechek and Riley Dietrich.
BOYS LACROSSE
Lakewood (2-0) at No. 6 Columbine (2-0), Wednesday 5:30 p.m., Trailblazer Stadium: Coach Matthew Plitnick and the Rebels host coach Eric Seelbach and the Tigers in a Jeffco League battle while sophomore midfielders Jacob Brunner and Kegan Hufford are key to providing an offensive spark for Lakewood.
No. 3 Arapahoe (1-0) at No. 4 Cherry Creek (2-1), Wednesday 7 p.m.: The Warriors are fresh off a thrilling 15-14 victory over No. 1 Mountain Vista last week but can’t pause to celebrate, as senior captain Blake Widlund and Arapahoe face another stiff road test against in senior Asher Nolting and the Bruins.
