District 1

Favorite: Sargent

Contenders: Center, Del Norte, Sanford



Outlook: With five teams in this league, it will be a tight race for the two playoff spots. On paper Sargent has the best team, losing just one starter, and will have the one-two pitching combo of T.J. Vanbibber and Nick Miner. Center comes into this season with seven starters back, but most of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores and they will look for leadership their three seniors; Stefan Welsh, Gilbert Garcia and Juan Carlos-Espinoza. Del Norte will be strong once again and with eight players back from last year, led by Adam Jennings and David Richardson, the Tigers should be in the hunt for the playoffs. Behind the leadership of the team's only senior's; Gabe Lucero, Richard Hughes and Keith Caldon, Sanford will be a contender for the league title.



Key Players: Ubaldo Aguilara, Sargent, Jr.; Keith Caldon, Sanford, Sr.; Tony Davis, Sargent, Jr.; Adam Fresquez, Del Norte, Sr.; Aaron Fresquez, Del Norte, Sr.; Gilbert Garcia, Center, Sr.; Richard Hughes, Sanford, Sr.; Dave Jennings, Del Norte, Sr.; Ben Kelloff, Sargent, Jr.; Gabe Lucero, Sanford, Sr.; Carlos Lopez, Center, Jr.; Marco Maldonado, Center, Jr.; D.J. Medina, Sanford, Jr.; Nick Miner, Sargent, Sr.; David Richardson, Del Norte, Sr.; Luis Salazar, Center, Sr.; T.J. Vanbibber, Sargent, Sr.; Adam Welsh, Center, Jr.; Stefan Welsh, Center, Sr.

District 2

Favorite: Paonia

Contenders: Dolores, Rangely

Outlook: No. 2 Paonia is eager to make up for an early exit in last year’s playoffs. The Eagles will be strong again, especially on offense. They return six starters, which includes all-state players Rick Wilson, C.J. Cannell and Tanner Ridgway. Rangely went 9-6 last season and should be much improved, as it returns seven starters led by Ryan Hewitt and Evan Halcomb. Dolores should put together a better season, led by the pitching of Jeff Roberson and Andrew Hill. The Bears have six players returning.

Key players: Kalen Brady, Rangely, Sr.; Brett Brunner, Dolores, So.; C.J. Cannell, Paonia, Sr.; Evan Halcomb, Rangely, Sr.; Ryan Hewitt, Rangely, Sr.; Kevin Johnson, Paonia, Sr.; Taylor Johnson, Paonia, Sr.; Andrew Hill, Dolores, So.; Trace Offett, Dolores, So.; Tanner Ridgway, Paonia, Sr.; Jeff Robinson, Dolores, Sr.; Rick Wilson, Paonia, Sr.

District 3

Favorite: Evangelical Christian

Contenders: Calhan, Cripple Creek, Kiowa

Outlook: Evangelical Christian missed the playoffs last season for the first time in two years, but with talent such as Scott Uzell and Kevin Christian the Eagles should be back in the postseason. Kiowa will not make things easy for ECA, though. The Indians are led by seniors Tommy Southern and Brian Landry. Cripple Creek should be much improved, as it has six players returning. The Pioneers will be led by seniors Steven Dicamillo and Trent Staley but also will have seven freshmen on the roster. Calhan has the attention of several coaches in this district, with a solid pitching staff led by Ben Doran and Todd Cofer.

Key players: Dan Carneal, Miami-Yoder, Sr.; Kevin Christian, Evangelical Christian, Jr.; Todd Cofer, Calhan, Sr.; Aaron Crews, Evangelical Christian, Jr.; Steven Dicamillo, Cripple Creek, Sr.; Ben Doran, Calhan, Jr.; Evan Durham, Miami-Yoder, Sr.; Chase Hern, Cripple Creek, Jr.; Brian Landry, Kiowa, Sr.; Aaron Loptien, Lutheran-Parker, So.; Alex Luna, Miami-Yoder, Jr.; Mike Kritz, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; Brady Mark, Lutheran-Parker, Jr.; Matt Morris, Kiowa, Jr.; Cory Parkinson, Lutheran-Parker, Jr.; Zach Ricketts, Calhan, Sr.; Tom Simpson, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; Trent Staley, Cripple Creek, Sr.; Tommy Southern, Kiowa, Sr.; Steve Trivelli, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; Scott Uzell, Evangelical Christian, Sr.

District 4

Favorite: Jefferson Academy

Contenders: Alexander Dawson, Front Range Christian, Maranatha Christian

Outlook: Four top teams figure to battle for two playoff spots. Jefferson Academy will be loaded, as the majority of the team returns. The Jaguars also will have three left-handed pitchers in their lineup, led by basketball standout Xavier Lewis. All-state honorable mention shortstop Chris Pickett is back and should help Maranatha Christian make a push for the playoffs. Front Range Christian will rely on the arm of all-state honorable mention pitcher Greg Suryn. With seven starters returning, a playoff spot isn’t out of reach for the Falcons. All-state honorable mention Michael Beck is one of 12 returning seniors for Alexander Dawson. After finishing fourth for three consecutive seasons, this could be the year for the Mustangs.

Key players: Michael Beck, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Will Glenn, Maranatha Christian, Sr.; Aaron Hammer, Maranatha Christian, So.; Andrew Golden, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Brett Johnson, Front Range Christian, Sr.; Jason Jordan, Heritage Christian, Jr.; Robbie Kreps, Alexander Dawson, Sr.; Xavier Lewis, Jefferson Academy, Jr.; John McGinley, Heritage Christian, So.; Chris Pickett, Maranatha Christian, Sr.; Greg Suryn, Front Range Christian, Sr.; Blaine Swanson, Jefferson Academy, Sr.; Kyle Whitham, Heritage Christian, Sr.; Joey Younkerman, Jefferson Academy, Jr.

District 5

Favorite: Custer County

Contenders: Cotopaxi, Fowler

Outlook: No. 5 Custer County and No. 6 Cotopaxi will battle for the district title. Led by the hitting of Clay Hershberger and the pitching of Derek Pearl, Custer County will be looking to make the playoffs for a 22nd consecutive season. Cotopaxi will be extremely tough, as it returns eight starters, led by Tyler Higginbottom. A second trip to the playoffs in as many seasons is within reach for the Pirates. Fowler, with Brian McCuistion and Brad Zemmer returning, will be very competitive and could give the top teams trouble. South Park will be back after not fielding a team last year.

Key players: Alex Bode, Cotopaxi, Sr.; Calvin Carlton, Custer County, Sr.; Brandon DeLong, Fowler, Sr.; A.J. Donovan, Cotopaxi, Jr.; Calvin Gauirre, John Mall, Sr.; Jonathan Gauirre, John Mall, Jr.; Sam Gerk, Cotopaxi, Jr.; Clay Hershberger, Custer County, Sr.; Tyler Higginbottom, Cotopaxi, Sr.; Brian McCuistion, Fowler, Sr.; Derek Pearl, Custer County, Sr.; Justin Smith, Custer County, Sr.; Michael Vigil, John Mall, Jr.; Brad Zemmer, Fowler, So.

District 6

Favorite: Las Animas

Contenders: Holly, Rocky Ford

Outlook: Last season was supposed to be a rebuilding one for No. 2 Las Animas, but instead the Trojans advanced to the state semifinals. The Trojans, led by Cole Miller and Jason Baylor, have enough talent to make a run at the state title. No. 8 Rocky Ford will be hungry to make up for being upset in the playoffs last year. The Meloneers return six players, led by all-stater Brock Freidenberger, who led the team in batting average and RBI. Holly isn’t too far behind, led by Nolan Thompson. The Wildcats will look to get back to the playoffs after missing the postseason last year.

Key players: Ryan Bewely, Las Animas, Sr.; Jason Baylor, Las Animas, Sr.; Brock Freidenberger, Rocky Ford, Sr.; Kelly Harpshorn, Holly, Sr.; Steven Herrera, Rocky Ford, Jr.; Nathan Knapp, Rocky Ford, Jr.; Cole Miller, Las Animas, Jr.; Steven Murray, Las Animas, Sr.; Nolan Thompson, Holly, Jr.; John Trevizo, Holly, Sr.; Martin Valdez, Rocky Ford, Jr.; Max Vargas, Holly, So.

District 7

Favorite: Wray

Contenders: Akron, Holyoke, Wiggins, Burlington

Outlook: This easily is the toughest district. At least four teams that have enough talent to win the state title but only two will qualify for the playoffs. Top-ranked Wray has the best talent in the state, starting with three quality pitchers: Dylan Hochevar, Michael Kerbs and Aaron Orr. A double play ended No. 4 Akron’s season in the quarterfinals last year, but the Rams are loaded again. Their title hopes will be led by Austin Woods and Jorgen Anderson. After being eliminated from the playoffs by a tiebreaker, Holyoke and all-stater Zach Krueger are aiming for the postseason. No. 10 Burlington dropped down from 3A, and will be talented with six starters back. Wiggins will have five top players returning and should make it to the playoffs for a third consecutive season.

Key players: Jorgen Anderson, Akron, Jr.; Ramiro Celis, Wiggins, Sr.; Nat David, Burlington, Jr.; Heath Fecht, Wray, Sr.; Miguel Flores, Wiggins, Sr.; Jacob Graff, Burlington, Sr.; Logan Hines, Burlington, Sr.; Duncan Krause, Akron, Jr.; Zach Krueger, Holyoke, Sr.; Dylan Hochevar, Wray, Sr.; Michael Kerbs, Wray, Sr.; Jorge Leon, Wiggins, Sr.; Aaron Orr, Wray, Jr.; Tyler Swanson, Holyoke, Sr.; Austin Tharp, Holyoke, So.; Austin Woods, Akron, Sr.

District 8

Favorite: Limon

Contenders: Resurrection Christian, Byers

Outlook: The defending state champions got hit hard by graduation, losing four all-state players and the player of the year. Teams can’t count out the No. 9 Badgers, though, as they still have 11 players returning, including starters Joe Stone and Andy Love. Resurrection Christian, led by Dustin Stallings, will return almost entirely intact after 15-4. The Cougars could be aided by an infusion of youth, too, as three freshmen might start. Byers still is in the rebuilding process. With six starters back, though, the Bulldogs should improve on a three-win season. Bobby Adamson and Eric Steitz are the catalysts.

Key players: Bobby Adamson, Byers, Sr.; Lucas Carls, Resurrection Christian, Fr.; Tucker Ewing, Resurrection Christian, So.; Corey Hodge, Byers, Jr.; Tyler Lohr, Resurrection Christian, Fr.; Timmy Layton, Limon, Jr.; Andy Love, Limon, Sr.; Dustin Stallings, Resurrection Christian, Jr.; Travis Sanderfeld, Limon, Sr.; Eric Steitz, Byers, Jr.; Joe Stone, Limon, Jr.; Bronson Wilborn, Byers, Jr.

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