Nearly everything went right for Resurrection Christian’s Lucas Carls last season.

His team just had beaten the No. 1 and 2 teams in the state in the regional playoffs, had won a record 20 games and was in the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

The opportunity to win the Class 2A state baseball championship came to a crashing halt, though, as Custer County dominated the Cougars 10-0. Carls entered in relief and was roughed up. He allowed two runs, two hits and a walk in one inning.

Although Carls finished with a classification-best nine wins and a 1.83 ERA en route to being selected the 2A pitcher of the year, it didn’t soothe the disappointment of feeling overwhelmed in the biggest game of the season.

“We came into that game with butterflies,” Carls said. “But when it’s game time, we have to be ready to go and get down to business, hitting, pitching and throwing. On that day, our bats didn’t show up. We went into that game last year thinking that it was just another baseball game, but Custer County came ready to play.”

With Resurrection Christian returning a majority of that team, including fellow all-state pitcher Tyler Lohr, the possibility of the Cougars reaching at least the semifinals again is good.

“I think that we have a good chance of doing it again,” Carls said. “We lost Dustin Stallings and Jonny Swett, but I think that our losses aren’t as great as our gains. We are deep at pitching again, which is one of our focus points, and I think that great defense always makes up for offense.”

For fans keeping score of all the changes in district alignments, take note: New to 2A this season is Ignacio, which drops from Class 3A, while La Veta and Merino come up from Class A. Also, Jefferson Academy, Grand Valley and Lyons have moved up to 3A, and Nucla, Wiley, Holly and Simla dropped down to Class A.

In addition, Resurrection Christian moved from District 8 to District 4, Burlington from District 7 to District 8 and Lutheran-Parker from District 3 to District 7.

Athletes at 2A schools often play as many as three sports in a school year. While that’s good for the school, it can be rough on a coach.

Consider the circumstances of John Glosson from Akron and Carl Lindauer from Las Animas. Both coaches lost key players — Joe McKay from Akron (broken leg) and Derek Wilson from Las Animas (torn anterior cruciate ligament) — to football-related injuries.

Neither player is expected to return.

“We might get him back at the tail end of the season,” Lindauer said of Wilson. “He was going to be our top pitcher and hitter, and he provided toughness and leadership. There’s going to be a big void there.”

FIRST PITCH

CLASS 2A TOP 10

1. Custer County: The defending state champion is primed to be the first team to repeat since Paonia won three in row (1996-98).

2. Resurrection Christian: Behind a top pitching tandem, the Cougars will look to build on their 20-win season.

3. Dolores: The Bears return seven players from their 20-win season.

4. Akron: With two top pitchers, the Rams have a good chance of winning their first baseball title.

5. Holyoke: A down effort last season was an aberration for the Dragons.

6. Paonia: A solid pitching staff has the Eagles ready for the challenge.

7. Kiowa: With a tough lineup, led by all-stater Alex Emig, the Indians have the talent to go far.

8. Byers: Six of the nine starters will be sophomores, so the Bulldogs will be a team to reckon with for years.

9. Cotopaxi: A strong finish should carry over, and with six players back, the Pirates should challenge Custer County for the district title.

10. Sanford: The Indians won 16 games and made the playoffs, and with six starters back, they could go further.

Consensus district picks: Sanford (District 1), Dolores (District 2), Kiowa (District 3), Resurrection Christian (District 4), Custer County (District 5), Swink (District 6), Akron (District 7), Byers (District 8).

TOP PLAYERS BY POSITION

Player, School, Year

PITCHERS

Lucas Carls, Resurrection Christian, Jr.

Logan Davisson, Akron, Sr.

Jason Frink, Custer County, Sr.

Andrew Hill, Dolores, Jr.

Tyler Lohr, Resurrection Christian, Jr.

CATCHERS

Corey Barnes, Custer County, Sr.

Cody Miller, Kiowa, Sr.

Austin Tharp, Holyoke, Sr.

INFIELDERS

SS Matt Brown, Limon, Jr.

INF Brett Brunner, Dolores, Sr.

SS Rolando Celis, Wiggins, Jr.

SS Jordan Dodge, Byers, So.

INF Alex Emig, Kiowa, Sr.

1B Casey Gillenwater, Paonia, So.

1B Justin Grano, Rocky Ford, Jr.

SS Ben Mullett, Custer County, Sr.

INF Alec Vasquez, Akron, Sr.

SS T.J. Wells, Maranatha Christian, Sr.

OUTFIELDERS

David Collins, Sedgwick County, Sr.

Byron Guy, Akron, Jr.

Ben Reinick, Wray, Sr.

Blaine Miller, Las Animas, So.

Jonathon Smith, Paonia, Sr.

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