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Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. 

Like any preseason ranking for any sport, last year our list created a lot of fun conversations, debate, and opinions among players, coaches, and families. To see what we got right, and what we got wrong in 2017 Click Here

What makes our list unique is it combines all classifications (1A through 5A), and leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.

Factors that are considered when creating the Top 50 List are the following:

- How many current players are returning that are in PBR Colorado rankings
- How many overall players committed or non-committed are returning
- How many starting pitchers are returning
- Success the previous season
- History of success in the program

* We expect the teams in the Top 50 Countdown will compete for at least a district playoff spot in 2018

Team No. 20: Douglas County

2018 Preseason Rank: 20
2017 Preseason Rank: 36
2017 Record: 12-8
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Craig Gienger
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Denver East in the District round
2017 Final Rank: 29
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 3
Returning Innings on Mound: 112
RBI's returning: 86

 

STAT RAT: 3.63 ERA for the Huskies last year, this number has the potential to go much lower this year with the arms they will put on the mound.

X-FACTORS: Run production.  Last year the Huskies produced 136 runs, they will need to find more offense this season to help take pressure off the pitching staff.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a team that has been building to this year for some time now.  Playing in the Continental League against some of the best teams in 5A can make it feel like a war just to get to may.  The Huskies will benefit from this challenge and we expect them to be near the top when regular season play ends.  This will put Douglas County in great shape to make some serious noise come playoff time.

Players to Watch

Murphy Gienger SS / RHP / Douglas County HS, CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 3 6-foot-3, 185-pound right hand hitting SS/RHP.  At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch.  Good lower leg drive on the swing.  Hands come through the zone and create good whip.  He showed good bat control to all fields and excellent pull side power.  Exit velocity was 91 MPH.   In the field he showed good athletic actions and instincts.  He moves well left and right and shows soft hands.  He has a lightning quick transfer and arm velocity was 81 MPH.  On the mound he showcased a nice 4 pitch mix.  He has a strong lower leg drive to the plate and stays in-line on his delivery.  Arm slot is over the top with good extension out front.  Fastball was 87 MPH with good location.  He added a 71-73 MPH curve with sharp 11/5 break, a 75-76 MPH change and a 72 MPH slider with late break in the zone.  He has the ability to drop down side arm on any pitch and keep his velocity up.

Case Williams RHP / 1B / Douglas County, CO / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 7 Williams will see his innings and expectations go way up in 2018.  Last year he added 3 wins and 16 k's.  We saw Williams at the Preseason All-State in February and he looked ready to go.  Fastball 87 mph and he showed good command of a 73-74 mph curve and a 71-73 mph change with late sink.

Jack Lisowy RHP / Douglas County , CO / 2018 Lisowy had an impressive 2017 season on the mound with 42.1 innings and 38 K's.  He was responsible for 3 of the Huskies 12 wins.  At the plate he had a 300 avg. with 12 RBI.

Lucas Degarmo OF / Douglas County, CO / 2018 Degarmo is part of a trio of pitchers coming back for the Huskies.  He logged 41.1 innings last year with 27 K's and 4 wins.  At the plate he added a 302 avg. 4 stolen bases and 6 extra base hits.