By John Cackowski
State Director

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. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level:

 

Team: Hotchkiss
Preseason Rank: 46
2015 Record: 18-3
Conference: District 2
CHSAA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Blake Carlquist 
Playoff Run:  Lost 5-3 in extra innings in 2A State Playoffs to Limon
2016 Final Rank: 40
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS:
Chase Hiatt, C, 2018
Eli Kirk, RHP, 2018
Johnathan Gonzalez, P, 2018
 
OTHER PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE AN IMPACT
Colton Deluzio, Util, 2017
Parker Katzdorn, Util, 2017
Raul Mendoza, Util, 2017
Marvin Guereque, Util, 2019
Presley Pene, P, 2019 

X-FACTOR: 
The playoff experience the Bulldogs have had the last two years should help them turn the corner and compete for the 2A title in 2017

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Cesar Gonzalez: Graduated

STAT RAT:  
The Bulldogs had a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning against Limon last year to advance to the 2A Final Four only to have a heart breaking loss in extra innings to end their season.  

BOTTOM LINE: 
The Bulldogs could taste a 2A state championship the last two years only to have two heartbreaking losses to end the year. In 2015 the Bulldogs had a 6-0 lead against Rye in the Final Four only to lose in the last inning 9-8. Last year the Bulldogs were trying to hold on to a 3-2 lead in the 7th in the Final 8 but would lose 5-3 in extra innings against Limon. This year the Bulldogs have one more chance before the window closes on this group. What will help is they return 75 innings on the mound in with Eli Kirk (2017), and Johnathan Gonzalez (2018). Both went 5-0 on the season. Gonazlez carried a 1.08 ERA and struck out 57 in 39 innings only giving up 16 hits. Kirk carried a 2.62 ERA and struck out 44 in 37 innings. Both also were important parts of the offense. Kirk hit .438 and Gonzalez hit .378. Chase Hiatt will be their main batter mate. Last year Hiatt hit .373 with 6 doubles. The Bulldogs have strong leadership coming back in Deluzio, Katzdorn, and Mendoza. Watch for sophomore Presley Pene to make an impact as well. Pene hit over .300 last year in 30 at bats and could compete for the 3rd spot in the rotation.