Preseason Countdown: No.25 Pueblo South

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. To see the entire list CLICK HERE

Team: Pueblo South
Preseason Rank: 25
2014 Record: 16-5
Conference: 4A South Central
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Gary Lown
Playoff Run: Lost to Lewis Palmer 9-2 in Class 4A District 8 Championship Game
2015 Final Rank: 26
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Brandon Maes, C, No. 28 2016 (Colorado State University-Pueblo)
Jacob Beford, RHP, 2016
Zachary Castelluci, RHP, 2016
Trey Graham, 2016
Marcus Estrada, 2016

X-FACTOR:
The Colts bring back good experience (70 innings) on the mound plus one of the better catchers in the state to compete in the sure to be dog fight between Pueblo East and Pueblo West.

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Jayson Ortiz: Graduated

STAT RAT:
The Colts only gave up 75 runs in 2015, and 17 of them (22%) came in the 4A district playoffs.

BOTTOM LINE:
Every year the Pueblo teams beat up on each other in the tough 4A South Central Standings. Pueblo South tied for the league championship with Pueblo West in 2015, and split with them during the season. They were primed for a 4A Final 8 run but ran into the No. 2 ranked player in the state RHP Paul Tillotson in the District 8 Championship Game. The Colts bring back some solid talent for another run of it in 2016. Starting with 2016 C Brandon Maes. Maes is a strong muscular catcher. One of the top hitters in the state, Maes led his team in every offensive category. He hit .507 with 39 RBI's, 11 Doubles, 2 triples and 2 homeruns. 2016 Trey Graham was one of the Colts tops hitters in 2015 and is returning. Graham hit .326 last year. The Colts also return 70 innings pitched from 2015 in 2016 RHP Zach Castelluci, and 2016 RHP Jacob Bedford. Both players hit over .300 last year, and combined for over 30 innings each. 2016 Marcus Estrada also returns. Last year he hit. .309 and stole 5 bases and scored over 20 runs.  With two returning starters and Maes look for the Colts to make another push for the elusive 4A Final 8 appearance they have been seeking.

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