By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

The Class 4A Final Four will be played at All Star Park on Friday May 27th and Saturday May 28th.  Pueblo West enters the weekend with an automatic bid in the 4A state championship game, and will have to be beaten twice.

Here's a capsuled look at each team:

Erie vs (16-8) vs. Valor Christian (20-4) 

About the Erie Tigers:
Last year the Erie Tigers had two 1- run heart breaking losses in the Final 8, but this year they broke through to the Final Four. After returning 6 starters from last year's team, the Tigers have some experience other teams don't have this weekend. 2016 SS Josh Crites is a 3-year varsity starter and has been one of their top hitters. Another one of their top hitters is 2016 1B Luke Conilogue. 2016 RHP Victor Villa has been one of their top options on the mound the last two years. Head coach Harold Reynolds has built a solid and stable program at Erie with expectations to be back to compete for the 4A state championship in 2016.  After coming up short the last few years they have a legitimate chance this weekend. 

About the Valor Christian Eagles:
The Eagles who finished the regular season with 10 straight victories look to continue playing well in this weekend's final 4 match up.  As a team, Valor hit .351 with 23 stolen bases on the year.  The 2.75 ERA from a solid pitching staff is what gives Valor a chance in any game.  Davis Heller was a perfect 9-0 on the mound this year, he had a 2.39 ERA and 50 strikeouts.  Luke Ziegler would be 1B on the mound this year, going 5-1 with 43 K's and a 2.40 ERA.  At the plate, Blake Donnels had a .446 average with 30 RBI, Joel Pierce provided the power leading the team with 4 HR's and he added 23 RBI, finally Luke Ziegler had 35 hits on the year with a .417 average.  

Pueblo West (20-4) vs. Windsor (20-4) 

About the Pueblo West Cyclones:
The Cyclones who have a spot in the Championship game after defeating Valor last weekend will bring a balanced team into the final 4.  As a team they are hitting .370 and have an eye opening 50 stolen bases on the year.  Their pitching staff keeps them in all games with a 2.75 collective ERA.  At the plate they are led by Josh Drury who has a .346 average with 29 RBI, Dauson Tate who has a .411 average with 30 hits and 25 RBI and Rocco Arguto who hit .500 and led the team with 8 steals.  Zach Maize will be given the ball for the Cyclones and he will bring his 8-1 record into the weekend.  The Cyclone's number one has 40 K's on the year with a 3.13 ERA.

About the Windsor Wizards: 
A consistent team all year who rattled off 7 wins to end the regular season relies on timely hitting and good pitching to win ball games.  As a team they hit for a .326 average and spread the danger up and down their lineup.  Jake Greenwalt had a .303 AVG with 20 hits and 14 RBI, Tyler  Shubert had a .397 AVG with 22 RBI and 8 doubles and Mitchell Watson with his .423 AVG, 30 hits and 26 runs scored helped lead the way to a 204 record.  Braden Peninger sets the table when he gets on with his 16 stolen bases.  On the mound the Wizards will turn to Jake Greenwalt and his 79K's on the year.  He enters this weekend with 9 wins and a .89 ERA.