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By Jeff Letofsky
Senior Writer/Scout

Class 2A Baseball Championships

At first glance, the 16-team 2A field has some familiar names back in the fold including defending champion Denver Christian and runnersup Lutheran. Nine teams return from last year's field including Denver Christian, Lutheran, Resurrection Christian, Kiowa, Sargent, Swink, Peyton, Rye and Center.
It appears to be a wide open field with the top four seeds Resurrection Christian, Rye, Sedgwick County and Swink the favorites. Following this weekend's play, only four teams will remain and move onto the semifinals May 24 at Runyon Field. The championship game will be played at 3 p.m. May 24 at Runyon Field.


First round Friday at Hobbs Field in Pueblo

No. 1 Resurrection Christian (18-3) vs. No. 16 Dolores (9-10), 10 a.m.

The top-seeded Cougars have won 11 of their past 12 games and are scoring 11.5 runs a game while giving up just over 3. Senior Pitchers Jake Lohr (6-1, 2.38 ERA, 60 Ks, 32 1/3 innings) and Cory Wiggins (4-0, 1.14 ERA, 77 Ks, 37 innings) have some impressive numbers. The top hitters are Brett Bakersky (.432, 8 XBH, 16 RBIs); Junior Koby Bishop (.362, 21 RBIs); Senior Josh Miller (.344, 28 RBIs, 23 runs) and Sophomore Jake Tomcheck (.341, 18 RBIs). Dolores faces a tough task. With only four seniors on its roster, Dolores is young. It finished second in the three-team San Juan Basin League and has given up more runs (152) than it has scored (132). Junior Kellen Gatzke is a two-way performer with a .515 batting average and 10 RBIs and is the best pitcher for the Bears. Seniors Ethan Uptain (.394, 1 HR) and Evan Moore (.375, 10 RBIs) contribute at the plate. 

No. 8 Kiowa (14-5) vs. No. 9 Nucla (15-6), 12:30 p.m.

Appears to be the best matchup of the first round pitting teams that have had their ups and downs. Kiowa has some unique numbers with 55 stolen bases and 55 errors. The pitching staff is anchored by Juniors Maclain Smiley (4-4, 1.93 ERA, 54 K’s) and Mitchell Bates (4-1, 3.33 ERA, 52 Ks). The offense relies on Seniors Jake Jacobs (.451, 20 RBIs, 9 XBH), Marshal Deering (.435, 15 RBIs) and Caleb Smith (.441, 23 RBIs).
Nucla can put up big offensive numbers under veteran head coach Clint Wytulka. The Mustangs can flat out swing it having pounded out 245 hits and scoring 183 runs with 12 homers and 80 extra base hits. They have a team batting average of .412 with six players hitting above .400. The offense features Sophomore Tim Armintrout (.569, 19 RBIs), Colby Starks (.545, 15 RBIs) and Senior Blayde Harrigan (.551, 33 RBIs, 9 HRs, 21 XBH). The pitching staff is headed by Senior Morgan Rummel (5-3, 3.94 ERA, 71 innings) and Junior Clint Watt (5-1, 4.33 ERA). 

At Andenucio Field

No. 4 Swink (19-2) vs. No. 13 Lyons (10-10), 10 a.m.

A stumble in a doubleheader against County Line prevented the Lions from a perfect record. They are potent at the top of their lineup, hitting .395 as a team with 92 extra base hits. Swink has stolen 103 bases, so they will run. A legitimate contender. Senior Brandon Book is the leader, hitting .521 with 26 RBIs, 20 extra base hits, 34 runs and 25 stolen bases. He's also 7-1 with a 2.17 ERA on the mound. Junior Josh Rocha also is effective on the mound with a 6-0 record, 0.99 ERA and 62 strikeouts. Michael Bacciarini is the team's leading hitter at .524. 
The Lions have struggled to score runs (120) and have given up a bunch (184). But they have a knack to win the games they need to. Maybe 71 stolen bases has something to do with it. Senior Logan Watson (.491, 3 HRs), Junior Hector Rodriguez (.426, 18 RBIs) and Senior Heath Fesenmeyer (.413, 15 RBIs) trigger the offense, while Bowe Herman (4-3, 43 Ks) and Karson Kelly (3-3) are the top hurlers.

No. 5 Denver Christian (14-7) vs. No. 12 Peyton (16-5), 12:30 p.m.

The defending state champions are loaded for another run at a title. The Crusaders played a tough schedule that impacted their statistics. Don’t be fooled. Despite a No. 5 seed and a sub-par record, this team could be dangerous. Denver Christian’s top two pitchers — Chandler Van Dyke (5-3, 4.43 ERA, 72 Ks); Tate Kastens (2-4, 2.23 ERA, 41 Ks) —have combined for 113 strikeouts. On offense, Josh Van Eps (.531, 23 RBIs) and Kastens (.508, 20 RBIs, 3 HRs) carry the load
Peyton will offer a test as the Panthers have  enjoyed a solid  season, having scored nearly three  times more  than their opponents have, scoring 213 runs and giving up 79. Peyton is led by Evan Finley (.635, 38 RBIs, 40 hits, 3 HRs) and Jake Loyd (.593, 12 RBIs). The Panthers top pitchers are Tyler Lashley (6-2, 3.59 ERA, 62 Ks) and Finley (5-1, 4.50 ERA, 57 Ks).

Saturday’s games

At Hobbs Field

No. 3 Sedgwick County (19-1) vs. No. 14 South Park (13-8), 10 a.m.

Radar guns and baseball enthusiasts will be out in force to watch Sedgwick left-handed pitcher (Northeastern JC commit) Chase Dunker toe the rubber. All Dunker has done this season is post a 7-0 record with a 0.16 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings. That will be worth the price of admission. The Cougars have much more than Dunker, including pitchers Senior Tristen Lanckreit (5-0, 2.75 ERA) and Sophomore  Tyler Woodhams (4-1, 38 Ks). Offensively, Dunker leads the way with a .569 batting average followed by Jake Garnes (.530) and Trey Walker (.500). Sedgwick hits .411 as a team.
South Park will counter with plenty of offensive firepower including Dakota Connors .585, 30 RBIs, 32 SBs); Stephen Paridise (.574, 24 RBIs, 4 HRs) and Jared Lamb (.444, 29 RBIs, 32 runs, 27 SBs). Burros pitchers Jackson Bullock (3-1) and Connors (4-3, 82 Ks) will try and keep pace with Dunker. If anyone gets on, look for South Park to run. It has stolen 150 bases in 158 attempts.

No. 6 Lutheran (12-9) vs. No. 11 Center (14-7), 12:30 p.m.

Could be another closer game than expected as Center makes a rare appearance under one of the longest tenured coaches in the state — Lloyd Garcia, 33 years. Center has shut out five opponents so is capable on the mound and defensively. The Vikings hit .403 as a team with four players hitting above .400 — Senior Jacob Mortensen (.522, 25 RBIs); Juniors Alex Stiens (.500, 26 RBIs); Paul Atencio (.448, 20 RBIs) and Senior Louis Mariscal (.435, 28 RBIs, 12 2B). Steins (8-2, 2.67, 79 Ks, 60 innings) and Walter Martinez (4-0, 4.63 ERA) carry the load on the mound. Could be the sleeper of the field as a relative unknown.
Lutheran leans on Senior Tyler Livermont, who is hitting at a .429 clip with 29 RBIs and has posted a 4-3 record on the mound with a 2.33 ERA and 56 strikeouts. Brett Esseigen (2-3, 4.64 ERA) is the No. 2 hurler. Lutheran plays in a good league against good competition, always a plus when you reach this level.

At Andenucio Field

No. 2 Rye (20-1) vs. No. 15 Sargent (9-7), 10 a.m.

An all-Southern Colorado matchup with a perennial contender in Rye against Sargent, another annual playoff  participant. The T-bolts are the real deal having posted eight shutouts on the season and giving up just 37 runs while  scoring 222. Rye's lone loss was to Class 4A Centennial (3-1) in late March. First-year head coach Stacy Graham has playoff experience as an assistant during Pueblo West’s 4A run to the state championship game a year ago. Rye has a miniscul 0.74 ERA as a staff led by Trenton Hughes (8-0, 0.21 ERA, 84 Ks) and Junior Luis Ortiz (6-1, 0.99 ERA, 69 Ks). Hughes (.564, 31 RBIs, 6 HRs); Ortiz (.561, 14 RBIs, 40 runs)  and Bailey Benz (.516, 29 RBIs) are the catalysts on offense.
Sargent is led by veteran head coach Terry VanBibber, in his 20th season. The Farmers hit .402 as a team with five players above the .400 mark including Alex Swanson (.635, 27 RBIs, 3 HRs) and Nate Ramirez (.523, 16 RBIs, 5 HRs). As a team, they have 54 extra base hits and have nearly a .500 on-base percentage. Ramirez (4-1, 46 Ks) is the ace on the mound along with Michael Uliberri (4-1, 30 Ks).

No. 7 Rocky Ford (15-7) vs. No. 10 Wray (8-11), 12:30 p.m.

The best mascot name in the field, the Meloneers, take on a team from the northeast quadrant of the state. Expect the unexpected from these teams from leagues that rarely cross over. The Meloneers have a hefty .411 team batting average with 82 extra base his, including 60 doubles. Seniors Mario Ambrosio (.581, 39 RBIs, 22 XBH, 3 HRs) and Isaiah Baca-Lafore (.561, 19 RBIs, 16 XBH) have posted big offensive numbers. Rocky Ford tries to outscore its opponents as evident of their 4.98 ERA. Ambrosio (4-1, 1.55 ERA, 38 Ks) and Marcus Torrez (3-3) are the two best arms. 
The Eagles got hot at the right time, winning four in a row to reach this point, half of their total wins on the season. That, despite being outscored 131-119 over the entire season. Wray's top hitters are Sophomore Logan Schaffner (.486, 20 runs), Senior Alec Ellis (.403, 13 RBIs, 11 SBs) and Jonas Cure (.484, 22 RBI, 12 XBH).
Cure (3-1, 3.50 ERA, 47 Ks) and Zach Spencer (3-3, 4.48 ERA) lead the mound corps. Wray has stolen 49 bases.

May 24

At Hobbs Field

Semifinals: 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m.

Championship: 3 p.m.