Class 5A
Front Range league: Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Erie, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Horizon, Legacy, Loveland, Monarch, Mountain Range, Northglenn, Poudre, Prairie View and Rocky Mountain.
Boulder Panthers
Coach: John Whitehead
Last year’s result: 4-16, 3-10 5A FRL; did not advance to regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Panthers bring in a freshman class that largely played for the 2021 North Boulder Little League team, which was a win away from reaching the Little League World Series.
The Tea: They bring back starters in seniors Doug Holleman (P), who threw a team-most 33 2/3 innings last season, as well as Quinn Fraser (C/P) Charlie Margulis (SS/3B) and junior Gavin Nguyen (OF). “We have a young roster from an experience standpoint, but one that is hungry to make a new name for themselves after last year’s season,” Whitehead said. The goal is to make the postseason, the third year-coach added.
Short of breath? Not Boulder baseball as it finds calm amid new expectations
Broomfield Eagles
Coach: Kale Gilmore
Last year’s result: 24-3, 14-1 5A FRL; won Front Range League; went 0-2 in the 5A state tournament.
Testing 1-2-3: The Eagles, who were the No. 1 seed in the postseason a year ago, are looking to make another deep run as they return most of their 2023 offensive production, per Gilmore.
The Tea: Senior Dane Most (3B) hit over .415 last season, driving in 25 RBIs. He makes up a seasoned infield that also includes returners in seniors Brady Todd (SS), Bailey Smith (UTL) and junior Maverick Scarpella (1B/LHP). Juniors Ethan Zufall (RHP) and Clayton Green (RHP) help lead a pitching staff that graduated Daily Camera 2023 baseball player of the year Noah Scott. Junior Tripp Bemis (OF) is back in the outfield after hitting .433 with 18 RBIs last spring.
Erie Tigers
Coach: Eric Dillinger
Last year’s result: 13-11; 8-7 5A FRL; lost in its regional finals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Tigers expect to be a postseason team this spring, returning 13 players with varsity experience.
The Tea: Senior Kaveh Meredith (RHP) is expected to lead the pitching staff after throwing 43 frames behind last year’s ace, Ethan Dillinger, who is now at Air Force. Senior Brooks Barber (INF) had a strong offensive season behind other all-state grad Holden Pantier, who is now at Wichita State. Seniors Colton Rowan (OF), Easton Jones (C), juniors Ronin Ward (INF), Taylor McMaster (INF) and sophomore Maddox Burnett (RHP/OF) are also back in the startling lineup.
Fairview Knights
Coach: David Castillo
Last year’s result: 4-17, 3-10 5A FRL; did not advance to regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Knights have undergone a rebuild the past couple seasons, per Castillo, who said the 2024 team is “excited to get started with many returning varsity players."
The Tea: Senior Anton Keith (P) returns after having a 3.32 ERA through 19 innings on the mound last season. He is expected to share innings alongside juniors Oliver Peterson (OF/P), Matthew Seigenfeld (OF/P) and sophomore Jackson Wier (INF/P). Catcher returns after he led the team in hitting as a sophomore with a .410 average. Colin Overy (1B), Leo Muth (OF) and Max Owen (OF/P) are also aiming for strong junior campaigns.
Legacy Lightning
Coach: Ty Giordano
Last year's result: 17-6, 12-3 in FRL; ended season in 5A Region 7.
Testing 1-2-3: The Lightning lost their top three bats from last year, but will most likely look to junior Ethan Sanchez to step up to the plate for his team — literally.
The Tea: The Lightning will almost assuredly be looking to avenge last year's upset loss at regionals, but will need to replace some firepower if they hope to achieve the same level of success they've enjoyed the past few years.
Monarch Coyotes
Coach: James Thompson
Last year's result: 11-11, 5-9 5A FRL.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior first baseman Riley Hall returns as an all-conference honoree that batted .500 last year.
The Tea: Thompson will look for a season of continued improvement as the Coyotes aim to finish with a record above .500. He'll look to Hall, seniors Row Tucker (P; 2.92 ERA), Christian Mittleman (out with injury last year), Finn Gardner (UTIL; .242 batting average), Mark Gleason (OF; .361 batting average) and junior Charlie Pearce (RHP; 2.70 ERA) to lead them forward.
Class 5A/4A
Northern Colorado Athletics Conference: Centaurus, Greeley Central, Greeley West, Holy Family, Longmont, Mead, Silver Creek and Windsor.
Centaurus Warriors
Coach: Douglas Kinney
Last year’s result: 13-10, 6-8 5A/4A Northern Colorado Athletics Conference; did not advance to regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Warriors are led by the Zak, Zack and Zach trio. Zak White, Zack Young and Zach Holshey can all pitch and play the field, per Kinney.
The Tea: White (OF/P) led the team with 28 RBIs and allowed no earned runs in 10 2/3 frames on the mound last spring. Holshey (OF/INF/P), meanwhile, had a 2.10 ERA in 16 2/3 frames, and Young doubled his RBI count from his freshman season to 14. Other returning starters include Jaiden Treasure (C), Jon Lesker (OF/P) and Will Pauletto (INF).
Holy Family Tigers
Coach: Marc Cowell
Last year’s result: 23-4, 14-0 5A 4A NCAC; won NCAC; went 2-2 at the 4A state tournament.
Testing 1-2-3: Led in part by Rylan Cooney, who hit .439 last spring, the Tigers went undefeated in league play last season, outscoring their opponents 143-29. Cooney, as quarterback, went on to lead the school to a 3A title in football this past fall.
The Tea: The other top offensive threats include seniors Jayden Watts (1B/P), who led the team with 32 RBIs a year ago, as well as Cole Kuszak (SS/P), who had 28, and junior Logan Seifarth (OF), 18. Senior Finn LaVelle (C) is back behind the dish, while senior Brady Hudson (P) returns to the mound after sporting a 1.02 ERA over 34 1/3 innings.
Longmont Trojans
Coach: Tom Fobes
Last year's result: 17-7, 9-5 in 4A NCAC; ended season in 4A Region 6.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior catcher Collin Pool (.378 batting average), which Fobes says is ranked among the top five catchers in 4A, serves as the Trojans' lone returning varsity player.
The Tea: Despite fielding a very young team this season, Fobes believes that, as the boys improve each week, they'll be able to compete in the tough NCAC league. Pool, and juniors Tyson Hagen (SS/P) and Bryce Smaic (P/2B) should provide the most meaningful contributions.
Mead Mavericks
Coach: Shawn Macaluso
Last year's result: 13-11, 7-7 4A NCAC; ended season in 4A Region 8.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior OF/P Dalton Berg, who just came off of his second straight state wrestling title, batted a .571 through his first three games this season.
The Tea: Macaluso said he expects the team to be "fundamentally sound defensively, solid and confident on the mound, intentional and deliberate at the plate. Also, smart on the base paths." Berg will be joined at the top of the roster by senior Tyler Reyburn (C), who's a force behind the plate, as well as senior Ike Campbell (P) and sophomore Kaleb Walter (P).
Silver Creek Raptors
Coach: Brad Steward
Last year's result: 13-11, 9-5 in 4A NCAC; ended season in 4A Region 2.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior pitcher Jake Bator led the Raptors with 45 strikeouts last year, enjoying a 4.87 ERA.
The Tea: Steward said, "We hope to be playing our best baseball at the end of May and beginning of June." He thinks that Bator, senior Matthew Acosta (INF; .333 batting average), juniors Connor Lopez (OF; .463 batting average), Nate Spiegel (INF; .340 batting average) and senior Ian Wicht (UTIL; .277 batting average) will play key roles this year.
Class 4A
Longs Peak League: Fort Morgan, Frederick, Mountain View, Niwot, Northridge, Riverdale Ridge, Roosevelt, Severance, Skyline and Thompson Valley.
Frederick Golden Eagles
Coach: Colin York
Last year’s result: 5-17, 5-13 4A Longs Peak League; did not advance to regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: York said the team’s motto this season is CTP, which stands for “Change the Perception.” The program hasn’t had a winning season since 2014.
The Tea: The Golden Eagles, who graduated their top four RBI-getters and inning eaters from 2023, are led by returning starters in seniors Riley Faulkner (INF/P), Max Meza (INF) and junior Dom LeFevre (UTL/P), the latter of whom hit .306 last season with five RBIs. Others to watch include juniors Bryson Satterly (C), Nate Rapp (P/OF) and sophomore Olly Justice (OF/P).
Niwot Cougars
Coach: Ken Rosales
Last year's result: 14-9, 11-7 4A LPL; ended season in 4A Region 7.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior pitcher Brock Rothstein, who hurled a 3.96 ERA last year, is expected to have "an outstanding year at pitching and hitting."
The Tea: Rosales believes his boys have the makeup for a very competitive season, and believes Rothstein, juniors Jagger Kilpatrick (RHP/OF; 3.35 ERA), Charlie Shaw (OF/INF; 0.379 batting average) and Haden Shaw (RHP/3B/C; 0.439 batting average) hold all the right ingredients to make it happen.
Skyline Falcons
Coach: Travis Schlagel
Last year's result: 8-15, 8-10 in 4A LPL.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior catcher Emilio Gutierrez has been a four-year starter for the Falcons and will mix infield responsibilities in with his usual plate protection this season.
The Tea: Schlagel said that "We expect and are excited to compete in a very tough league." He will look for leadership from Gutierrez (.391 batting average) as well as fellow seniors Grayson Gomez (P; .429 batting average), Jake Clifford (P; struck out 42 batters) and Jonathan Canar (OF; .385 batting average).
Class 3A
Metro League: Colorado Academy, Forge Christian, Jefferson Academy, Kent Denver, Manual Peak to Peak, Prospect Ridge Academy and The Academy.
Jefferson Academy Jaguars
Coach: Gino Carbajal
Last year’s result: 10-14, 6-8 3A Metro; lost in first round of regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: The Jaguars are aiming to get back to the postseason behind second-team all-conference players Cody Boone (CF/P) and Austen Bauer (SS/P).
The Tea: Bauer, a junior, hit .328 last season and was tied for the RBI lead with senior Jackson Stillman (3B/P) at 17. He also pitched a team-most 44 innings, going 2-5 with a 3.82 ERA. Boone, meanwhile, hit .279 and drove in 12. They’re all back alongside seniors Jude German (C/1B), Lance Anderson (OF) and junior Riley Prevost (P/C).
Peak to Peak Pumas
Coach: Matthew Castilleja
Last year's result: 12-15, 7-7 in 3A Metro; Region 9 champions; lost in the first round of state playoffs.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior SS/P Eddie Castilleja, a dual-sport threat in soccer and baseball, is a two-time CHSAA all state team honoree after picking up baseball just four years ago.
The Tea: Matthew Castilleja expects his Pumas to vie for the league title and another trip to the state playoffs, and will do so on the backs of Eddie Castilleja, juniors AJ Greene (P/OF; struck out 53 batters), Owen Branscum (1B/P; 1.98 ERA), and sophomores Tysen Burton (CF; .355 batting average) and Dane Hirt (INF/OF; .427 batting average).
Prospect Ridge Academy Miners
Coach: Mark Knudson
Last year's result: 4-18, 3-11 in 3A Metro.
Testing 1-2-3: Junior SS/RHP Zeke Bote, who Knudson believes is a future Division-I collegiate athlete, stood out both defensively and at the plate last year, batting .397.
The Tea: Knudson expects this team to compete for a spot in the postseason this year with a young, but much-experienced roster. He believes that Bote, juniors Liam Schilling (RHP/IF; struck out 26 batters), Brady McKenney (3B/OF; .207 batting average) and senior Ethan Free (RHP/OF; .359 batting average) can catalyze the Miners toward a winning season.
Class 2A
Mile High League: Clear Creek, Dawson, Dayspring Christian, Denver Academy, Denver Christian, Estes Park, Front Range Christian, Gilpin County, Lyons, Machebeuf and Skyview Academy.
Dawson Mustangs
Coach: Troy Siegler
Last year’s result: 13-5, 9-3 2A/1A Mile High; lost in first round of regionals.
Testing 1-2-3: “We have a very stacked freshman class,” the 25-year-old coach said. “With that plus returning starters, I expect us to compete for the 2A state title this year.”
The Tea: The Mustangs graduated Ashtin Gilio, who had one of the best offensive seasons in state history in 2023, hitting .784. But they’re excited about their returners in 2024, starting with senior ace Charlie Heathwood, who had a 2.92 ERA in 48 innings last year. Also back is sophomore Shelton Johnson (3B/OF) and junior Dawson Kusel (1B/P), the latter of whom led last year’s team with 34 RBIs.
Lyons Lions
Coach: Kale Olson
Last year's result: 14-9, 7-3 in 2A MHL; ended season in the 2A regional finals.
Testing 1-2-3: Senior pitcher Wyatt Waters returns after dominating opponents from the mound last season, recording a ridiculous 120 strikes.
The Tea: The Lions look to be dangerous this season after returning starters at every position but catcher, including seven seniors. "We have pitching, power, speed and experience," says Olson, who believes sophomore Jake LaCrosse (P/SS) and freshman Zack LaCrosse (P/SS) show promising potential.
POINT ME TO THE POSTSEASON
The regular season for all local teams concludes May 14, with single-elimination regional tournaments running May 17-18. Teams that advance out of regionals will play in a double-elimination tournament over two weekends, May 24-25, and May 31-June 1.
