Colorado baseball playoffs in full swing

While the early talk surrounding the baseball district brackets has been tinged with controversy, most of that will be forgotten when play commences Saturday.

Well, perhaps Golden will still be stinging. The Demons initially were included in the Class 4A bracket but were replaced Thursday by Niwot, when it was deemed some of the Cougars' out-of-state opponents' records were weighed inaccurately.

And Fort Morgan might be smarting after receiving the No. 16 seed in 4A despite a 19-0 record. The Mustangs were placed in a district with No. 1 Pueblo West (15-4). Yes, the new system, which determines seeding through wild-card points, is receiving attention.

Here, though, is an overview of the three largest classifications, an examination of the central themes and a peek at some of the dark horses that could make a push.

In Class 5A, the top of the bracket is laced with familiar squads, as all eight district hosts are playoff regulars. Leading the way is top-seeded Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins) (16-2), which made a perfect run through the rugged Front Range League.

Chaparral (Parker), with the standout infield trio of Brett Wallace, Logan Serena and Max Kuhns, is No. 2, with Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), defending champion Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) and Grandview (Aurora) following closely. ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch), Dakota Ridge (Littleton) and Regis Jesuit (Aurora) round out the solid-as-can-be top eight.

Could a team such as, say, Chatfield (Littleton), work its way through the bracket? It's feasible. The No. 9 Chargers (11-8), competing in Regis Jesuit's district, are under the guidance of new coach Brad Thayer and have adapted quickly. Thayer had been a two-year assistant with the Chargers.

"We made some changes on not only how to play the game, but also respecting the game and playing it correctly," Thayer said. "I think this attitude helped us approach challenges better, and helped us to not only win games, but how to deal better with our losses."

The Chargers have exhibited balance in the lineup. Chatfield's 14 home runs have come from seven sources.

"I have power guys mixed in with base-hit, on-base guys," Thayer said. "I also have a nice mixture of upper and lower classmen which helps with experience and leadership."

Among the many additional lower seeds to keep an eye on are No. 13 Monarch (Louisville), with constantly raking shortstop Cole Maltese (.578 average, 12 doubles, five home runs, 22 RBI), and No. 14 Legend (Parker). The Titans were state runners-up last season and are led by the talented Dalbec Bobby (.418, seven homers, 22 RBI).

Class 5A district bracket

The top of the 4A bracket has a decided Western Slope feel. Palisade (17-2) is seeded No. 5 and Delta (16-3) checks in at No. 7. Now, No. 2 Montrose (17-2) isn't a member of the WSL but is another team from nearby.

Delta coach Marty Rover agrees that baseball in the western corridor of state is generally good, but a notch better this season.

"I cannot speak for other programs, but I know one thing that has significantly helped our program is our summer schedule," Rover said. "We have been able to schedule several games with Montrose and the 5A schools in Grand Junction, which as undeniably improved our program."

With Colorado Mesa typically boasting a solid squad and the Junior College World Series annually in Grand Junction, interest in the sport is abundant out west.

Palisade and Delta are translating it into results. Palisade ran the table in the WSL this year (a perfect 14-0) and senior pitcher Cody Higman enters the postseason 8-1 overall. Delta enters the postseason winners of 13 of its last 14.

Like many WSL teams, the Panthers don't see many teams from the metro area with only five non-league games available on their schedule. They'll see one in the opening round in No. 26 Thomas Jefferson (Denver).

"We need to continue playing the way we have over the last several weeks," Rover said. "We are a well-rounded team that is not going to wow many people, but we pride ourselves on throwing strikes, playing good defense and getting the timely hits."

Plenty of mileage will be accrued for the 4A districts. In addition to Montrose, Palisade and Delta serving as hosts, two Colorado Springs-area squads (No. 4 Air Academy and No. 6 Palmer Ridge) also will.

Greeley-based Northridge also will host as the No. 8 seed, leaving No. 3 D'Evelyn (Denver) as the classification's on metro-area team in to have a home game. Included in D'Evelyn's district is defending champion Broomfield, which checks in at No. 19.

Class 4A district bracket

In 3A, eyes are immediately drawn to Basalt when looking for a surprise squad. The Longhorns went 5-14 last season, but with the return of coach Rick Ryan, finished 15-2 this season.

The Longhorns started 6-0 for the first time in program annals and had a magical season.

"We got it done," Ryan told the Aspen Times. "We're league champions for the first time."

Despite winning the 3A WSL, the Longhorns will have to travel. Frontier League champ Bennett (15-3) edged Basalt for the No. 8 seed.

The top of the 3A bracket, not surprisingly, includes powerhouse Eaton (18-0), as it does virtually every season. Sandwiched between Metro League stalwarts Faith Christian (Arvada) (seeded No. 2) and Holy Family (Broomfield) (No. 5) are two teams from the southern reaches of the state.

Bayfield (17-2) corralled the No. 3 seed and La Junta the No. 4. Bayfield's Clay Miller is making a case for the classification's player of the year. He's gone 9-0 on the mound with an 0.29 ERA and 111 strikeouts and has batted .580 with eight homers and 53 RBI.

Brush, led by Kyle Rosenbrock, checks in at No. 6 and another southern team, Lamar, is seeded seventh.

Class 3A district bracket