Colorado baseball season off to an uncharacteristically warm start

Baseball season actually feels like baseball season in 2017. At least for the opening week, as baseball-like temperatures have encompassed the region.

Whether they stay around remains to be seen, but consider things firmly underway with few delays this far. Many of the 2016 champions are continuing to receive respect, as none of the five were ranked lower than No. 2 in the opening CHSAANow.com poll.

Here's a quick breakdown of each classification and a few storylines to keep in mind throughout the spring.

Class 5A
With high-level arms Conner Nantkes and Eric Cox still in the mix, Cherokee Trail (Aurora) begins its title defense as the top-ranked team in the opening poll. The Cougars are off to a 2-3 start, but two of the losses are to out-of-state teams and the Washington State-bound Nantkes hasn't appeared in the box score yet.

Familiar faces Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) and Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins) sit directly behind at Nos. 2 and 3, and each returns a stacked lineup, Creek's led by Tanner O'Tremba and Rocky's by Jadon Uhrich and John Sorenson.

Mullen (Denver) and Ralston Valley (Arvada) check in at Nos. 4 and 5 and Regis Jesuit (Aurora), led by Texas Christian-bound pitcher Caleb Sloan, was tabbed No. 6. Rock Canyon (Highlands Ranch), the 2015 champ, began the season ranked seventh and is off to a 5-0 start

Defending state champion: Cherokee Trail
State championship: May 27, All City Stadium
Returning all-state players: Eric Cox, Sr., P/OF, Cherokee Trail (2nd team); Conner Nantkes, Sr., P, Cherokee Trail (1st team); Jay Onken, Jr., P/OF, Pine Creek (2nd team); Casey Opitz, Sr., SS/P, Heritage (2nd team); Tanner O'Tremba, Jr., OF/P, Cherry Creek (2nd team); John Sorenson, P/SS, Rocky Mountain, Sr. (2nd team).

Class 4A
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)'s march to the title had its share of contributions from underclassmen last spring, so it's no surprise that the Eagles continue to be regarded as the team to beat. Even longtime coach Keith Wahl's departure to Alabama – he was replaced by longtime assistant Brian Bonn – did nothing to taper that perception.

The Eagles, who return all-state selection Luke Ziegler, defeated Pueblo West twice on championship Saturday last May to capture their first crown in the sport. Pueblo West begins this season No. 3, one spot behind Mountain View (Loveland).

Things take a decided turn north from there, as Windsor, Longmont, Silver Creek (Longmont) and Erie comprise four of the next five in the poll with only No. 7 Canon City south of the metro area among that group.

Defending state champion: Valor Christian
State championship: May 27, All-Star Park
Returning all-state players: Mike Berg, Sr., Util., Thompson Valley (2nd team); Billy Cook, Sr., SS/OF, Lewis-Palmer (2nd team); Ruben Portillo, Sr., P/IF, Erie (2nd team); Judah Wilbur, Sr., IF, Denver North (2nd team); Luke Ziegler, Sr., 3B/P, Valor Christian (1st team).

Class 3A
Faith Christian (Arvada) will be under the guidance of Jim Polson, after coach Ralph Nance moved on following last season's title win over Manitou Springs. The Eagles open the season at No. 2 as voters chose a talented University (Greeley) squad to lead the preseason poll.

While familiar names of southern powers Lamar and La Junta and Patriot League stalwarts Valley (Gilcrest) and Eaton make their predictable appearance in the poll, Delta will be a squad to keep tabs on. The No. 8 Panthers moved down from 4A this season and return two all-staters in Jaspar Carmichael and Ethan Keller.

Manitou Springs and talented Davyn Adamscheck landed at No. 7 in the poll after last season's second-place finish.

Defending state champion: Faith Christian
State championship: May 27, Butch Butler Field
Returning all-state players: Davyn Adamscheck, Sr., P/SS, Manitou Springs (2nd team); Jaspar Carmichael, Sr., SS/P, Delta (2nd team in 4A); Dalton Chandler, Jr., P/OF, Lamar (2nd team); Ethan Keller, Sr., P/OF, Delta (2nd team in 4A); Cesar Mercado, Sr., P/IF, Valley (2nd team).

Class 2A
Paonia loved the long ball last season, as the Eagles clubbed 32 homers. The centerpiece of the power display was then-sophomore Kayden Seriani, who crushed 13 round-trippers of his own. Ultimately, the top-seeded Eagles' season came to an end with a loss to No. 13 Limon in the semifinals. The Eagles finished 22-2 while 11th-seeded Dawson School (Lafayette) went on to capture the title.

Perhaps this is Paonia's year. The Eagles return three all-staters, including Seriani, and check in at No. 1. Dawson landed No. 2 and Dayspring Christian (Greeley), with two returning all-state selections, was anointed No. 3. Limon opened at No. 6 after the runner-up finish.

Defending state champion: Dawson School
State championship: May 27, Runyon Field
Returning all-state players: Bailey Benz, Sr., C, Rye (2nd team); Seth Clemente, Sr., IF, Dawson School (2nd team); Jonathon Cowles, Sr., P/SS, Dayspring Christian (1st team); Jimmy Fargo, Sr., C/P, Dayspring Christian (2nd team); Jaden Miller, Jr., C/P, Paonia (2nd team); Kayden Seriani, Jr., P/3B, Paonia (1st team); Trevor Smith, Sr., 3B/P, Paonia (1st team).

Class 1A
It's difficult to find more a clear-cut preseason favorite than Holly. The Wildcats won it all last season and return nearly the entire roster. That includes three all-state selections with ace Ricardo Juarez at the forefront. The right-hander went 7-0 with 1.12 ERA last season and struck out 84 in 50 innings.

Runner-up Fleming and talented senior Jaxon King check in at No. 3 in the preseason poll, one spot behind Eads. Granada and ace Ryan Koeller (7-0, 0.91 ERA last season) begin the season at No. 5 with Nucla at No. 4.

Defending state champion: Holly
State championship: May 18, All-Star Park
Returning all-state players: Ricardo Juarez, Sr., P, Holly (1st team); Jaxon King, Sr., 3B/OF, Fleming (1st team); Ryan Koeller, Sr., P, Granada (1st team); Yaniel Vidal, Sr., P/IF, Holly (1st team).