CHSAANow

Tag: Rocky Mountain

  • 18 more locals picked on final day of MLB Draft, bringing total to 23

    Chaparral Rocky Mountain baseball
    Chaparral’s Keenan Eaton was among locals selected in the 2014 MLB Draft. (Kevin Keyser/KeyserImages.com)

    A slew of local products, including a host of 2014 graduates, were selected on the third and final day of the MLB Draft on Saturday.

    Eighteen former Colorado high school baseball players were taken, bringing the total number of local products who were drafted this year to 23. Of those 23, 12 just completed their senior season this spring.

    True to Colorado’s history, 14 of the draftees are pitchers.

    Saturday was a good day for 2014 graduates. Ten of them went:

    • Ralston Valley’s Jordan Holloway
    • Grand Junction’s Owen Taylor
    • Rocky Mountain’s Carl Stajduhar
    • Regis Jesuit’s David Peterson
    • Pueblo South’s Cory Voss
    • Mountain Vista’s Nick Leonard
    • ThunderRidge’s Brody Westmoreland
    • Fairview’s Ryan Kokora
    • Legacy’s Lucas Gilbreath
    • Chaparral’s Keenan Eaton

    In addition, eight more alumni were selected out of college on Saturday. Those are:

    • Thomas Jefferson alum Brennan Henry
    • Arvada West grad Gavin Glanz
    • Rock Canyon grad Tanner Krietemeier
    • Montrose alum Nate Robertson
    • Rocky Mountain alum Jess Amedee
    • Resurrection Christian grad Jordan Piche
    • Fairview alum Tucker Tharp
    • Ponderosa grad Keegan Ghidotti

    Kyle Freeland, a 2011 graduate of Thomas Jefferson, was picked by the Rockies with the No. 8 overall selection on Thursday. Friday, four local kids were picked, led by 2014 Evergreen grad Brock Burke.

    Saturday, Henry was the first local off the board. He went in the 17th round to the Kansas City Royals at No. 513 overall.

    A 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed pitcher, Henry was picked out of Bellevue (Neb.) University, where he just finished his junior season. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 2010, then went on to play two seasons at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling.

    Henry just finished his junior season at Bellevue, an NAIA school, where he was 9-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 77 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 101 against 51 walks.

    Ralston Valley Standley Lake baseball
    Ralston Valley’s Jordan Holloway was a 17th-round pick in the MLB Draft on Saturday. (Matt Mathewes/MVPSportsPics.com)

    Holloway was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round, becoming just the third local 2014 graduate taken in this draft. He went with the No. 587 overall pick.

    At 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Holloway is a sizeable right-handed pitcher. He was 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 43 innings during his season year at Ralston Valley, and struck out 50 batters, while walking 26.

    But Holloway also played third base for the Mustangs, and made plenty of noise with his bat. He hit .419 with five home runs and 25 RBIs. Included was a three-homer, nine-RBI game against Standley Lake on April 19.

    Holloway is a Nebraska-Omaha recruit.

    Glanz, a 2010 graduate of Arvada West, was the third Colorado product taken by the Rockies this year when he went to the local club in the 23rd round with the No. 683 overall pick.

    A 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, Glanz played two seasons at Seward (Kan.) Community College before heading to Oral Roberts. As a junior this year, Glanz was 3-5 with a 3.27 ERA and 50 strikeouts to 30 walks.

    Glanz’s father, Scott, was also drafted, going to the Angels in the 13th round in 1982.

    Later in the 23rd round, the Atlanta Braves took 2010 Rock Canyon graduate Tanner Krietemeier, a first baseman.

    Krietemeier spent his freshman season at Nebraska, then moved to Iowa Western CC as a sophomore. He transferred to Oklahoma State as a junior, and just completed his senior season there.

    This season, Krietemeier hit .275 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs.

    As the draft hit the 27th and 28th rounds, six further Colorado products went in quick succession. The group was selected over a span of 50 picks.

    Taylor, a 2014 Grand Junction grad, went to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 27th round, No. 804 overall. He’s a 6-foot-2, 200-pound first baseman, and is a Kansas recruit. Taylor hit .266 with 15 RBIs this season.

    Robertson graduated from Montrose in 2011, and also played basketball for the Indians. He was a 27th round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and went No. 810 overall.

    A 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior shortstop, Robertson hit .356 with six home runs and 48 RBIs this season as the Mavericks made the Division II final. He also stole 25 bases on 28 attempts.

    Amedee is a 2011 alum of Rocky Mountain, and was part of multiple championships with the Lobos. The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him in the 27th round, as well, at No. 821 overall.

    After graduating, Amedee went to Northern Colorado, Central Arizona Community College and spent last season, his junior year, at Texas-Arlington. A right-handed pitcher who stands 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he was 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA in 48 1/3 innings as a junior.

    Rocky Mountain Regis Jesuit baseball
    Rocky Mountain’s Carl Stajduhar went in the 27th round. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Stajduhar went two picks after Amedee at No. 823 overall, becoming a 27th-round pick of the Braves. A 2014 graduate, he led Rocky Mountain to the Class 5A championship this spring, capping a brilliant career.

    As a senior, Stajduhar hit .489 and led the state with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs. He is a New Mexico recruit.

    Piche went to the Los Angeles Angeles in the 28th round, No. 854 overall. He’s a 6-foot-1, 180-pound right-handed pitcher who graduated from Resurrection Christian in 2010 and is now at Kansas.

    Prior to becoming a Jayhawk, Piche spent two seasons at Indian Hills CC in Iowa — which is where Fountain-Fort Carson graduate Nick Green was drafted out of in the seventh round Friday.

    As a senior this past season, Piche went 6-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 82 1/3 innings. He had 69 strikeouts to 29 walks.

    Next off the board was Regis Jesuit pitcher David Peterson, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound lefty who fractured his right fibula prior to the season. Peterson, a 2014 grad, went in the 28th round to the Boston Red Sox, No. 854 overall.

    Peterson battled back from the injury to return to the Raiders in mid-April and finished with a 1.15 ERA in 24 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .180 batting average. Despite the shortened season, he was 3-0 and had 40 strikeouts to 12 walks.

    Peterson is an Oregon recruit.

    “I want to thank the Red Sox for drafting me,” Peterson tweeted Saturday. “It is such an honor to be picked by one of the best organizations there is.”

    Tharp, meanwhile, went to the New York Mets in the 30th round, No. 895 overall. He was also a football star for Fairview before graduating in 2010.

    A 5-foot-10, 195-pound outfielder, Tharp hit .310 with six home runs and 39 RBIs as a senior at Kansas this season. He also stole 11 of the 15 bases he attempted to.

    Voss became the fourth local picked by the Rockies this draft when they took him in the 34th round, No. 1013 overall. A 5-foot-10, 190-pound catcher, he hit. 469 with four home runs and 22 RBIs this past season.

    Like Stajduhar, Voss is a New Mexico recruit.

    “Thanks to the Rockies for drafting me!” Voss tweeted on Saturday. “Huge honor to be selected by such a great organization! Thanks to everyone for the support!”

    Leonard, Mountain Vista’s right-handed pitcher, was next, going to the Braves later in the 34th round, at No. 1033 overall.

    Leonard graduated this spring, is a Washington State recruit and was flat out dominant this season. Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he went 8-3 with a microscopic 0.88 ERA in 80 innings this season. He had 105 strikeouts to 16 walks.

    ThunderRidge Cherry Creek baseball
    ThunderRidge shortstop Brody Westmoreland was drafted by the Rockies in the 35th round. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    ThunderRidge’s Westmoreland, a 2014 grad, then went in the 35th round to the Rockies, becoming the fifth local selected by the team. A San Diego State recruit, he hit .420 with seven home runs and 40 RBIs this season, and also stole 12 bases.

    Westmoreland is listed as 6-foot-3, 185 pounds — and despite speculation to the contrary, he has not been approached about moving to a corner infield spot and will stay at shortstop at San Diego State, or as a professional should he sign. In fact, he’s been told by scouts that he’s a prototypical shortstop.

    “Thank you Rockies for drafting me today!” Westmoreland tweeted. “Want to thank everyone for all the support and looking forward to playing at San Diego State!”

    Fairview’s Kokora, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound right-handed pitcher who graduated this spring, was the fourth Colorado product selected by the Braves on Saturday. He went in the 35th round, No. 1063 overall.

    A Hawaii Pacific recruit, Kokora went 9-0 with a 1.38 ERA this season. He held batters to a .166 average, and struck out 65 to 15 walks in helping the Knights to the 5A Final 8.

    Gilbreath, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed pitcher from Legacy, was the Rockies’ sixth and final local selection when he went in the 36th round, No. 1073 overall.

    Gilbreath graduated this spring and is a Minnesota recruit. He went 6-2 with a 1.45 ERA this season. Gilbreath had 111 strikeouts, which led 5A, to just 22 walks.

    Ghidotti just finished his senior season at Ouachita Baptist, a Division II school in Arkansas. He graduated from Ponderosa in 2010.

    A 6-foot-2, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, Ghidotti was 0-1 with eight saves and a 2.06 ERA in 35 innings this past season.

    Chaparral’s Eaton, who graduated this spring, was the final local product selected in this year’s draft. He went in the 39th round, No. 1162 overall, to the Philadelphia Phillies.

    Eaton, who is a Wichita State recruit, was drafted as a 6-foot, 195-pound left fielder. He hit .328 with with a home run and 13 RBIs this season.

    The 2014 MLB Draft started with the first, second and compensation rounds on Thursday. Rounds 3-10 were Friday, with Nos. 11-40 Saturday.

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    Colorado products taken in 2014 MLB Draft

    Alumni
    Rd. Ovr. Team Name Position High School College
    1 8 Colorado Rockies Kyle Freeland LHP Thomas Jefferson (2011) Evansville
    3 98 Los Angeles Dodgers John Richy RHP Golden (2011) UNLV
    7 216 Texas Rangers Nick Green RHP Fountain-Fort Carson (2013) Indian Hills (Iowa) CC
    17 513 Kansas City Royals Brennan Henry LHP Thomas Jefferson (2010) Bellevue (Neb.)
    23 683 Colorado Rockies Gavin Glanz RHP Arvada West (2010) Oral Roberts
    23 703 Atlanta Braves Tanner Krietemeier 1B Rock Canyon (2010) Oklahoma State
    27 810 Arizona Diamondbacks Nate Robertson SS Montrose (2011) Colorado Mesa
    27 821 Pittsburgh Pirates Jess Amedee RHP Rocky Mountain (2011) Texas-Arlington
    28 839 Los Angeles Angels Jordan Piche RHP Resurrection Christian (2010) Kansas
    30 859 New York Mets Tucker Tharp OF Fairview (2010) Kansas
    38 1141 Baltimore Orioles Keegan Ghidotti RHP Ponderosa (2010) Ouachita Baptist
    2014 graduates
    Round Overall Team Name Position High School Commit
    3 96 Tampa Bay Rays Brock Burke LHP Evergreen Oregon
    6 173 Colorado Rockies Max George SS Regis Jesuit Oregon State
    20 587 Miami Marlins Jordan Holloway RHP Ralston Valley Nebraska-Omaha
    27 804 Toronto Blue Jays Owen Taylor 1B Grand Junction Kansas
    27 823 Atlanta Braves Carl Stajduhar 1B Rocky Mountain New Mexico
    28 854 Boston Red Sox David Peterson LHP Regis Jesuit Oregon
    34 1013 Colorado Rockies Cory Voss C Pueblo South New Mexico
    34 1033 Atlanta Braves Nick Leonard RHP Mountain Vista Washington State
    35 1043 Colorado Rockies Brody Westmoreland SS ThunderRidge San Diego State
    35 1063 Atlanta Braves Ryan Kokora RHP Fairview Hawaii Pacific
    36 1073 Colorado Rockies Lucas Gilbreath LHP Legacy Minnesota
    39 1162 Philadelphia Phillies Keenan Eaton LF Chaparral Wichita State

  • All-state boys track & field teams for 2014 season

    The 2014 all-state boys track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A


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    Class 5A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Andrew Barlow Junior Monarch Pole vault
    Cerake Geberkidane Senior Denver East 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Olabisi Johnson Junior Bear Creek 110 hurdles
    Spencer Long Senior Poudre 300 hurdles
    Max McDonald Junior Rocky Mountain Shot put, Discus
    Ben Morgan Junior Highlands Ranch Long jump
    Tyler Russell Senior Fossil Ridge High jump
    Brandon Singleton Senior Cherokee Trail 200 meters, 400 meters
    Trey Smith Senior Douglas County 100 meters
    Connor Turnage Senior Highlands Ranch Triple jump


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    Class 4A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Micheal DeCarmo Senior Sand Creek Long jump
    Kyree Gerstle-Goodman Senior Widefield 110 hurdles
    Peter Greco Senior Wheat Ridge Triple jump
    Kevin McClanahan Senior Erie 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters
    Nicholas Meihaus Senior Pueblo South High jump, Pole vault
    Liam Meirow Senior Summit 1600 meters
    Zac Petrie Senior Valor Christian 800 meters
    Bailey Roth Senior Coronado 3200 meters
    Jackson Spalding Senior Discovery Canyon Shot put, Discus
    Trenton Stringari Junior Canon City 300 hurdles


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    Class 3A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Chris Baker Senior Frontier Academy 1600 meters
    Austin Baumeister Senior Frontier Academy Triple jump
    Andy Bowles Senior Coal Ridge High jump
    Robert Delfeld Junior St. Mary’s 800 meters
    Nick Deray Junior The Classical Academy 200 meters, 400 meters
    Jayce Hall Sophomore The Classical Academy Long jump
    David Jones Senior Eaton Pole vault
    Miguel Molas Junior James Irwin 100 meters
    Nick Paradiso Senior Trinidad Discus
    Jonathan Roy Senior The Classical Academy 300 hurdles
    Conner Wilburn Senior The Classical Academy 3200 meters
    Austin Williams Junior Cedaredge Shot put
    Ryan Younggreen Junior Holy Family 110 hurdles


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    Class 2A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Samuel Ambler Senior Rye 800 meters, Triple jump
    Jerod Berg Senior Swink Shot put
    Chris Carpenter Senior South Park Long jump
    Chris Epps Senior Peyton High jump
    Nico Forcatto Junior Liberty Common 400 meters
    Brandon Hinkle Sophomore Yuma Pole vault
    Colin Munster Senior Haxtun 110 hurdles
    Garrett Quintana Sophomore John Mall Discus
    Paul Roberts Sophomore Lyons 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Cole Watson Senior Resurrection Christian 300 hurdles
    Chris Youngs Sophomore Lutheran 100 meters, 200 meters


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    Class 1A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Nick Boyne Sophomore Vail Christian Pole vault
    Caleb Brown Senior Elbert Discus
    Ryan Dollerschell Senior Prairie 1600 meters
    Kyle English Junior Stratton Long jump, Triple jump
    Bryce Grahn Freshman South Baca 3200 meters
    Avery Marzolf Senior Hi-Plains Shot put
    Lance Munoz Senior Creede High jump
    Koy Palmer Junior Granada 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles
    Clay Russell Senior North Park 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters

  • All-state girls track & field teams for 2014 season

    The 2014 all-state girls track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A | 2A | 1A


    [divider]

    Class 5A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Stephanie Bess Senior Arvada West Triple jump
    Jordyn Colter Junior Cherry Creek 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Lauren Gregory Freshman Fort Collins 3200 meters
    Dior Hall Senior George Washington 100 hurdles
    Heather Harrower Senior Fairview 400 meters
    Carly Lester Junior Rocky Mountain 300 hurdles
    Josephine Natrasevschi Senior Fort Collins Shot put, Discus
    Carly Paul Senior Poudre High jump
    Chyna Ries Senior Denver East Long jump
    Heather Waite Senior Loveland Pole vault
    Alleandra Watt Junior Pine Creek 100 meters, 200 meters


    [divider]

    Class 4A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Michelle Carbajal Senior Eagle Valley Triple jump
    Alexei Cox Senior Broomfield 100 meters
    Elise Cranny Senior Niwot 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Rebecca Harris Senior Sand Creek Long jump
    Molly Klotz Senior Longmont 300 hurdles
    Lindsey Kroboth Senior Thompson Valley High jump
    Nicole Montgomery Junior Lewis-Palmer 200 meters, 400 meters
    Ashlyn Nolan Sophomore Discovery Canyon 100 hurdles
    Kimberly Peterson Senior Elizabeth Pole vault
    Haley Showalter Junior Valor Christian Discus
    Mariah Walker Senior Sand Creek Shot put


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    Class 3A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Hannah Carr Senior The Classical Academy Shot put
    Kylie Chavez Freshman Sterling Long jump
    Eva-lou Edwards Senior Bayfield 3200 meters
    Kelsi Lasota Senior Estes Park 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Jazmin Montes Senior Platte Valley Triple jump
    Brittany Pierce Senior Eaton 400 meters
    Kayla Pinnt Sophomore Moffat County 100 meters, 200 meters
    Taylor Strohecker Senior Pagosa Springs High jump
    Andrea Willis Sophomore The Classical Academy Pole vault
    Sarah Yocum Freshman Faith Christian 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles


    [divider]

    Class 2A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Sophia Anderson Freshman Hoehne Triple jump
    Kacey Buttrick Junior South Park 300 hurdles
    Jennifer Celis Senior Hotchkiss 400 meters, 800 meters, 1600 meters
    Monica Drury Sophomore Yuma Pole vault
    Morgan Hartigan Junior Paonia Shot put
    Logan Hixon Sophomore Yuma Long jump
    Brooke Lenox Sophomore Eads Discus
    Miranda Mathiason Junior Highland 100 hurdles
    Miriam Roberts Senior Lyons 3200 meters
    Marissa Storey Senior Sangre de Cristo 100 meters, 200 meters
    Ashley Van Vleet Sophomore Paonia High jump


    [divider]

    Class 1A

    First Team
    Name Year School Event(s)
    Taylor Alexander Sophomore Vail Christian 200 meters, Pole vault
    Corissa Guynes Senior Dove Creek 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles
    Morgan Howard Senior Cheyenne Wells High jump
    Ginger Hutton Junior Shining Mountain 800 meters
    Audrey Rose Kachin Junior Plateau Valley 400 meters
    Rebecca Kaiser Junior Prairie Long jump
    Michaela Keeler Senior Hi-Plains Discus
    Rebekah Rairdon Sophomore Heritage Christian 1600 meters, 3200 meters
    Kirby Vanderpool Senior Granada Triple jump
    Madison Young Senior Dove Creek Shot put
    Kayla Zink Freshman Caliche 100 meters

  • Rocky Mountain rallies to remain in 5A baseball driver’s seat

    Rocky Mountain Cherry Creek baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    DENVER — Rocky Mountain is sitting pretty as the Class 5A state baseball championship series enters its final day.

    The Lobos ran their winning streak to 17 games with a come-from-behind 8-6 victory Friday against Cherry Creek in the first of two 5A games at All-City Field. Rocky Mountain (20-5 record) eliminated the Bruins (19-6) from the tournament. More importantly for the Lobos they stayed undefeated in the double-elimination tournament.

    Rocky Mountain continues its quest for its first state baseball title since its four-peat from 2007 to 2010 at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, back at All-City Field. The Lobos will face Regis Jesuit (21-4). The Raiders would have to defeat Rocky Mountain twice Saturday for Regis to capture its first state baseball title since winning in 2011.

    Rocky Mountain Cherry Creek baseball
    Rocky Mountain junior Garrett Hammer (18) watches his two-run home run clear the fence at All-City Field on Friday in the first inning. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

    If Regis defeats Rocky Mountain in the 10 a.m. game the second game Saturday would start shortly after the conclusion of the morning game.

    “You don’t want to say ‘relaxed,’” Rocky Mountain senior Trevor Thomas said of the Lobos’ mentality being in the driver’s seat. “We are still going to play a really good team. We’ll go out there and play as hard as we can.”

    Thomas got Rocky Mountain’s offense going early against Cherry Creek. The Lobos’ designated hitter had a two-out, two-run single in the first inning to get Rocky Mountain on the board. Junior Garrett Hammer proceeded to follow with a two-run home run, giving the Lobos a 4-0 lead.

    Cherry Creek chipped away and took a 5-4 lead in the top of the fourth inning on a successful squeeze bunt by senior Sean Robinson.

    Bruins junior Cody Wood pitched well after a rough first inning.

    “After that first inning I thought we could just repeat and repeat, but you have to hand it to their pitcher (Wood),” Thomas said. “He settled in. We knew it was going to be a tough game.”

    Rocky Mountain senior Carl Stajduhar got the Lobos’ rally going in the bottom of the fifth inning with a long solo home run to tie the game at 5. Back-to-back singles by senior Tyler Stevens and Thomas put Rocky Mountain in the position to capitalize on a critical throwing error.

    With two outs Nathan Elsheimer ground back to the Cherry Creek pitcher Justin Jeronimus. The senior pitcher ran halfway to first base, but then threw the ball over the Bruins’ first baseman. Rocky Mountain scored two runs on the throwing error to take a 7-5 lead.

    “We got a break right there, but we also had some good at-bats to get into position to take advantage of that break,” Rocky Mountain coach Scott Bullock said.

    Rocky Mountain Cherry Creek baseball
    Cherry Creek shortstop Jack Hallmark, right, waits for a throw to second base as Rocky Mountain senior Trevor Thomas slides into the base Friday at All-City Field. More photos. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Cherry Creek scored a run in the top of the sixth inning, but Rocky Mountain closer Cory Richer recorded the final three outs in the seventh inning to get the save. Junior Chase Ottofy picked up the victory on the mound. Ottofy, who hadn’t pitched in more than a month, took the mound in the fifth inning for starter Marc Bachman.

    “We have a ton of confidence in our pitching depth,” Bullock said. “This is the time of the year when it shines.”

    The Lobos will have Stevens and Stajduhar both ready to pitch Saturday. The two have combined for 11 wins on the mound and both have ERAs under 3.00 this season.

    Stevens gave Rocky Mountain an insurance run Friday going to the seventh inning against Cherry Creek with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.

    “We are just going to try and continue to play good baseball,” Bullock said going into Saturday’s action. “We understand that the only thing we have to do is play team baseball and compete.”

    [divider]

    Regis Jesuit 5, Mountain Vista 1

    It took just one swing of the bat for Regis Jesuit to earn a date with Rocky Mountain on Saturday.

    With Mountain Vista and Regis tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Regis senior Reagan Todd crushed a first-pitch fastball off Mountain Vista ace Nick Leonard in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded. The lefty’s shot sailed over the right field fence for a walk-off grand slam home run.

    “The at-bat before Leonard gave me a first-pitch fastball that I missed,” Todd said after the dramatic 5-1 victory for Regis. “I knew I wouldn’t let it happen again.”

    Todd raced around the bases and was greeted by some overjoyed teammates knowing their hopes for a state championship were still alive.

    Regis Jesuit Mountain Vista baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    Brooks Urich started the seventh-inning rally with two out. Urich tripled to put the winning run on third base. Mountain Vista then intentionally walked Max George and Justin Thaxton to load the bases before the walk-off slam.

    Regis senior lefty David Peterson, who missed six weeks this season with a broken leg, was able to outduel Leonard to keep the Raiders in the tournament. Peterson pitched a complete-game with 10 strikeouts for the win.

    Peterson admitted the plan was he wouldn’t take the mound in the top of the eighth inning if it went extra innings. Leonard had seven strikeouts while giving up just five hits.

  • Photos: State baseball tournaments narrow their fields

    DENVER — The 5A and 4A state baseball tournaments narrowed their fields during action on Friday.

    [divider]

    Rocky Mountain 8, Cherry Creek 6


    [divider]

    Regis Jesuit 5, Mountain Vista 1


    [divider]

    Green Mountain 7, Durango 6


    [divider]

    Longmont 11, Niwot 4

  • Replay: Coverage of the state baseball championships

    A replay of live coverage from the state baseball tournaments as championships were up for grabs in Class 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A on Saturday.

    More:

    [divider]

     

  • Rocky Mountain reaches 5A baseball pinnacle again

    Rocky Mountain Regis Jesuit baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    DENVER — Rocky Mountain staked claim to its fifth Class 5A state baseball title over the past eight seasons Saturday afternoon at All-City Field.

    The Lobos defeated Regis Jesuit 6-5 to give Rocky Mountain its first baseball championship since its four-peat from 2007 to 2010. Rocky Mountain (21-5) closed out its season on an 18-game win streak, including a 5-0 record in the double-elimination state championship series.

    “It feels amazing,” Rocky Mountain coach Scott Bullock said. “I think the thing that makes it feel most amazing is it’s a whole new bunch of kids. Great group of kids that put in a tremendous amount of work to get to this point.”

    Despite grabbing a 6-0 lead with a six-run top of the third inning, the Lobos ended up having to hang on by the skin of their teeth. Regis (21-5) actually had the tying run on third base and winning run on second base with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

    A Raiders’ win would have forced a second game Saturday at All-City with the winner of that game hoisting the state title. However, Rocky Mountain senior pitcher Tyler Stevens dug deep to get the final two outs.

    “Once they got the bases load with two outs and I had two strikes on (Quin Cotton) I knew I had to make a pitch,” said Stevens, who took over on the mound for Rocky Mountain in the fourth inning. “I just threw as hard as I could and got the groundout.”

    Cotton grounded into a fielder’s choice as Lobos’ shortstop Daniel Ciraula was able to field the grounder and toss to second baseman Dean Lawson to get the force out to end the game.

    “I love all my teammates,” a teary-eyed Rocky Mountain senior Carl Stajduhar said after getting a hug from his dad. “To go out senior year like this is just awesome.”

    Rocky Mountain scored all of its six runs in one inning. The Lobos’ bats came alive in a big way in the top of the third inning. The Lobos plated six runs on five hits to jump out to a 6-0 lead.

    Stajduhar started the scoring with a two-run single. Rocky Mountain scored a third run on the hit on a fielding error.

    Rocky Mountain Regis Jesuit baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

    “I knew with the bases loaded and Carl coming up we were going to score. That was huge,” Stevens said. “We just kept plugging and chugging to get our six runs which happened to be enough.”

    Stevens and Kyle Reisman followed up with back-to-back RBI singles to push the lead to 5-0. Regis starting pitcher Brent Schwarz was relieved on the mound by Zach Heath after the single Reisman. The Lobos’ final run in the six-run inning came on a passed ball.

    Regis was able to get on the board with an RBI sacrifice fly by senior Reagan Todd in the bottom half of the third inning. However, Stajduhar was able to limit the damage to just one run thanks to a pair of strikeouts after the Raiders loaded the bases with no outs.

    The Raiders tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning after Stevens relived Stajduhar on the hill. Zach Woodruff led off the inning with a double and scored on a double play ground out, cutting Rocky Mountain’s lead to 6-2.

    Regis continued to chip away at Rocky Mountain’s lead. Todd belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning making it a 6-4 game. Todd ripped a walk-off grand slam home run Friday against Mountain Vista in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Regis a 5-1 victory.

    “When we started getting momentum I even liked our chances better even if we were behind,” Regis coach Matt Darr said. “I felt like we would come back and win that game. I really did.”

    An RBI single by Brooks Urich in the bottom of the sixth inning cut the lead to 6-5, but the Raiders couldn’t plate the tying run. Stevens forced a pop up by Max George and struck out Justin Thaxton with runners at the corners to end the inning.

    Despite scoring five unanswered runs, the Raiders left 11 runners on base and wasn’t able to take full advantage of seven walks.

    Bullock admitted after the victory he didn’t know who would have thrown a second game Saturday if Regis had completed the come-from-behind win. Marc Bachman, Chase Ottofy and Cory Richer pitched in Friday’s win against Cherry Creek.

    “It was rolling the dice. No question about it,” Bullock said about throwing his two best pitchers in Stajduhar and Stevens. “I felt like we did such a good job in the third inning to get the lead. We wanted the ball in Tyler’s hands and it was the time to go to him.”

    Heath’s performance on the mound allowed the Raiders to rally. Heath came in during the Lobos’ six-run third inning and only gave up two hits in four and two-thirds on the hill.

    “In that situation where you fall that far behind you feel like you need somebody to come in and hold them at six (runs),” Darr said. “You feel if they get any more it would be nearly impossible.”

    The nearly impossible comeback by Regis nearly happened, but in the end the Lobos were able to take another state championship baseball title back to Fort Collins.

    “It’s amazing. This program needed it after last year,” Stevens said of losing to ThunderRidge in the title game. “We wanted to do it and we did it finally.”

    Rocky Mountain Regis Jesuit baseball
    More photos. (Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)

  • Photos: Rocky Mountain wins 5A baseball championship

    DENVER — Rocky Mountain claimed the Class 5A baseball title with a 6-5 win over Regis Jesuit on Saturday.

  • Replay: Coverage of state baseball tournaments

    Replay of live coverage from the state baseball tournaments as just four teams remain in Class 5A, 4A and 3A on Friday.

    More:

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  • Rocky Mountain powers past Mountain Vista, takes 5A state baseball driver’s seat

    Rocky Mountain senior Nathan Elsheimer (5) doesn't hold back showing his excitement after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning Saturday afternoon at All-City Field. The Lobos defeated Mountain Vista 17-7 in the final game of the weekend in the double-elimination Class 5A baseball state championship series. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Rocky Mountain senior Nathan Elsheimer (5) doesn’t hold back showing his excitement after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning Saturday afternoon at All-City Field. The Lobos defeated Mountain Vista 17-7 in the final game of the weekend in the double-elimination Class 5A baseball state championship series. (Dennis Pleuss)

    DENVER — Rocky Mountain picked a good time to score a season-high 17 runs Saturday afternoon at All-City Field.

    The Lobos cranked out 17 hits, including grand slam home run by senior Nathan Elsheimer in an eight-run top of the seventh inning, to take a 17-7 victory over Mountain Vista in the final game of the weekend in the Class 5A baseball championship series.

    “We were just trying to finish it off really,” Elsheimer said of Rocky Mountain’s huge seventh inning. “We knew (Cory) Richer was going to shut them down, but it’s nice to get those insurance runs to take the load off the pitcher.”

    Rocky Mountain senior Dean Lawson crosses home plate in the first inning. The Lobos put up a season-high 17 runs in the 17-7 victory against Mountain Vista. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Rocky Mountain senior Dean Lawson crosses home plate in the first inning. The Lobos put up a season-high 17 runs in the 17-7 victory against Mountain Vista. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Rocky Mountain sent 13 batters to the plate in its half of the seventh. Mountain Vista used four different pitchers in the inning before finally recording the third out.

    “When we get going offensively we can do some damage,” said Rocky Mountain coach Scott Bullock, who guided the Lobos to four straight 5A state baseball titles from 2007 to 2010. “We are pretty tough one through nine. There aren’t a lot of holes in our line-up. When we get going it’s exciting to watch.”

    Rocky Mountain junior Cody Richer relieved starter Marc Bachman on the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs. Richer gave up two runs on five hits, but the Golden Eagles couldn’t erase the big deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

    Richer was able to induce a game-ending double play to allow the Lobos to celebrate under a rainbow that formed over All-City Field. The victory guarantees Rocky Mountain — lone undefeated team with a 3-0 record in the championship series — will be playing in the state championship next Saturday, May 24, at All-City.

    “It’s a ton of stress off our backs,” Rocky Mountain senior Nathan Elsheimer said. “We are just going to go into this next week of practice really relaxed, go for the win on Friday and see what happens Saturday.”

    The Lobos’ next game will be noon Friday, May 23, against Cherry Creek at All-City. The Bruins took wins over Chaparral and ThunderRidge on Saturday at Machebeuf High School to advance to the final four.

    “I don’t think we know very much about Creek at this point,” Stajduhar said. “Obviously they are going to be a good team making it to this point. We are going to have to go out and play our best baseball.”

    Rocky Mountain (19-5) did find itself in a hole early against Mountain Vista (20-4). The Golden Eagles batted around in the bottom of the first inning, plating four runs to take a 4-1 lead.

    However, the Lobos quickly answered with a four-run top of the second inning to regain the lead. The big hit was a two-run home run by Elsheimer.

    “To be honest I didn’t think it would be going out,” Elsheimer said. “I rounded first thinking it was just a double. Then I heard everyone behind me cheering. Hitting a home run is the best feeling in the world.”

    Mountain Vista shortstop Jack Strunc shows the ball to the umpire after tagging Rocky Mountain junior Garrett Hammer (18) at second base. Hammer was attempt to stretch a single into a double, but was called out at second base. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Mountain Vista shortstop Jack Strunc shows the ball to the umpire after tagging Rocky Mountain junior Garrett Hammer (18) at second base. Hammer was attempt to stretch a single into a double, but was called out at second base. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Mountain Vista tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI double by senior Jack Strunc. Rocky Mountain answered again. The Lobos took advance of a pair of Golden Eagle error to take a 7-5 lead.

    Rocky Mountain scored another pair of runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 9-5 before the huge eight-run seventh.

    “It’s always a hitter’s day,” Bullock said of the second day of the championship series where teams have likely already had their top two pitchers throw.

    Mountain Vista is far from out of the state championship picture despite the loss Saturday. The Golden Eagles will face Regis Jesuit in an elimination game at 2:30 p.m. May 23, at All-City. The Raiders took victories over Fairview and Chatfield earlier in the day at All-City to stay in the tournament.

    “Playoff baseball is fun. Especially when you are playing teams like Rocky, Creek and Regis,” Mountain Vista coach Ron Quintana said. “Those are good programs and normally here in the final four. You have to be able to come in here and compete with them.”

    Mountain Vista will lean on starting pitchers Will Dixon and Nick Leonard next week in the hopes to get another shot against Rocky Mountain in the championship game.

    Rocky Mountain senior Marc Bachman fires to the plate in the first inning Saturday against Mountain Vista. Bachman picked up the victory on the mound as the Lobos went 3-0 in the first week of the state championship series. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Rocky Mountain senior Marc Bachman fires to the plate in the first inning Saturday against Mountain Vista. Bachman picked up the victory on the mound as the Lobos went 3-0 in the first week of the state championship series. (Dennis Pleuss)