Berthoud baseball among bubble teams fighting for a postseason spot

The 2025 year seems to be flying by and the same can be said for the prep baseball season for teams in the Class 3A, 2A and 1A ranks.

The calendar has flipped to May and now the contenders and separating from the pretenders when it comes to which teams will make the postseason season.

Well, there’s no pretending how good some teams and players are doing and here’s a sample of some teams and players shining in the spotlight.

BERTHOUD TRYING TO STAY IN 3A PLAYOFF MIX: Regionals are fast-approaching in 3A – May 16-17 – to be exact.

In 3A, 32 teams qualify for the regional tournament based on RPI/MaxPreps.com rankings. League Champions not in the top 32 will receive an automatic qualifying position (minimum 5 teams in a league for automatic berth). The eight teams with the highest RPI/MaxPreps.com rankings host regionals, the remaining 24 teams will then be seeded by RPI/MaxPreps.com.

That brings us to Berthoud. The Spartans have had an up and down season posting an 8-9 record, which has them sitting at No. 31 in the rankings. Berthoud will try and improve its plight when it entertains Resurrection Christian (12-5) at 4 p.m., Friday.

Berthoud is riding a two-game winning streak after sweeping Greeley Central. Following its game against Resurrection the Spartans will have a doubleheader against Mountain View (7-11) Saturday and Monday.

Berthoud is led offensively by Caleb Lettieri with a .429 average, followed by Wyatt Barmes (.340) and Elisha Mosher (.314). Barmes is the team’s top pitcher with a 3-2 record with a 1.91 ERA.

MANUAL TRYING TO STAY IN POSTSEASON CONVERSATION: On April 30, Manual is on the outside looking in sitting in the No. 34 in 2A rankings with a 9-7 record.

Just like in 3A, in 2A, 32 teams qualify for the regional tournament based on RPI/MaxPreps.com rankings. So, now is the time for 2A teams to make a push to be playing in regionals May 16-17.

Manual is coming off a 10-1 loss to Lincoln on Wednesday and the Thunderbolts must bounce back in a hurry when they entertain Jefferson (4-10) at 4 p.m., Thursday and then host Kennedy (10-8) at 4:15 p.m. Friday.

Manual’s top hitter is Edgar Salas (.535); Jesus Marquez (.405) and Mason Gott (.348). On the mound, Leo Zimmerman has a team-best 0.71 ERA in seven appearances.

1A DISTRICTS ARE UNDERWAY: The 1A baseball season is closing fast. The 16-team regional tournament is underway. Each district qualifies its top two finishers in each district to regionals.

The next six teams in the RPI/MaxPreps.com rankings also make regionals.

Haxtun (14-4) is the top team in the 1A RPI rankings. Akron (15-4), Eads (16-0), Merino (15-5) and Flatirons Academy (13-5).

Eads will try and keep its unbeaten season going when it takes on McClave (11-7) at 10 a.m. Saturday in the semifinals in District 4 in Las Animas. The victor of this game meets the winner of the Cheyenne Wells (9-6) and Holly (13-6) in the other semifinal in the 3 p.m. championship game Saturday.

Eads, which is coming off a 21-0 win over Manzanola on Tuesday and swept McClave in a doubleheader on April 25 – 2-0 and 11-2. Eads is fueled by Spencer Uhland (.550) and Adyn Hough (.449) and Stockton Mitchek (.447). McClave counters with Lawton Annen (.535) and Drew Howe (.458).

Class 3A

Liberty Common (7-10) at Fort Morgan (10-9), 4 p.m., Friday

Liberty Common is sitting No. 26 in the latest RPI rankings and needs a win and Fort Morgan (10-9) could give Liberty the boost it needs. Fort Morgan is No. 26 in the 4A RPI chart.

Liberty Common is reeling after back-to-back losses to Resurrection Christian (7-5 in 8 innings) and Peak to Peak (15-0).

LC’s Bryson Weibler (.481) and Raphael McDanald (.388) set the pace offensively. Roman Galindo has been a workhorse on the mound for LC, sporting a 2-2 record in 10 appearances and 3.95 ERA. Fort Morgan will answer with Cooper Chisum (.389), Chase Prouty (.386) and the Mustangs top pitcher is Chisum, who has thrown 38 innings and is sporting a 5-2 record.

Class 2A

Sanford (7-5) at Ignacio (12-4), 11 a.m., Saturday (DH)

Sanford needs to make a move as the Indians are No. 36 in the 2A rankings and this doubleheader with Ignacio is the perfect opportunity. Sanford is coming off a 15-5 win over Sierra Grande (5-7) Wednesday.

Sanford has a powerful offense led by Rylen Mortensen (.605), Kendall Christensen (.545) and JD Faucette (.480). Ignacio is coming off a 6-2 loss to Bayfield on Tuesday and will meet Cedaredge (15-2) at 2 p.m., Thursday. With the games in front of them, the Bobcats have a chance to be a mover and shaker in the 2A RPI rankings. They need their top players to rise up and make a difference.

Class 1A

Elbert (6-7) at Evangel Christian Academy (8-7), 12:30 p.m., Saturday

In this 1A District 2 semifinal game, Elbert and ECA will do battle. The winner will get the victor between Simla (12-4) at Kiowa (10-7) in the 3 p.m. championship game Saturday.

Elbert won a slugfest 16-15 over Cripple Creek-Victor (2-10) on Tuesday. Elbert has won four of its last five games and is led by Steven Smith (.625), and Grant Smith (.378). ECA clubbed Cotopaxi (14-0 and 12-0) Wednesday and want to keep things rolling. The Eagles, who have won three of their last four games, are paced offensively by Levi Alexander (.523) and Anderson Schultz (.512).