Spring break is over now high school students – the seniors – are eyeing graduation and prep baseball players are in the midst of a spring season that is heating up.
The top teams in Class 3A, 2A and 1A are no surprise. Eaton (9-1) is No. 1 in the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index in 3A, while Monte Vista (10-0) is tops in 2A and Flatirons Academy (9-0) remains No. 1 in 1A.
However, to keep things interesting – especially at this point in the season – some teams definitely to look out for are squads like Prospect Ridge Academy (6-3), Liberty Common (5-3), and Woodland Park (10-0), which are No. 4 through 6 in 3A.
The 2A and 1A teams in the No. 4 through No. 6 spots in the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index are Yuma (5-3), Dayspring Christian Academy (6-2), and Las Animas (8-2) and Akron (5-2), Merino (7-4) and Eads (7-0).
This week there are plenty of games worth watching – here are some to digest.
Class 3A
Falcon (11-1) at Elizabeth (5-4), 3:30 p.m., April 9
This is an intriguing match-up. Falcon is having a strong season as it is No. 4 in the Seeding in 4A. The Falcons began the season with a 10-game winning streak. That streak was snapped with an 8-5 loss to Ponderosa on April 4. The Falcons bounced back with a 6-1 win over Elizabeth on April 7.
Falcon is paced offensively by Aaron Jaquez (.622); Talan Chubb (.545); and Ethan Gentz (.533). Elizabeth is No. 9 in the Class 3A seeding index and if can get redemption against Falcon it will help it move up some spots.
If the Cardinals get the win, it will need a big game from Walker Blanchard (.500), Carter Jones (.409), and Cash Buron (.400).
Class 2A
Stratton (6-1) at Limon (4-2), 4:30 p.m., April 9
Stratton is in a great spot to move up the Seeding Index from No. 9 in 1A, with a win against perennial power Limon. Stratton has won four games in a row, including most recently a doubleheader sweep of Holly (14-2 and 21-6) on April 7.
Stratton’s top hitter is Dawson Brent (.714), Trevor Moore (.571) and Nolan Notter (.533).
Limon is riding a three-game winning streak and is fueled by offensive stalwarts Riley Davis (.500); Quinten Blatnick (.500) and Camdyn Tacha (.500). Limon is No. 7 in the Class 2A Seeding Index.
Class 1A
Otis (8-4) at Kiowa (7-3), 4 p.m., April 9
This game will move the needle a little bit this week in the 1A Seeding Index. Otis is No. 8 in the Seeding Index, while Kiowa is No. 11.
Otis has won two games in a row over Briggsdale (16-1) and Weldon Valley (15-0). The Bulldogs are powered by Gavin Price (.628), Austin Hornung (.583) and Emiliano Varela (.469).
Kiowa lost to Evangel Christian Academy (11-1) but bounced back to win a slugfest over Elbert (24-10) on April 7.
The Indians’ top hitters are Caden Watt (.571), Rowan Golden (.533) and Colby Current (.467).