Boulder High School and its senior pitcher, Doug Holleman, are two of the biggest turnaround stories early this spring.

The staff ace hasn’t allowed an earned run in two outings this season, helping lead the four-win team from 2023 to a 3-1 start.

In his latest, against crosstown rival Fairview Thursday, he allowed two unearned runs across five innings to keep his ERA clean in a 4-2 win. Last year, his ERA was 7.49 across 33 2/3 frames.

In our first look-in on baseball, let’s take a trip across Class 5A and 4A to focus on some of the best starts to the season on the mound.

Class 5A

Brayden Reiner, Arvada West: The sophomore (2-0) hasn’t allowed a run over nine innings on the hill this season.

He hasn’t been untouchable, but has worked effectively around 14 baserunners, striking out eight and walking one.

He’s thrown the most innings of any pitcher with no runs allowed in 5A this spring.

His team, the Wildcats (4-2), won four straight before losing to Fort Collins and Fossil Ridge late last week.

Christian Ramirez, Adams City: The sophomore is tied for the state lead in strikeouts with 36.

In 25 frames, Ramirez is averaging 10.1 Ks per seven innings to go along with a 1.96 ERA. He opened the year with 11 Ks in a 9-2 win over Rangeview on March 9.

Then most recently, he threw seven strong frames in a 10-4 win over Wheat Ridge Saturday, fanning eight.

He’s led the Eagles to a 4-2 start.

Favi Gaeta, Prairie View: The junior southpaw (3-1) is off to a nice start, allowing just two runs — one earned — over 18 innings.

As a sophomore, Gaeta had a 0.96 ERA in 36 1/3 innings. But this year, he’s been even better, currently touting a 0.39 mark.

He’s struck out 29 batters and walked one.

The Thunderhawks are 6-2.

Class 4A

Logan Rockhold, Sand Creek: The junior southpaw has 36 strikeouts, tied for the state lead with Adams City’s Christian Ramirez.

Rockhold (2-0) has fanned 36 of the 75 batters he’s faced this spring, touting a 0.78 ERA through 18 innings.

He followed up a 17-K performance against George Washington March 12 with 10 Ks in a 3-1 win over Rampart Friday.

The Scorpions are 3-3.

Jonathan Gonzales, Pueblo County: Coming into the week, the senior was one of just two pitchers in the state who’ve gone double-digit innings without giving up a run.

Through 11 frames, Gonzales (2-0) has allowed six hits, while striking out 10 and walking three.

He went six innings Wednesday, allowing just three hits in a 10-1 win over Fountain-Fort Carson.

The Hornets are 3-1.

Braeden McCarroll, Golden: The senior (2-0) hasn’t allowed a run through 11 innings, joining Pueblo County’s Gonzales as the state’s only pitchers who’ve thrown double-digit innings without letting up a run.

The 6-foot-3 righty opened the year March 12, allowing one hit across six innings in an 8-0 win over Summit.

He’s allowed three hits, eight walks and has punched out 19 in his two appearances on the mound.

The Demons, who lost to Severance in the 4A championship last season, are 4-0.