Class 1A Baseball Regional Predictions and Breakdown
#1 Cornerstone Christian vs #8 Nucla
The Final 8 brackets is set and we have very solid teams and should be competitive. Quarterfinals and Semifinals are this weekend May 12th with the State Championship on May 17th. Cornerstone Christian comes in as the #1 overall seed and probably playing the best baseball right now. Cornerstone Christian comes in at 16-2. Cornerstone Christian 2 losses are too Peak to Peak (3A) and Skyview (4A). No 1A team has been able to hang with Cornerstone Christian so far and will be interesting to see if someone can keep their offense in check. Cornerstone Christian has plenty of quality wins they are: Highland, Otis, Dawson School, and Longmont Christian. Cornerstone Christian won’t have an easy first game either as Nucla is starting to play better baseball and their record is not as good due to playing a 2A league schedule. Last year Cornerstone Christian went 7-7 and this year turn around has been amazing. We will see if they can finish off a good year. Nucla enters regionals with a 9-10 record. Nucla record is very misleading as they played a very tough schedule and should have them ready for Regionals. Nucla has quality wins over Meeker, Dove Creek, Ignacio, and Cotopaxi. We will see if their tough schedule prepared them for this game. Nucla won the District 1 tournament over Dove Creek and now have some momentum heading forward. Nucla also is not unfamiliar with being a high seed an making a run for a state championship. Last year Nucla came in as the #7 seed and had a very impressive run to win a State Championship. Nucla may be a dark horse for a state Championship. I will post my full prediction at the end of the article and in a separate article tomorrow.
#4 Peetz vs # 5 Stratton/Liberty
The #4 vs #5 matchup usually produces some of the best games in the first round and I expect it in this game. Peetz enters the regional tournament at 9-4 and finishing second in District 4 falling to Caliche 9-4 in the championship. Peetz has played well this year splitting with Otis during the regular season and winning 4 of their 5 final games to lock up a spot in the Top 8 RPI. Peetz will need quality pitching to beat a very good Stratton/Liberty team and may also need some clutch plays like they had against Prairie in the first round of the District tournament. Last year Peetz was 9-1 and lost to Fleming in the District tournament. Peetz is happy to be in the Regional tournament this year and looking to make a solid run. Stratton/Liberty enters regionals at 8-4 overall and they finished 3rd in the District 2 tournament. Stratton/Liberty before the District tournament was 6 game winning streak before losing to Longmont Christian in the first round of Districts. Stratton/Liberty made sure to lock up a spot in the Top 8 by beating Elbert in the 3rd place game. Stratton/Liberty has quality wins over Cheyenne Wells and Fleming. Stratton/Liberty must find their early success and could pull the upset of Peetz. Last year Stratton/Liberty 7-6 and lost in the first round of the Regional bracket to Cheyenne Wells. Stratton/Liberty has some good experience now heading into the tournament.
#3 Otis vs #6 Longmont Christian
Most upsets happen in the #3 vs #6 and Otis will be on upset alert here. Otis enters the Regional bracket going 13-4. Otis was the #2 seed heading into District they beat Weldon Valley before falling to Caliche in the Semifinals. Otis played a tough schedule this year beating Stratton/Liberty, Fleming, Akron, and Peetz. Otis also played Cornerstone Christian and fell 10-0 but good experience in the game. Otis will be looking to avoid the upset in the first round and it may come down to how well can they hit against Longmont Christian. Last year Otis went 9-8 and lost in the District Tournament Championship to Caliche 8-3. Otis is hoping to make a run in the state tournament. Longmont Christian enters regionals at 8-7 overall and was the #3 seed in District 2. Longmont Christian had a solid upset win over Stratton/Liberty before falling to Cornerstone Christian in the finals. Longmont Christian played a tough schedule against 2A teams losing to most by 10+ runs but solid experience is gained from playing tough teams. Longmont Christian biggest win this year came against Stratton/Liberty. Longmont Christian has made a complete 360 from last year to this year. Last year Longmont Christian went 1-16 and this year are in Regionals and looking to pull a huge upset in the first round.
#2 Holly vs #7 Caliche
In what I think will be the best game in the First round we have #2 Holly vs #7 Caliche. Holly enters the year at 11-5 after picking up 2 forfeit losses. Holly real record is 13-3. Holly 3 losses on the field came to Lamar (3A), Rocky Ford (2A), and Burlington (2A). Holly has not lost a game to a 1A opponent this year but have been challenged along the way. Holly had their hands full with Cheyenne Wells in the quarterfinals of District pulling away in the 6th inning to win 12-2. Holly did play much better against Eads in the District Championship. Holly has some very solid wins this year over Monte Vista, Crowley County, Manzanola, County Line, Fowler, and Eads. Holly last year was the runner up losing to Nucla in the State Championship. They will have the drive to try and reach the state championship again but standing in their way is a red-hot Caliche team. Caliche enter regionals at 13-9 but played in the 2A District 2 league and that is not an easy league to play in. Caliche will be battle test for any type of game just like Holly will be. Caliche won the District 3 tournament beating Briggsdale, Otis, and Peetz to capture the title. Caliche has signature wins over Peetz, Holyoke, Wray, Fleming, Otis, and Peetz. Caliche also proved they can play with anyone falling 1 run short against Sedgwick County twice on 4/28. Caliche last year was 8-14 finishing 3rd in the District tournament but their RPI was not high enough to qualify for Regionals. This year they are looking to make a run for a state championship. I do honestly believe this will be one of the best games of the entire 1A State Bracket!
My Predictions
1st Round
#1 Cornerstone Christian over #8 Nucla (by 3)
#5 Stratton/Liberty over Peetz (by 1)
#3 Otis over #6 Longmont Christian (by 2)
#7 Caliche over #2 Holly (by 2)
Semifinals
#1 Cornerstone Christian over #5 Stratton/Liberty (by 2)
#7 Caliche over #2 Otis (by 8)
State Championship
#7 Caliche over #1 Cornerstone Christian (by 2)
MileHigh Prep Report 