Class 3A Regional Tournament Predictions and Breakdown
Regional Bracket
Region 1 (Lamar host)
#1 Lamar vs #4 DSST-Stapleton
Lamar enters the 3A Regional Tournament as the #1 overall seed and a very impressive run this regular season. Lamar went 18-1 this season with their only lose coming to La Junta. Lamar has 10 wins on teams playing in Regional or District Tournaments. Lamar biggest win of the season was on #2 seed University. Lamar qualified for the State Tournament last year, they went 0-2 last year in the State Tournament. DSST-Stapleton comes into the contest as the 32nd seed and 10-8 overall. DSST-Stapleton finished 3rd in the Frontier league coming up short against The Academy on 5/7. DSST-Stapleton is making a return trip to Regionals where they lost to Bayfield last year.
#2 Jefferson Academy vs #3 The Academy
The #16 vs #17 matchup is always one of the better games. These two teams just played each other on 5/8 and Jefferson Academy came away victorious 13-3. The Academy is the 17th seed and went 14-5 during the regular season. The Academy qualified for Regionals last year and they lost to Faith Christian in the first round. This year they face another Metro team in the First round. Jefferson Academy went 13-6 in the Metro league and are on a 6-game winning streak. Jefferson Academy has played well at times but also has some big losses. Jefferson Academy biggest win was over Lutheran on 4/10. Jefferson Academy is improved from last year but also lost in the first round of Regionals last year.
My Predictions
Lamar over DSST-Stapleton (by 10), Jefferson Academy over The Academy (by 5), and Lamar over Jefferson Academy (by 10). Lamar would advance into the State Bracket as the #1 seed.
Region 2 (Bennett host)
#1 Bennett vs #4 Brush
Region 2 has some very good teams and I think anything can happen in this region. Bennett comes into the Regional bracket winning the Frontier League. Bennett beat The Academy to clinch the League title and the right to host a regional. Bennett went 12-5 on the year with their biggest win against The Academy and they did play Valley to a 1 point lose. Bennett last year was 15-5 and advanced to the Regional finals where they lost to Colorado Academy 10-0. Bennett is on a 4-game winning streak but will be tested right off the bat by Brush. Brush had a tough season this year going 8-11 but did enough to qualify as the #25 seed to Regionals. Brush came up with two huge wins to close the year beating Valley 3-0 and Resurrection Christian 6-4. Brush has the potential to pull an upset and Brush also has plenty of experience with playing in the playoffs. Brush last year went 11-10 and like Bennett lost in the Regional Finals to Peak to Peak 13-3.
#2 La Junta vs #3 Lutheran
La Junta comes in as the #9 seed, but the committee didn’t do them any favors as they play a very tough team right off the bat. La Junta went 13-5 on the season with big wins against Valley, Lamar, and Rocky Ford. La Junta finished 3rd in the Tri-Peaks league after they beat Florence in the crossover game. La Junta has proven they can hang with top teams in the state. La Junta last year qualified for the State tournament. La Junta went 1-2 in the state tournament falling to Eaton 8-2. Lutheran has been one of the hardest teams to judge all year. Lutheran has some very big wins over Faith Christian, Kent Denver, Peak to Peak, and Colorado Academy. Lutheran RPI was hurt by playing an out of state tournament. Lutheran did have some interesting loses to Machebeuf and Jefferson Academy which cost them a shot at a League Title. Lutheran has the potential like La Junta to win the regional and this game should be very good. Lutheran went 18-3 last year but failed to qualify for the state tournament falling to Eaton 12-7 in the Regional Finals.
My Predictions
Bennett over Brush (By 1), La Junta over Lutheran (by 2), and La Junta over Bennett (by 10). La Junta qualifies to the State tournament as the #9 seed.
Region 3 (Sterling host)
#1 Sterling vs #4 Kent Denver
Sterling made a very impressive late season run to clinch a regional host. Sterling has won 7 straight games and their last lose came on 4/19 to Valley. Sterling finished 4th in the Patriot league. Sterling went 15-4 during the Regular season including big wins against Sedgwick County, Brush, Eaton, Resurrection Christian, Valley, University, and Peak to Peak. When Sterling is playing their best baseball are very tough to beat and the 7-game winning streak showcases that. Sterling last year went 12-9 falling to Lamar in the Regional Finals. Kent Denver had a season of two halves and went 9-9 in the process. Kent Denver started the season winning 5 of their first 6 games before jumping into league play. In League Kent Denver went 4-7 and finishing 7th in the Metro League. Kent Denver is hoping to play like they did at the beginning of the season. Kent Denver last year went 8-12 and lost in the first round of regionals to University.
#2 Cedaredge vs #3 Valley
In one of the more interesting first round matchups we have Cedaredge facing off against Valley. Both teams are normally traditional powers and meet up in the first round. Cedaredge went 15-4 this season finishing second in the Western Slope League. Cedaredge biggest win is against Aspen and that has been Cedaredge biggest knock is lack of strength of schedule. Cedaredge is on a 7-game winning streak but their biggest wins during that streak were Roaring Fork and Aspen. Cedaredge last year went 14-6 falling in the first round of Regionals to Sterling. Cedaredge will be test right away by Valley and will need to play their best game of the year. Valley is last years defending State Champions but lost some very talented players. Valley went 10-9 during the regular season but played one of the toughest schedules in 3A. Valley has solid wins over Sterling, Bennett, and The Academy. Valley did break a 4-game losing streak beating Platte Valley on 5/7. Valley will need to play their best game if they want to advance to the Regional Finals. Valley will be the favorite to win their first-round game and then it comes down to a rematch of a league game.
My Predictions
Sterling over Kent Denver (by 5), Valley over Cedaredge (by 3), and Sterling over Valley (By 2). Sterling qualified for the State Tournament as the #4 seed.
Region 4 (Faith Christian host)
#1 Faith Christian vs #4 Bayfield
Two traditional power square off in the first round of Regionals. Faith Christian finished 16-3 on the season and won the Metro League. Faith Christian has solid wins against Lutheran, Peak to Peak, Jefferson Academy, and Machebeuf. Faith Christian did lose 2 of their last 4 games picking up good loses to Colorado Academy and Eaton. Faith Christian advanced to the State Tournament going 2-2 and finishing 5th at state. Bayfield had a tough season this year going 10-9 and finishing second in the Intermountain League. Bayfield is on a bit of a losing streak losing 4 of their final 6 games. Bayfield best win of the season was against Pagosa Springs. Bayfield will be hoping the shock the world in the first round. Bayfield went 15-6 last year losing in the Regional finals to Salida.
#2 Resurrection Christian vs #3 Machebeuf
Resurrection Christian came out of nowhere to finish 3rd in the Patriot league. Resurrection Christian won 5 of their final 7 games but ended the season on a sour note losing to Brush and Eaton. Resurrection Christian will have their hands full in the first game and will need to play two very good games to advance to the state tournament. Resurrection Christian has solid wins over Valley, Front Range Christian, and Sterling. Resurrection Christian is hoping to advance out of the first round where they fell last year to Salida 8-4. Machebeuf had a very interesting season going 10-8. Machebeuf had the habit of upsetting a solid team like Lutheran then losing back to back games. Machebeuf biggest wins of the season are against Lutheran and DSST-Stapleton. Machebeuf will have to put together a very solid game to pull the upset in the first round. Machebeuf went 11-9 last year and lost in the first round of Regionals to Bennett.
My Predictions
Faith Christian over Bayfield (by 5), Resurrection Christian over Machebeuf (by 3), and Faith Christian over Resurrection Christian (by 6). Faith Christian advances to the State Tournament as the #5 seed.
Region 5 (University Host)
#1 University vs #4 Basalt
University received a solid draw for their Region. University played impressive this year going 17-2 with their two losses coming to Lamar and Sterling. University has plenty of good wins over Peak to Peak, Weld Central, Valley, The Academy, Highland, La Junta, Resurrection Christian, and Eaton. University won the Patriot League holding off Eaton for the Top spot. University will need to keep getting solid pitching performances if they want a shot at a state championship. University improved their record from last year. University is hoping to qualify for State this year after losing to Faith Christian in the Regional Finals last year. Basalt comes in as the #31 seed and must make the very long treck to Greeley. Basalt went 10-7 this year and finished 4th in the Western Slope League. Basalt could be a tough team for University as they did sweep Cedaredge this season but had to forfeit the win. Basalt ace will have to pitch his best game this season. Last year Basalt went 9-9 and didn’t qualify for Regionals.
#2 Buena Vista vs #3 Rye
Two teams from the split Tri-Peak meet up in the first round. Buena Vista plays in the Tri-Peaks West and Rye plays in the Tri-Peaks East which is how they are able to play in the first round. Buena Vista finished second in the combined Tri-Peaks falling to Lamar in the Championship. Buena Vista did not help themselves out though with seeding falling to Gunnison in a make up game 9-7. Buena Vista seems to run into problems in game #2 and it will be interesting to see how Buena Vista will pitch this game. Buena Vista has solid wins over Kent Denver, Swink, Evangelical Christian, and Kent Denver. Buena Vista last year went 12-8 and lost in the first round of Regionals to Colorado Academy. Rye a traditional power comes into the playoffs at 12-7. They had a tough time against top teams losing to La Junta by 5+ runs and Lamar by 7+ runs. Rye also lost a tough game to Swink and St. Mary’s. Rye did end the year on a two-game winning streak and are hoping to have some momentum. Last year Rye went 10-9 and lost in the first round to Delta. These two teams have also played each other but was the first game of the season Buena Vista came away victorious 9-8.
My Predictions
University over Basalt (by 10), Buena Vista over Rye (by 3), and University over Buena Vista (by 8). University enters the State Tournament as the #2 seed.
Region 6 (Delta host)
#1 Delta vs #4 Centauri
Delta is battle tested and ready to go in Region 6. This is going to be a very tough region for whoever comes out of it as there are 2 very good teams. Delta comes into Regionals as 13-6. Delta lost 5 of those 6 games in the month of March and Delta played a brutal March schedule. Delta has good loses to Paonia, Erie, Montrose, Roosevelt, and Paonia. Delta also has good wins against Niwot, Grand Junctions, Basalt, Aspen, and Cedaredge. Delta was perfect in league going 9-0 and cruising through their league schedule. Delta is hoping the tough march will have them ready for the Regional Tournament. Delta last year lost in the Reginal Finals to Valley and are hoping to qualify for state this year. Centauri comes into regionals at 10-9 and finishing 4th in the Intermountain League. Centauri pulled a nice upset win over Bayfield to help them get into Regionals. Centauri has good wins against Sargent, Center, and Bayfield. Centauri does have some solid momentum winning 4 of their final 6 games. Centauri last year qualified for Regionals losing to Lamar in the first round 30-1.
#2 Colorado Academy vs #3 Platte Valley
Colorado Academy enters the Regional tournament at 16-3 and riding an 8-game winning streak. Colorado Academy seems to have found the right ingredients picking up wins against Jefferson Academy, Faith Christian, Peak to Peak, and Machebeuf during the 8-game winning streak. Colorado Academy finished second in the Metro League and are hoping to continue the momentum. Colorado Academy finished 3rd in the state tournament last year and have plenty of experience of getting into the State tournament. Platte Valley limps into regionals finishing 7th in the Patriot League. Platte Valley started the year 7-2 before going 2-8 in their final 10 games. Platte Valley did win 2 of their final 3 games but were against the bottom teams of the Patriot League. Platte Valley will need to find the spark they had at the beginning of the year. Platte Valley last year went 9-11 and lost in the first round of regionals to Peak to Peak.
My Predictions
Delta over Centauri (by 10), Colorado Academy over Platte Valley (by 12), and Colorado Academy over Delta (by 1). This will probably be one of the best games in the Regional Finals!
Region 7 (Eaton host)
#1 Eaton vs #4 Fort Lupton
Eaton enters Regionals as the #3 seed and they got a very good draw for themselves as well. Eaton finished second in the Patriot league at 8-1 and went 15-3 overall. All 3 of Eaton’s losses are to solid teams: Fort Morgan, Sterling, and University. They have plenty of solid wins as well and seem to be playing their best baseball of the season. Eaton is riding a 12-game winning streak and the biggest win of that streak is over Faith Christian. Eaton will need to continue playing solid baseball. Last year Eaton was the runner up falling to Valley in the State Championship. Eaton is hoping to make another run towards that this year. Fort Lupton comes into regionals finishing second in the Colorado 7 league which gave them an automatic seed. Fort Lupton limps into Regionals after only winning 1 of their final 5 games. Fort Lupton until the final 5 games looked solid and are hoping to regain that form. Their first-round game will be an extremely tough game and we will have to see if their pitching can hold up. Fort Lupton best win was over Conifer and Weld Central. Fort Lupton has shown big improvements from last year where they finished 10-9 and didn’t qualify for Regionals.
#2 Pagosa Springs vs #3 Aspen
Pagosa Springs comes into regionals finishing third in the Intermountain League and have been playing better and better as the year has gone on. Pagosa Springs is 14-5 coming into regionals. Pagosa Springs has solid wins against Salida, Center, Sargent, Centauri, and Mitchell. Pagosa Springs is riding an 8-game winning streak, but their success will be dependent upon their pitching. Pagosa Springs has given up quite a few runs this year so if their pitching staff can come together they could be a tough out for any team. Pagosa Springs probably had one of the biggest turn arounds in 3A as well. Pagosa Springs was 6-12 last year and finished in near last place in the Intermountain League. Pagosa Springs must take advantage of their opportunity. Aspen comes into Regionals at 15-4 and finished 3rd in the Western Slope League. Aspen played well against the bottom teams of league but came up short against Delta and Cedaredge. Aspen is on a 4 game winnings streak and will be hoping to extend the streak. Aspen best win was over Basalt and Moffat County. Aspen will be looking to prove they can hang in the postseason. Like Pagosa Springs, Aspen had a big turn around as well. Aspen was 7-12 last year and made a big turn around this year.
My Predictions
Eaton over Fort Lupton (by 10), Pagosa Springs over Aspen (by 4), and Eaton over Pagosa Springs (by 10). Eaton will enter the State tournament as the #3 seed.
Region 8 (Alamosa host)
#1 Alamosa vs #4 St. Mary’s
Region 8 will be one of the more difficult Regions with 4 teams who can all surprise each other. Alamosa had a very successful year only losing 1 game to a team from the State of Colorado. Alamosa took a trip to Arizona and lost 3 games but gained very valuable experience. Alamosa other lose was to Lamar by only 6 runs. Alamosa enter the postseason with a 15-4 record and of course undefeated in league. Alamosa signature wins are over Pagosa Springs, Centauri, Bayfield, and Buena Vista. Alamosa has not lost a game since March and are hoping to continue the hot streak into the postseason. Alamosa last year was 13-6 and lost in the first round of Regionals to Valley 12-2. That game was also a big learning curve for this Alamosa team. Alamosa first round game is not an easy one as St. Mary’s has surprised quite a few teams this year and Alamosa will need to play a very solid game. St. Mary’s enter regionals at 8-11 and are one of those teams that can surprise you. St. Mary’s has wins over La Junta, Rye, Salida, and Swink. St. Mary’s finished 4th in the Tri-Peaks after beating Salida in the crossover game. St. Mary’s will demand teams to take the serious or could upset a team. St. Mary’s last year as 13-7 and lost in the first round of regionals to Brush.
#2 Peak to Peak vs #3 Weld Central
Peak to Peak has been somewhat of a mystery team this year. They have a lot of good close wins but closed the year losing 3 of their final 4 games. Peak to Peak did finish 3rd in the Metro league which is no small feat. Peak to Peak has signature wins over Machebeuf, Kent Denver, Jefferson Academy, and Dawson School. Peak to Peak will be the favorite in their first-round game and their experience playing in the tough metro league will help them in the regional finals. Last year Peak to Peak went 17-6 and qualified for that state tournament, they went 1-2 in the state tournament. Peak to Peak will have to play solid in their first-round game to avoid the upset. Weld Central enters regionals at 12-7 and finishing 3rd in the Colorado 7 league. Weld Central played well down the stretch winning 5 of their last 7 games. Weld Central has quality wins over Conifer, Fort Lupton, and Platte Valley. Weld Central will have to play their best two games of baseball of the season if they plan to make it to the state tournament. Weld Central did not play well their final two games of the season losing by 7 to Fort Morgan and 13 to Conifer. Last year Weld Central went 13-7 and qualified for Regionals. Weld Central was eliminated by La Junta in the Regionals finals but gained valuable experience from the game.
My Predictions
Alamosa over St. Mary’s (by 3), Peak to Peak over Weld Central (by 4), and Alamosa over Peak to Peak (by 1). Probably the second-best game of the Regional tournament. Alamosa will enter the State tournament as the #6 seed.
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