Class 3A Baseball State Tournament Breakdown and Predictions

UniversityatEatonBaseball-GDT-040318-1-1 — University vs Eaton

Class 3A Tournament has been moved from May 18-19 to May 21-22 for the Opening rounds of the State Tournament!!!!

Class 3A Baseball State Tournament Breakdown and Predictions

The Class 3A State tournament bracket is double elimination and has a solid field of teams. I will look more at how teams got to the Elite 8 and then do my predictions at the end.

#1 Lamar vs #8 Lutheran @10:00am at Butch Butler

Lamar came into the regional tournament as the #1 overall seed and was playing solid baseball all year. Lamar cruised by round 1 opponent DSST-Stapleton winning 11-0. Lamar threw senior Davin Jacobs in the first game and he threw 3 innings, giving up 1 hit, striking out 3 and throwing just 44 pitches. Freshman Kevin Pearson and Jaime Vazquez both threw an inning a piece to get Lamar to the finish line. As a team Lamar batted .450 in the game. In Game #2 things were much more difficult for Lamar. Lamar faced off against Jefferson Academy. Lamar decided to start their #2 in the Colton Eberhardt and he was hit very hard. Eberhardt threw .1 of an inning and gave up 1 hit, 6 runs, 4 walks, and struck out 1. Lucas Watson was brought in to finish the 1^st inning giving up 2 hits, 1 run, and striking out 2. Lamar was trailing 7-2 after the first inning. Lamar put their ace Senior Dalton Chandler in the game and things changed quickly for Lamar. Lamar kept chipping into the lead scoring 3 in the 3rd, and 1 in the 4^th and 5^th inning to tie the game up at 7 entering the 6^th inning. Both teams on offense went scoreless in the 6^th and 7^th innings and we went to extra innings. Lamar was able to punch a run across in the 8^th inning to win the game 8-7. Senior Dalton Chandler pitched the final 7 innings for Lamar giving up 0 hits, 3 walks, striking out 15, and threw 103 pitches. This game raised some concerns at pitching and if Lamar has the depth to make a run in the state championship. We know their ace is very good but can their #2 through #5 carry their weight.

Lutheran entered Regionals at 10-8-1 after playing a difficult schedule. Their RPI was low due to the difficult schedule but they were playoff ready. Lutheran in the first round had a very tough matchup against La Junta. Lutheran jumped out to a 2 to 0 lead after the 3^rd inning. Things looked good going forward scoring 3 in the 5^th to go up 5 to 0. La Junta battles finally came alive scoring 7 in the 6^th inning and taking the 7 to 5 lead into the 7^th inning. Lutheran retook momentum scoring 4 runs in the 7^th taking the 9 to 7 lead and then held La Junta scoreless in the bottom of the 7^th to win the game 9 to 7. Lutheran started their Ace Tyler Eldred who pitched 5.1 innings giving up 7 hits, 5 runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts. Eldred threw 76 pitches and was pulled during La Junta rally in the 6^th inning. Kyle Budnack was brought in as relied and pitched .2 of an inning giving up 2 runs, 2 walks, and threw 22 pitches. Lutheran then brought in Corbyn Seymore to close the game and he did throwing just 6 pitches and helping Lutheran close out the game. Lutheran hit the ball extremely well in the game hitting .457 as a team. In game #2 Lutheran faced regional host Bennett. Lutheran threw junior Corbyn Seymore in the game. Lutheran scored 5 runs in the 3^rd inning and cruised to a 7 to 0 victory. Corbyn pitched great throwing 7 innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out 9. He only threw 65 pitches and nearly threw a no-hitter. In game #2 Lutheran hit .290 but did enough offensively to win the game. Lutheran will now have their hands full against Lamar but pitching matchups will be the key to this game.

#4 Faith Christian vs #5 Kent Denver @12:30 at Butch Butler

Faith Christian entered the Regional bracket as the #4 overall seed. Faith Christian did live up to the seeding dominating both games. In game #1 Faith Christian faced off against Bayfield. Faith Christian was trailing early 1-0 after two innings. Faith Christian then scored 8 in the third and cruised to the 11-1 victory. Faith Christian started Junior Macklin Brockmeyer who pitched 2.2 innings, gave up 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and struck out 5. He was relieved by Senior Tyler Mattingley who pitched 2.1 inning, giving up 2 hits and struck out 5. Faith Christian as a team batted 3.18. In game #2 Faith Christian faced off against Resurrection Christian. Both teams were held scoreless through 3 innings. Resurrection Christian struck first scoring 2 runs in the 4 but Faith Christian answered with 1 to make it 2-1. Faith Christian then scored 5 in the fifth to take the lead and held on late to win 7-2. Faith Christian threw junior Michael Thome who pitched 7 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and striking out 10. As a team Faith Christian hit .292 and were mostly kept in check by solid pitching from Resurrection Christian. Faith Christian must continue to get solid pitching to make a run in the tournament.

Kent Denver entered the Regional bracket as the #29 seed and were the biggest surprise team to make it to the State Bracket. Kent Denver season has been up and down but put it together when it mattered. Kent Denver won both regionals games in dramatic fashion. In game #1 Kent Denver faced Regional Host Sterling and what a game it was. Kent Denver was trailing 4-0 entering the top of the 7^th inning. Kent Denver then scored 4 runs in the 7^th inning to force extra innings. In the 8^th inning neither team scored and then in the 9^th Kent Denver pushed 1 across and was able to hold on to win 5-4. Kent Denver started senior Noah VanSickle he pitched 6 innings giving up 2 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, and 8 strikeouts. He was relieved by junior Henry Rodgers who pitched 3 innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 6. He also closed the door twice on sterling in the 7^th and 9^th innings. In game #2 Kent Denver faced Cedaredge and once again dramatic ensued. Kent Denver took an early 5-0 lead heading into the 3^rd inning. Cedaredge then scored 2 in the 3^rd inning and 3 in the 4^th inning to tie the game at 5. In the bottom of the 4^th Kent Denver scored 1 to retake the lead and then scored 2 more in the 5^th to take an 8 to 5 lead. Cedaredge made things interesting scoring 2 in the 6^th to make it an 8 to 7 game. Kent Denver scored 1 more in the 6^th and Kent Denver held on late to win 9-7. Kent Denver started freshman Davis Evans he pitched 4 innings giving up 5 hits, 5 runs, 7 walks, and striking out 5. Evans was relieved by junior Henry Rogers and once again Rogers was able to lock things down pitching 3 innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 8. Kent Denver has a ton of momentum, but rival Faith Christian is sitting in their way. Pitching will be the difference in this game.

#3 University vs #6 Delta @10:00am at Niwot HS

University entered the tournament as the #2 seed and they lived up to the expectations. University though was tested in game #1 against Basalt. University trailing early after giving up 1 run in the first inning. University was then held scoreless through 3 innings before striking for a 5-0 lead in the 4^th. University then scored 3 more runs to take an 8-0 lead into the 7^th inning. University then gave up 2 runs in the 7^th to win 8-3. University was hoping for a quick game, but Basalt made them work for it. University started Junior Colton Widler who pitched 5 innings giving up 4 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, and striking out 10. Widler was relieved by junior Koy Jorgensen who pitched 2 innings giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 2. University in game #2 came out with much more fire and won 15-0 over Rye. No stats were entered for the game, but University got their momentum back and now looks towards their first-round game against a red-hot Delta team.

Delta may be the hottest team in 3A right now. Delta dominated the Western Slope league and have not lost a game since March. Delta opened regionals with a 22-4 blowout of Centauri. Delta scored 3 in the first, 6 in the second, and 9 in the fourth to take control of this game. Centauri did fight hard, but Delta was just too much for them to handle. Delta pitched senior Drake Horn who pitched 5 innings giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, and striking out 4. It took him only 60 pitches to get through 5 innings. Delta hit the ball extremely well hitting .615 in the game. In game #2 Delta played an equally hot Colorado Academy team. Delta came out and took a quick 7 to 0 lead heading into the 4^th inning. Colorado Academy got on the board scoring 1 in the 4^th inning but Delta came back out and scored 4 more taking an 11 to 1 lead. Colorado Academy kept the mercy rule of scoring 2 in the 5^th inning make the score heading into the 6^th inning 12-3. Colorado Academy scored 2 more in the 7^th but Delta was in control winning 12-5. Delta started senior Ace Jaspar Carmichael who pitched 6 innings giving up 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, and striking out 12. Carmichael was relieved by Hollenbeck in the 7^th inning who pitched 1 inning giving up 1 hits, 2 runs, walking 4, and striking out 2. Delta once again hit the ball well hitting .321 in the game. Delta biggest question mark heading forward is pitching depth and how well can their pitching hold up against a very good University team.

#2 Eaton vs #7 Peak to Peak @12:30pm at Niwot HS

Eaton once again is in the state tournament and entered Regionals as the #3 seed. Eaton had a tough game right off the bat against Colorado 7 automatic qualifier Fort Lupton. Eaton was able to take a quick 4 to 0 lead heading into the 5^th inning and then things got a bit more interesting. Fort Lupton scored 1 in the 5^th and Eaton answered the run with one of their own to make the score 5-1. Fort Lupton then scored 2 in the 6^th to make things more interesting heading into the 7^th trailing just 5-3. Fort Lupton then was held scoreless in the 7^th and Eaton won 5-3. Eaton pitched senior Ty Cunningham who pitched 7 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, and striking out 8. Eaton did hit the ball well batting .357 from the plate. In game #2 Eaton made quick work of Aspen. Eaton scored 6 runs in the first, 1 in the 2^nd and 3 in the fourth to mercy rule Aspen 10-0. Eaton had a very solid outing from junior Jared Ure who pitched 5 innings giving up 4 hits and striking out 9. Eaton also hit the ball well again hitting .381. Eaton faced a Peak to Peak team who has some momentum and will need solid pitching to beat a team who can score runs in bunches.

Peak to Peak entered their quadrant as the #2 seed and figured them and Alamosa were on a collision course in the Regional Finals. Peak to Peak did struggle though early against Weld Central trailing 2-1 after 3 innings. Peak to Peak then took back control and never looked back scoring 2 in the 4^th, 3 in the 5^th and won 7 to 2. Peak to Peak started senior Niko DeNiro who pitched 3 innings giving up 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, and striking out 3. DeNiro was relieved by sophomore Shriver who pitched 4 innings giving up 4 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 1. Peak to Peak hit the ball well hitting .320 in the game. In game #2 Peak to Peak faced off against Alamosa. This game was probably one of the better games in the regional rounds and went down to the wire. Peak to Peak scored right away in the first inning. Alamosa struck back scoring 2 in the 2^nd inning. Peak to Peak then scored 2 in the fourth and 3 in the 5^th to take a 7 to 5 lead heading into the 6^th inning. Peak to Peak looked to take control of the game scoring 1 in the 6^th and 1 in the 7^th to take a demanding 9 to 5 lead. Alamosa didn’t say die scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 7^th inning to force extra inning and Alamosa nearly won on a passed ball but Peak to Peak played solid defense keeping the runner from scoring. No teams scored in the 8^th inning and then once again things got interesting in the 9^th inning. Peak to Peak struck quickly with a two-run homerun to take a 11-9 lead. Alamosa came out in the bottom of the 9^th inning scoring 1 run and having runners on 1^st and second a line drive was then hit right down the first base line and a double play was turned. Peak to Peak won 11 to 10 in what I can say was a great game and fun to watch from beginning to end. Peak to Peak threw 4 different pitchers in the game and I cannot find who they started. Max Higdon, Baylor Weyer, Isaac Van Tol, and Garret Shriver all pitched in the game. Garret Shriver pitched the final 2.1 innings getting the win in the game. Shriver gave up 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, and struck out 1. Peak to Peak hit decent in the game batting .333. Peak to Peak now must quickly refocus for a very good Eaton team.