Class 1A Baseball District Tournament Predictions

Class 1A Baseball District Tournament Predictions

With District Tournaments getting underway tonight I decided I better get my predictions out.  If you are looking for more in depth look at the District Tournament than Kerry Sherman will have you covered later this morning.  Remember this is all in fun and we are not cheering against any teams.  Good Luck to all teams fighting for a shot at regionals.  One thing I will say is the District Tournament will give all teams a good look at their pitching depth for regionals next week.  A team with just 1 good pitcher will be tested if pitching depth is not there.

Class 1A District Tournament Predictions

With District Tournaments getting underway tonight I decided I better get my predictions out.  If you are looking for more in depth look at the District Tournament than Kerry Sherman will have you covered later this morning.  Remember this is all in fun and we are not cheering against any teams.  Good Luck to all teams fighting for a shot at regionals.  One thing I will say is the District Tournament will give all teams a good look at their pitching depth for regionals next week.  A team with just 1 good pitcher will be tested if pitching depth is not there.

District 1

Dove Creek over Antonito

Nucla over Sierra Grande

Championship: Nucla over Dove Creek

Nucla vs Sierra Grande is the big matchup to watch in the first round.  I am very interested to see how Nucla handles this game and if they save their Ace.  If Nucla vs Dove Creek happens in the championship expect another great matchup between two underrated teams.  This District will get two automatic qualifiers! Nucla and Dove Creek would get the automatic qualify spots if they reach championship.  Sierra Grande will have a shot at an At-Large team as they sit inside the top 12 currently.  I do worry if they lose another game how much they will slide as only the top 14 will get into regionals.

Seeding Index Rankings as of 4/29 @10am: #12 Sierra Grande, #21 Nucla, #22 Antonito, #23 Dove Creek

District 2

Simla over Kiowa

Elbert over ECA

Championship: Simla over Elbert

Elbert vs ECA should be a great matchup.  They split the matchup the last time they faced each other.  I expect both teams to throw their #1’s.  Regardless of the winner of the game they should both reach regionals unless a team jumps from outside the top 14.  Simla vs the winner of Elbert vs ECA will be interesting as Simla should have their #1 for this matchup.  Only the district champion will get the automatic berth into regionals, but I do expect both Elbert and ECA to have a shot at an at-large berth.

Seeding Index Rankings as of 4/29 @10am: #8 Simla, #10 Elbert, #11 ECA, #25 Kiowa

District 3

Flatirons Academy over Rocky Mountain Lutheran

Only two teams are in this district.  Both teams will have their top pitcher available and should be an interesting matchup.  Flatirons Academy will get to regionals regardless of the outcome, but Rocky Mountain Lutheran will need to win the District Tournament to get to regionals.  RML sits at #18 currently in the Seeding Index. 

Seeding Index Rankings as of 4/29 @10am: #4 Flatirons Academy, #18 Rocky Mountain Lutheran

District 4

#1 Stratton over #8 Cheyenne Wells

#5 McClave over #4 Wiley

#2 Eads over #7 Springfield

#3 Holly over #6 La Veta

I don’t think we see a ton of surprises in the opening round.  The matchup that intrigues me the most is McClave vs Wiley.  This will be a very good game with a lot on the line for both teams.  McClave sits at #17 in the seeding index with Wiley at #13.  This could be a battle for the last spot into regionals.

#1 Stratton over #5 McClave

#3 Holly over #2 Eads

Championship: #1 Stratton over #3 Holly

I am always intrigued how teams handle the matchups with pitching.  Stratton, I think can pitch either their #1 or #2 in the semifinals.  Stratton has shown they can win with their #2 but more than likely will face McClave #1 pitcher.  Holly vs Eads will be a good matchup and like above I am interested to see how teams handle the pitching situations.  Stratton vs Holly if it happens in the district championship will be a good one.  They split during the regular season and could come down to who has the best pitching available for the matchup.

Seeding Index Rankings as of 4/29 @10am: #6 Stratton, #7 Holly, #9 Eads, #13 Wiley, #15 La Veta, #17 McClave, #19 Cheyenne Wells, #24 Springfield

District 5

#1 Akron over #8 Briggsdale

#4 Otis over #5 Caliche

#2 Haxtun over #7 Prairie

#3 Merino over #6 Peetz

I don’t expect any crazy upsets in the Quarterfinals.  You could see the top teams try and keep pitch counts under the required 3 days rest and see an #1 pitch an inning or two then go to the #2.  Otis vs Caliche will be the best matchup.  Caliche has shown they can pull the upset and they will go with their #1 as they need the upset.  Caliche is at #14 and should be the last team into the regional bracket. 

#1 Akron over #4 Otis

#2 Haxtun over #3 Merino

Championship: #2 Haxtun over #1 Akron

As I mentioned in D4 pitching will be key to these teams.  If these four teams reach the Semifinals, we may see all four teams throw their #1s to advance into the championship.  Pitching depth will be key to these teams winning.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an upset in the semifinals.  Akron vs Haxtun if they meet up should be a good one yet again.  Haxtun swept Akron the last time they meet, and I expect another close matchup. Pitching depth again will be key. 

Seeding Index Rankings as of 4/29 @10am: #1 Akron, #2 Haxtun, #3 Merino, #5 Otis, #14 Caliche, #16 Peetz, #20 Prairie, #26 Briggsdale, #31 Weldon Valley