5A Programs
Doherty HS
Spartans (2032)
Coach: Andy Storm - 3rd season
Returning starters: 3
2021 Record: 9-7
2021 Srs playing at the next level: David Cooper - Southern Illinois Tech University, Chace Frey - Riverland JC, Max Diluzio - Riverland JC, Kyle Neuendorf - Penn State Mont Alto
Players to watch: None committed - Jake Corsi (SR) SS/P, Travis Box (SR) 2B, Diego Gonzalez (JR) P/3B, Quinn Crook (JR) P/OF
2022 Outlook: The Spartans were able to sneak into the playoffs in 2021 with 3 bottom of the 7th walk-off wins to finish the season. First playoff appearance for the program since 2016. 3rd year Coach Andy Storm is excited about the direction the program is moving and the work ethic and resiliency the players exhibit. Travis Box (SR), Jake Corsi (SR) and Michael Tapia (SR) are all seniors and will provide leadership both on and off the field in 2022. T. Box is the spark-plug for a Spartan offense that is often under estimated and thrives on an underdog mentality. Coach Storm has created a new positive environment at Doherty that has players excited about playing baseball. If the momentum keeps up the Spartans could be a year or 2 away from making some noise in the Pikes Peak.
Fountain Fort
Carson HS
Trojans (1790)
Coach: Thomas Revering - 1st season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 6-9
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Austin Armstrong SS - Colorado Northwestern JC, Casey Thibault 3B/P - Trinidad JC
Players to watch: None committed - Andrew Bailey (SR) IF/P, Anibal Rivera (SR) IF/P, Haydn Stowe (SR) C, Zac Sanders (SO) OF/P
2022 Outlook: New head coach Thomas Revering seeks to reinvigorate the program but the road is tough for a team that finished 6-9 last season and hasn't played playoff baseball since 2016. The strength of the team will be offense and pitching depth. Coach Revering has seen players making a strong commitment in offseason to elevate their game both at the plate and mound. The team will lean on Andrew Bailey (SR) and Anibal Rivera (SR) to compete in 2022. Both are 2 way players and were productive last year. Jayden Montoya (SO) also brings experience to the mound and adds depth if all 3 guys perform like they should. The biggest concern is defense and making plays behind the pitchers. Consistency could be an issue but Coach Revering hopes to improve as the season progresses.
Rampart HS
Rams (1641)
Coach: Jake Huard - 5th season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 4-10
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Mason Sermersheim Colorado Northeastern JC
Players to watch: None committed - Benji Carrington (SR) OF, Josh White (SR) SS, Taylor Dulaney (SR) IF, Roman Valdez (JR) OF, Haydn Benoit (SO) P
2022 Outlook: The Rams have had their fair share of struggles over the last few seasons but with 7 starters returning and a good group of guys Coach Huard is optimistic about 2022. With the right combination of returning veterans and young talent Rampart has a shot at ending their 5 year playoff drought. An offense that welcomes back over half of the top hitters will hit for Avg. and power. Josh White (SR), Benji Carrington (SR) and Taylor Dulaney (SR) each hit over .400 last season, had multiple homeruns and provide strong defense and leadership. On the mound B. Carrington and J. White will be the #1 and #2 arms going into the season with underclassmen Hayden Benoit (SO) and David Eastman (SO) expected to to play roles also. D. Eastman will also contribute offensively.
Cheyenne Mtn. HS
Red-Tailed Hawks (1255)
Coach: Mark Swope - 13th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 17-4
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Brad Helton - Metro College, Adam Jackson- Northeastern JC
Players to watch: Connor Frickey (SR) 1B, Denton Damgaard (SR) C - committed to Missouri S&T Univ., Hays Chaney (SR) OF/RHP, Ben Myers (JR) INF/RHP, Jace Eslinger (JR) INF, Max O'Neil (JR) INF/RHP, Reese Lyons (SR) - committed to Kansas Christian College
2022 Outlook: The Red-Tailed Hawks returning veterans should be enough to keep them in playoff contention, but if they want to compete for their 3rd straight league championship and state tourney appearance they will have to find pitching depth. Filling the shoes of starting pitcher Brad Helton, who graduated will be impossible but Ben Myers (JR) and Owen Growney (SR) are solid pitchers that will keep the team in every game. Who helps on the mound after that is still in question. There is no question who the big bat in the lineup will be. Denton Damgaard (SR) returns for his senior year after putting up video game like numbers a year ago. He will be surrounded in the lineup by 2 juniors Max Oneil (JR) and Jace Eslinger (JR), both had outstanding sophomore seasons. With a winning culture and good coaching never count Cheyenne Mountain out.
Vista Ridge HS
Wolves (1542)
Coach: Carter Gerber - 6th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 7-9
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Nick Baba - Colorado Northeastern JC
Players to watch: None committed - Luke Singleton (SR) P
2022 Outlook: The Wolves struggles may have continued in last season but it does seem things are moving in the right direction. A youth movement in 2021 saw up to 4-5 sophomores on the field at times. A season that also resulted in the most wins in over 10 years. Now with a year of experience under the belts of these underclassmen and 2 big dynamic arms returning Vista Ridge expects to compete in every game with a chance to win. Luke Singleton (SR) and Owen Glasgow (JR) return to a staff that also includes Chase Kessler (JR) and Kellen Backer (JR). Singleton and Glasgow are penciled in as the #1 and #2 arms but both relievers are capable of spot starts and adequate support out of the bullpen. On the offensive side Charlie Mancantel (JR) and Zachari Pace (JR) look to be the top 2 hitters on paper but don't count out Jase Phillips (SR), O. Glasgow and C. Kessler as impact guys in the lineup too. This team is centered around pitching and defense with the ability to situational hit and if things click look for a big improvement this season from the Wolves.
Discovery Canyon HS
Thunder (1136)
Coach: Justin Ross - 1st season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 8-8
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Brandon Sheppard - Northeastern Colorado JC
Players to watch: None committed - Cooper Babcock (SR) 1B, Gavin Montoya (SR) OF, Jonah Johnson (SR) RHP, Nick Marburger (SR) RHP
2022 Outlook: There are lots of unknowns about what to expect from Discovery Canyon this season. Justin Ross takes over as head coach for a program still looking for their 1st league championship since opening in 2007. The Thunder are competitive year in and year out but finishing on top of the competitive Pikes Peak League is always a challenge. One thing you can count on is when Jonah Johnson (SR) is on the mound the Thunder will compete with anyone. J. Johnson had 37 IP with 3 wins and 51 K's a year ago. Ryan Swift (SR) and Cooper Babcock (SR) were part of an offense that led the league in hitting in 2021 but lost their top 3 hitters to graduation. Discovery Canyon will be competitive one again but who will replace a few holes in the lineup and 21 IP by graduated Austin Weller are a few questions Coach Ross will have to answer to take these guys to the next level.
Liberty HS
Lancers (1596)
Coach: Austin Watson - 6th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 6-9
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Austin Webster - Ottawa University
Players to watch: None committed - Braeden Goodwin (SR), Cody Read (SR) 2B/3B, John Mark Naftanel (SR) 2B, Jonah Perry (SR) UTIL, Kyle Neefe (SR) SS/3B, Seth Klenow (SR) 2B/RF/RHP, Von Raffelson (SR) OF, Will Grantz (SR) OF, Zach Cody (SR) UTIL, Justin Downs (JR) UTIL, Michael Naftanel (SO) 2B/SS
2022 Outlook: The Lancers welcome back an experienced squad that is looking to take the next step after finishing 7th in league in 2021. Competing for a league championship will be a challenge but putting themselves in playoff contention would be a step forward. The team will be built around offense and defense but pitching will make or break the season. The Lancers top hitters are back, Cody Read (SR), Kyle Neefe (SR) and Jonah Perry (SR) who all hit over .400 with high slugging percentages a year ago. Expect the pitching staff to be very similar to 2021 minus team ace Austin Webster who graduated. Zach Cody (SR), C. Read and Seth Klenow (SR) all have varsity experience on the mound but will inherit larger roles in 2022 that could determine the success of the team. The seniors have great leadership and high expectations but to achieve the goals for 2022 they will need to find a way to work together and stay motivated.
Pine Creek HS
Eagles (1590)
Coach: Jeff Parker - 1st season
Returning starters: 3
2021 Record: 7-7
2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
Players to watch: None committed - Quinn Mahan (SR) INF/P, Canon Budge (SO) OF, Boston Kelner (FR) INF/P
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2022 Outlook: The Eagles can't wait for the 2022 season to arrive so they can focus on beginning a new streak of league dominance and playoff appearances. Their 9 consecutive league championships came to an end in 2021 as Pine Creek failed to even make the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years. New head coach Jeff Parker comes to Pine Creek after a stint at league opponent Discovery Canyon and will be dependent on seniors stepping up as leaders and young prospects exceeding their expectations. The team graduated 6 of their top sticks in the lineup and will look to Joey Taylor (SR) and Jaron Gorsch (SR) to lead the way at the plate. For the offense to contribute Coach Parker will need a few unknowns to emerge and contribute immediately. The bright spot could be a veteran pitching staff that returns 3 of their top arms from a year ago along with Top Prospect Quinn Mayan (SR). Together the group logged 50+ IP but will need to improve on their performances from 2021.
4A Programs
Air Academy HS
Cadets (1354)
Coach: Steve Whiting - 1st season
Returning starters: 8
2021 Record: 8-8
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - James Wright (SR) C, Cody Sheets (JR) CF/P, Matt Hansen (SO) SS
2022 Outlook: New coach Steve Whiting takes over a veteran team that returns 8 starters and a dynamic offense. With a strong returning class and combination of some exciting young players Whiting thinks the Cadets are poised to compete for a league title in 2022. First title since 2017 which also saw them advance to the Final 4. An explosive offense that returns Cody Sheets (JR), James Wright (SR) and Matt Hansen (SO) will combine with a pitching staff that welcomes back Frank Flores (SO), Airen Honeywood (SR) and C. Sheets. A staff that posted the 3rd best ERA and K's in league a year ago. C. Sheets will be the teams #1 while also hitting in the middle of the order. Sheets hit .455 at the plate while striking out 37 in 30 IP as a sophomore. J. Wright will swing a big stick in the lineup as well and between him, Sheets and the rest of the Cadets this could be a big season.
Special Thanks
to all the High School coaches that helped make this publication happen by providing league, school and player information to assist with the most accurate and comprehensive Colorado
High School Baseball publication.
Lewis-Palmer HS
Rangers (1065)
Coach: Brett Lester - 7th season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 15-5
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Braden Coe- Otero JC, Caleb Ralph- Central Christian College, Josh Murphy- Goshen College, Justin Hudson- Butler JC, Mick Kazlausky- Air Force Academy, Tommy Fiocchi - Otero JC
Players to watch: Andrew Zamborelli (SR) INF - committed to Doane Univ., Cooper Ciesielski (SR) C, Daulton Johnson (SR) SS - committed to Harding Univ., Mason Perry (SR) OF - committed to Culver Stockton College, Max Randis (SR) P - committed to Moberly Area JC, Caleb Pepper (JR) UTIL/C
2022 Outlook: The Rangers rolled all the way to the Great 8 for the 3rd time in the last 7 years but many key pieces have graduated and moved on, including 3 top pitchers that accounted for 12 wins. Coach Lester's squad loses some power from last year but is still confident the pieces are in place to compete again this season. COBSBL Preseason League MVP Cooper Ciesielski hit 8 HRs in 2021 and works well behind the plate. He will be joined in the lineup by Matt Rhoades (JR) and Caleb Pepper (SR) along with some young up and comers. No returning pitcher besides M. Rhoades has more than 10 innings of varsity experience on the mound but the staff still should pitch it well again this year. M. Rhoades, Max Randis (SR) and C. Pepper will head the pitching staff with a handful of less experienced but quality guys getting a chance to contribute.
Palmer Ridge HS
Bears (1631)
Coach: Ty Baker - 1st season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 7-8
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Brayton Wilmes - Univ. Colorado Colorado Springs(UCCS), Christian Palmer- Colorado Northeastern JC, Jai Leister - Univ. Colorado Colorado Springs(UCCS)
Players to watch: None committed - Kyle Wade (SR) INF, Luke Weir (SR) INF, Austin Rees (JR) OF, Jonah Ward (JR) INF, Luke Brown (JR) OF, Nolan Phillips (JR) P, Tate Gargasz (SO) INF/P
2022 Outlook: The Bears will be a young team and will count on pitching and defense for success in 2022. New head coach Ty Baker inherits a strong core of players that boast two of the top young talents in Austin Rees's (JR) explosiveness at the plate and 2 way player Tate Gargasz (SO). A batting lineup that graduated 4-5 everyday guys is centered around A. Rees, COBSBL Top Junior in CO tied for the league lead in HR's and finished 5th in AVG. with support from Kyle Wade (SR) and T. Gargasz. The remainder of the offense will need to be retooled and developed either by 2021 part-time players or younger new guys. The team strengths will be a solid pitching staff and a defense that knows how to flash the leather. With T. Gargasz and Nolan Phillips (JR) being forces on the bump and solid defense behind them the Bears will be in every game. How quickly some of the younger guys can develop will play a role in the outcome but the overall expectation from Coach Baker for 2022 is growing a winning and family environment for players to develop in.