School: Chaparral
Coach: Steve Eaton
Last year: Won district championship in Class 4A
Whom to watch: Tom Borrelli at outfield, catcher and pitcher,
Geordon Hainlen at catcher, Mark Koenen at shortstop and Jason
Weber at first base, second base and pitcher
Outlook for season: Chaparral is coming off a successful season,
and because the Wolverines are returning all their players, they
should be able to ride that momentum into the new season and
league.
“These kids are pretty seasoned,” Eaton said. “They know what’s
out there, and they’re ready for the challenge.”
School: Douglas County
Coach: Curt Williams
Last year: Finished 8-11, lost in first round of
playoffs
Whom to watch: Jackson Brennan at shortstop, Mike Crespin at
third base, Grant Gerrard at pitcher/outfield, Clint Wages at
center field and Justin Williams at catcher.
Outlook for season: The Huskies have some good leadership and
talent on the team and look to improve on their performance last
season.
“The team has good chemistry and we’re cautiously optimistic,”
Williams said. “I think we can make it to the final 16 and maybe
the elite eight.”
School: Highlands Ranch
Coach: David Wexler
Last year: Finished 13-6, lost in first round of
regionals
Whom to watch: Hunter Harrigan at catcher, Pat Harris at second
base, Kris Herring at pitcher and Josh Kosta at first
base.
Outlook for season: In a tough Continental League, the Falcons
should be one of the top teams. They have a talented and
experienced lineup that should allow them to have a very successful
season.
“We have high expectations,” Wexler said. “But it’s a very
competitive league, and we have to go out and prove it.”
School: Ponderosa
Coach: Clark Eyl
Last year: Finished 8-9
Whom to watch: Doug Buchanan at pitcher, Nate Christiansen at
infield and outfield, Travis Wanzeck at outfield and Ross Weaver at
outfield.
Outlook for season: The Mustangs are stacked with seniors who
most likely will be successful and make the league a little
tougher.
“We have to work hard, and work together, and hopefully good
things will happen,” Eyl said.
School: ThunderRidge
Coach: Dave Mumper
Last year: Prairie League champions, advanced to final eight of
the Class 4A state tournament.
Whom to watch: Jeremy Bushaw at pitcher, Rand LeMarinel at
shortstop, Kevin Mackey at first base, Jesse Nading at pitcher and
Matt Patterson at pitcher.
Outlook for season: The Grizzlies had a great season last year,
but they lost most of their starters and are moving into one of the
strongest 5A leagues in the state.
“We don’t have any margin of error,” Mumper said. “But if we can
do the little things well, we can be competitive.”