Baseball preview: Defending 4A champs Indians under construction

Cheyenne Mountain is no stranger to coming from behind. The Indians did it repeatedly in 2009 during their run through the 4A state baseball playoffs that ended with a state championship.

But in 2010, the comeback will be a long process. The Indians lost eight starters from last year’s championship team.

Heading into this season they will lean on one of the best players in the state, Austin Darby, for both leadership and performance.

“I’m going to have to push this team to have a great work ethic like we had last year,” the junior pitcher/outfielder said. “We weren’t always the most talented team, but we were clutch.”

Darby was a main contributing factor in the Indians’ success last season. He had a .430 batting average and had a 7-0 pitching record with 80 strikeouts.

This year, however, his role will change from just one of many contributors to “the guy” on the roster.

“We’re not expecting anything great or horrible,” he said. “We will just need to bond and jell as a team, and see how far we can go.”

First-year coach Mark Swope is familiar with Darby and the rest of the roster. He has been an assistant on the Indians’ staff for the past three years.

“I’m counting on Austin to step up and be a leader,” Swope said. “I hope he takes it to the next level and is a good role model for the younger guys on this team.”

Darby will assume the role of teacher since only one other player on the roster has played varsity baseball.

The Indians will field a starting lineup of three seniors, three juniors and three sophomores, with the entire bench comprised of underclassmen.

“One of the most important things is for us to have a good season that will give us confidence as we head toward 2011,” Darby said. “We are going to need to rebuild the whole team, and stay strong and work hard.”

The Indians’ have front-loaded their schedule with tough nonconference games, so the young players will get a baptism by fire.

“The challenge is to get the sophomores ready for varsity speed,” Swope said. “We scheduled some tournaments in different states to hopefully get us ready for league play.”

Darby knows that he is going to have to help in whatever way he can, which may include playing several positions.

“If I need to fill in at a position then I will work as hard as I can, and when my teammates see me working hard hopefully it will make them want to do the same.”

TEAM CAPSULES

5A Metro
Air Academy
Coach: Duggan Moran, 2nd year
Last season’s record: 10-10                 
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: 3B/P Seth Brown, IF Zach Gehler, OF/P Mike Scott, OF/P Max Shaffer, OF John Tosches, 1B Jared Ward, P/SS Jovian Santiago, OF/P Nick Stephens
Key newcomers: 3B Kevin Giordano, OF Rip Price, OF/P Bill Shatraw, C/P Trevor Goldberg
Team strengths: Talented and deep, have 7-8 pitchers, offensive firepower
Team weaknesses: Still fairly young and need to be consistent

Coronado
Coach: Bob Lizarraga, 1st year
Last season’s record: N/A
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: P Ryan Wooldridge, OF Dylan Settle, P Zach Malone, 1B Alec Feuerbach, C Kyle Bray
Key newcomers: IF Brennon Augustine
Team strengths: Good leadership
Team weaknesses: Young and inexperienced

Doherty
Coach: Chris Solarek, 1st year                                 
Last season’s record: 14-5                
Returning starters: N/A
Key returnees: IF/P Matt Barr, C Matt Bingman   
Key newcomers: Jake Dittman (transfer from North Carolina), Derek Stimpson (transfer from Vista Ridge), Trip Dugas (transfer from St. Mary’s)
Team strengths: Athletic and versatile, good core of young pitchers
Team weaknesses: Overall experience, very young at key positions, not a lot of varsity pitching experience

Fountain-Fort Carson
Coach: Matt Buczkowski, 7th year
Last season’s record: 10-10               
Returning starters: 9
Key returnees: 3B/P Darian Cordova, IF Jeremy Luna, OF/P Gabe Gallegos, 1B Tyler Dindinger, C/P Zach Bosier, P/IF Matt Martinez, OF/C Tanner Keiley, OF Aaron Hart, P/IF Josh Frausto                                              
Key newcomers: OF Quentin Lawson, OF/P Jeff Holm, P/IF Mike Pattee
Team strengths: Nine lettermen returning, will be experienced with position players and pitching staff
Team weaknesses: Need to show they can overcome some adversity

Liberty
Coach: Lance McCorkle, 7th year
Last season’s record: 5-14                  
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: P/1B Ryan Bulow, 3B Isaac Koch, SS Brent Williams, 2B Hagen Aderholt, C Ben Woodbury, P Trevor Wynn, P Zach Rose
Key newcomers: OF Marcus Simon, OF Matt Turner
Team strengths: Will be solid in the infield, veteran team that knows how to play together, deep and experienced pitching
Team weaknesses: Consistency on the mound will be a factor

Palmer
Coach: Mike Hagen, 3rd year
Last season’s record: 1-18
Returning starters: 3
Key returnees: SS/P Race Osuna, C Evan Friesen, 1B/P Korey Swain                          
Key newcomers: DH/2B Eric Mason, P Chris Vieira, P Chris Spohn, OF Mitch Snow
Team strengths:  Defensively strong in the infield and outfield, pitching depth
Team weaknesses: Inexperience

Pine Creek
Coach: Glenn Millhauser, 2nd year
Last season’s record: 13-4
Returning starters: 6
Key Returnees: OF John Pustay, SS Derek Skrdlant, 3B Zack Wiese, 2B Frank McCoy, OF Ian McGill, C Quinn Tiernan
Key newcomers: N/A
Team strengths: Senior leadership, pitching depth, solid defense
Team weaknesses: None

Rampart
Coach: Adam Strah, 5th year
Last season’s record: 22-3, 5A state semifinals
Returning starters: 6
Key returnees: OF/P Robert Forrest (.425 avg, 9-1 pitching record), C Zach Looney (.447 avg), IF/P Tony Schicktanz (.482 avg), IF Alex Koehler, 1B David Melander, OF/P Nick Whitbeck
Key newcomers: Nick Evans, Dylan Blakeley, Nate Gieseking
Team strengths: Defense, 1-4 in the batting order, senior leadership
Team weaknesses: Pitching depth and dealing with loss of four seniors from last season

Sand Creek
Coach: Mark Bowers, 2nd year
Last season’s record: 8-11
Returning starters: 1
Key returnees: P Ross Mortensen, C JD Webb
Key newcomers: OF Connor Putman, OF Greg Solis, 2B Brennan Sheets
Team strengths: Solid athletes
Team weaknesses: Very young team having to develop pitchers and role players

4A Metro
Cheyenne Mountain
Coach: Mark Swope, 1st year
Last season’s record: 24-3, 4A state champions
Returning starters: 2
Key returnees: P/OF Austin Darby (.430 avg, 26 RBIs, 7-0 pitching record), OF Scott Bowen
Key newcomers: Matt Lashlee (coming back from injury)
Team strengths: Return of one of the best players in the state in Darby
Team weaknesses: Inexperience at a varsity level for young players

Falcon
Coach: Sean Sloan, 2nd year               
Last season’s record: 8-11                     
Returning starters: 4
Key returnees: P/OF Andrew Glauvitz, IF Joe Vela, C/IF Dan Pezdirtz                               
Key newcomers: N/A
Team strengths: Good leadership from seniors and several returning pitchers
Team weaknesses: N/A

Lewis-Palmer
Coach: Charles Milo, 8th year
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: C/P Cameron Bobbitt (.391 avg), 3B/P Kyle Engelhardt (.491 avg, 16 RBIs), P/CF Stephen Foote, P/OF Nick Cicere, IF Colin Siskind, OF Jordan Ververs, OF Tyler Shaum, OF Will Vicars
Key newcomers: IF JT Spinosa, C Kevin Dirschel
Team strengths: Three starting pitchers return along with four other starters
Team weaknesses: Lack of depth

Mesa Ridge
Coach: David Boden, 3rd year
Last season’s record: 6-13
Returning starters: 2
Key returnees: C William Boden, SS Anthony Solwen
Key newcomers: Alex Gonzales, Tate Grotelueschn
Team strengths: Defense
Team weaknesses: Offensive power, will need to use small ball

Mitchell
Coach: Brett Humphrey, 1st year
Last season’s record: N/A
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: 1B/P Tyler Bernard, SS/P Sam Applin, 3B/P Daniel Trouwborst, 3B/P Tyler Powell, C/P Jacob Poe, CF/P Zach Adame, OF/P Raul Hernandez, OF/P Tyler Ryle, IF/P Caleb Lavato
Key newcomers: OF/P Josh Larkin, IF/P Brett Shartzer, OF/P Aaron Vetek, 3B/P Bryant Watts, 3B/P Kevin Vazquez
Team strengths: Senior leadership, pitching experience
Team weaknesses: Not as much varsity experience as other teams, depth

Sierra
Coach: Thomas Riehl, 2nd year
Last season’s record: 0-19
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: CF Dustin Oakley, 1B/P Esteban Bayron
Key newcomers: C Josh Martinez
Team strengths: Outfield coverage, solid shortstop and third base positions
Team weaknesses: Pitching depth, young team

Widefield
Coach: Tom McCabe, 6th year
Last season’s record: 12-7, state quarterfinals
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: 3B Steve Stone, SS/P Lonny Schoon, C Maxwell Martinez, 2B Derick Cruz
Key newcomers: CF Edgar Caliz
Team strengths: Defense
Team weaknesses: Depth

Woodland Park
Coach: Chris Winstead, 6th year
Last season’s record: 12-7
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: SS/P Jared Huggins, C Ryann Canella, OF/P Taylor Watters, 2B Josh Logsdon, 3B Charlie Jones
Key newcomers: OF Chris Driscoll, P/OF Lee Stunkard, OF/P Louie Neil
Team strengths: Leadership and pitching depth
Team weaknesses: Practicing and playing at a high elevation of 8,500 feet

4A South Central
Cañon City
Coach: Tim Ritter, 11th year
Last season’s record: 9-10
Returning starters: 9
Key returnees: P/2B Tyler Shannon, OF/P Kenny Blair, OF Tyler Vodopich, P/SS Cody Sparks, 1B David Huffington, P Tyler Leonard, C/P Chase Leonard
Key newcomers: 3B/P Brandon Rix, Max Javernick
Team strengths: Experience with 10 seniors who played a lot last season, depth
Team weaknesses: Don’t have a true ace in the pitching staff

4A Pioneer
Palmer Ridge
Coach: John Cronican, 3rd year
Last season’s record: 11-5
Returning starters: 9
Key returnees: C Steven Leonard, 3B Ty Baricell, P Luke Schnieder
Key newcomers: P Drew Christopherson, OF Malacai Colebank
Team strengths: Offense
Team weaknesses: Young and inconsistent defense

3A Tri-Peaks West
The Classical Academy
Coach: Steve Whiting, 3rd year
Last season’s record: 12-1 (JV)                                                                     
Returning starters: 8
Key returnees: 1B Paul Fey, SS/P Stephen Leland, P Kale Lobosco, P David Pantle
Key newcomers: Adam Warren, Luke Brown, Kellen MacDonald
Team strengths: Pitching depth
Team weaknesses: Varsity experience

CSCS
Coach: Randy Hodges, 3rd year
Last season’s record: 9-10
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: P/C Alex Riehl, SS/P Austin Galley, 3B Nate Engesser, 1B/P Mike Hodges, C/OF Dan Goss, OF/SS Zach Wessler
Key newcomers: Drew Wilbur, Luke Douglas
Team strengths: Hitting and defense
Team weaknesses: Team speed, fairly young team and pitching depth

Manitou Springs
Coach: Rob Quarry, 6th year
Last season’s record: 19-5, 3A semifinals
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: P/SS Sam Schultz, UT Stevie Davis, P/OF Brent Ganger, OF Mike Mikita, 3B Colton Chorpenning
Key newcomers: Logan Asbury
Team strengths: Youth and enthusiasm
Team weaknesses: Some inexperience and new pitchers

3A Tri-Peaks East
Peyton
Coach: Kelly Nickell, 9th year
Last season’s record: 12-7
Returning starters: 8
Key returnees: P/CF Todd Brazell (first team all-conference), IF Bryant Thomas (first team all-conference), P/1B Cole Ellis, OF Greg Tatum, P/C Kyle Loyd
Key newcomers: Ty Baker, Kyle Gowen
Team strengths: Team speed, depth
Team weaknesses: Lack of power, depth of pitching staff

St. Mary’s
Coach: Bill Percy, 4th year
Last season’s record: 12-7
Returning starters: 5
Key returnees: P Brent Harder, C Matt Bucher, SS Nick Padrnos
Key newcomers: OF/P Nick Garrett
Team strengths: Pitching
Team weaknesses: Lack of depth

2A
Calhan
Coach: Shane McClelland, 9th year
Last season’s record: N/A
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: P Josh Woolsey, C Jordan McClelland, UT Clint Hammond, P Jake Sparks, IF Ethan Mease, IF Ryan Stine, OF Braedon Roberts
Key newcomers: Tyler Chaussee, Branden Teeters, Jack Norris
Team strengths: Leadership, returning players, pitching rotation
Team weaknesses: Pitching depth after starting rotation

ECA
Coach: Bob DeRuiter, 5th year
Last season’s record: 11-6     
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: P/IF Markus Reuter (.559 avg, 26 RBIs), IF/P Josh Andrews (.558 BA, 29 runs), Matt May (.340 BA, 17 RBIs), OF Caleb Joles, OF Austin Crews
Key newcomers: Jeremy Andrews
Team strengths: Hitting and stolen bases. Last year’s team average was .394. Also were 77-for-80 in stolen bases last season
Team weaknesses: Consistency with defense and pitching, lost top pitcher from last season

Elbert
Coach: Chris Williams, 7th year
Last season’s record: N/A
Returning starters: 7
Key returnees: P/IF Colten Holschuh, P/IF Matt Wille, C Joe Crabbs, OF Dawson Weber, OF Jack Suder, 1B Matt Meredith, OF Cameron Biondo
Key newcomers: P/IF Lance Bickel, C/IF Roger Carlson
Team strengths: Returns a lot of experience
Team weaknesses: N/A