Prep Baseball Report

2A Final Four Preview



By Jeff Letofsky

PBR Colorado Senior Writer

The Class 2A Final Four invades Pueblo's Runyon Sports Complex on Saturday with Resurrection Christian back to defend its 2014 title. Resurrection (19-4) meets Burlington (11-9) at 10 a.m. at Andenucio Field, while Rye (23-0) takes on Hotchkiss (21-2) at 10 a.m. at Hobbs Field.

The winners meet at 1 p.m. at Hobbs Field for the state championship.

Here's a capsuled look at each team:

Resurrection Christian (19-4) vs. Burlington (11-9)

About the Resurrection Christian Cougars: Resurrection has won nine of its past 11, losing only to University (4-3), Brush (4-0), Peak to Peak (8-5) and Dayspring Christian (6-3). The Cougars are led offensively by senior Luke Mondt (.620) and juniors Jake Tomcheck (.429) and Nathan Wiggins (.410). The Cougars hit .379 as a team. Tomcheck and senior Koby Bishop are the top pitchers. Tomcheck is 3-0 with a 0.91 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 23 innings. Bishop is 4-1 with a 1.44 ERA. Resurrection has a team ERA of 2.01. The Cougars lost nine seniors off their state championship team.

About the Burlington Cougars: Burlington has two standout players in senior Ryan Miller and sophomore Jett County. Miller hits around .600 and County .400. Both also pitch and have recorded more strikeouts than innings pitched. Senior Paul Diaz also toes the mound.

Rye (23-0) vs. Hotchkiss (21-2)

About the Thunderbolts: Rye has posted incredible numbers. It has 17 shutouts in 23 games behind the arms of right-handers Luis Ortiz (6-0, 0.22 ERA, 56Ks) and Trent Hughes (6-0, 0.82 ERA, 81Ks). It has outscored its opponents 341-18 and has played 20 run-rule games, playing past the fifth inning only three times. Ortiz is hitting .542 with 52 runs scored and six homers. Hughes is hitting .689 with 43 RBIs. Others to watch include Bailey Benz (.605, 47 RBIs). Rye hits .464 as a team and has a team ERA of 0.75, allowing just 11 earned runs in 103 innings pitched.

About the Eagles: Hotchkiss has won 14 in a row, having lost its season opener 8-7 to Montezuma-Cortez and dropping a 7-0 decision to Paonia. The Bulldogs hit .441 as a team led by senior Devan Rupe (.582) and junior Cesar Gonzalez (.500). Cole Carvill has driven in 38 runs and has 11 doubles. Rupe is the ace of the pitching staff with an 8-1 record, 1.28 ERA, striking out 61 in 491/3 innings. Gonzalez is 5-0 with a 0.47 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 292/3 innings. The Eagles' team ERA is 1.11.