By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

3A District Preview

It is tournament time in Colorado and all classifications will be underway this weekend with District and State Tournament play.  Continuing our look at post season play is the 3A classification where it is a new season and same chapter heading into this weekend.  Everyone will be chasing the Eaton Reds, but there are several capable challengers

District 1
No. 1 Eaton 18-1 vs. No. 32 Olathe 9-10
No. 16 Lutheran 10-8-1 vs. No. 17 The Academy 12-5
Players to Watch:  Joe Mondragon (Eaton), Dalton Lind (Eaton), Matt Burkart (Eaton), JT Mossberg (Eaton), Nick Ciccio (Lutheran) 

District 2
No. 8 Kent Denver 11-7 vs. No. 25 Denver Science and Technology 10-7
No. 9 Brush 11-7 vs. No 24 Buena Vista 9-10
Players to Watch: Will McKissick (Kent Denver), Jeron Petterson (Brush) 

District 3
No. 4 Lamar 15-4 vs. No. 29 Centuari 8-10
No. 13 Bayfield 14-4 vs. No. 20 Bennett 10-6
Players to Watch:  Dalton Chandler (Lamar), Tyler Geddes (Lamar), Miguel Rodriguez (Lamar), Taed Heydinger (Bayfield), Kelton McCoy (Bayfield), Brody McGhehey (Bayfield), Zane Phelps (Bayfield)

District 4
No. 5 Faith Christian 14-5 vs. No. 28 Strasburg 7-11
No. 12 Colorado Academy 14-5 vs. No. 21 Sterling 8-11
Players to Watch: Adam Buchman (Faith Christian), Gabe Hegarty (Faith Christian), Zach Lamari (Strasberg)  

District 5
No. 2 University 15-4 vs. Sky View Academy 5-12
No. 15 Peak to Peak 13-6 vs. No. 18 Sheridan 14-4
Players to Watch: Austin Danhoff (University), Beau Hawley (University), Alek Hall (Peak to Peak) 

District 6
No. Valley 13-6 vs. No. 26 Bishop Machebeuf 7-12
No. 10 Gunnison 16-2 vs. No. 23 Salida 9-10
Players to Watch: Shawn Chacon (Valley), Emilio Mendoza (Bishop Machebeuf), Bennan Smith (Gunnison), Brady Wilson (Gunnison) 

District 7
No. 3 St. Mary’s 14-5  vs. No. 30 Platte Valley 5-14
No. 14 Colorado Springs Christian 12-6 vs. No. 19 Trinidad 7-10
Players to Watch: Ben Padrnos (St. Mary’s ), Seth Crummer (Trinidad), Cameron Gumke (Trinidad) 

District 8
No. 6 Lajunta 14-5 vs. No.27 Liberty Common 7-8
No. 11 Manitou Springs 11-8 vs. No. 22 Coal Ridge 13-6
Players to Watch:  Caleb Maynard (Coal Ridge), Nathan Nelson (Coal Ridge)

Stats that Standout

Matt Burkart hit .636 with 4 homeruns and scored 40 runs.

Will McKissick led 3A with 6 homeruns.

Zane Phelps led the way with 38 RBI and added a .580 avg.

Brady Wilson swiped 30 bases on the season.

AJ Stephens, Austin Stone, Trenton Miller and Jose Mercado all threw no-hitters during the regular season.