Preseason Countdown: No. 36 Dakota Ridge

By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Dakota Ridge
Preseason Rank: 36
2015 Record: 9-10
Conference: Jeffco
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Jeff Legault
Playoff Run: NA
2015 Final Rank: 79
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
Bailey Collins, OF/LHP, No. 19 2016 (Concordia)
Ty Lightley, 2B/RHP, No. 44 2016  (Garden City)
Ryan Faircloth, OF, No. 66 2016
Peyton Turner, RHP, 2016
Thomas Nagel, RHP/3B, No. 126 2016
Kyle Derr, C, 2016
Tony Carrassco, C, 2016
Carter Akerfeldt, RHP, No 11 2017

X-FACTOR:
Last year the Eagles had a lot of players that were expected to perform at a higher level but had down years. If the Eagles get the production they expect from these players they will be favorites to win the 5A Jeffco League

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT
Jake Starkey, INF, No. 63 2017
Jake Collins, C/INF, 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Doug Case: Graduated

BOTTOM LINE:  
Head Coach Jeff Legault is the only head coach Dakota Ridge has had since the school opened in 1996, and he will be entering his 20th season with a team that will have high expectations of a deep 5A playoff run. The Eagles can hit, and they return a lot of experience from 2014. Starting with 2016 OF Bailey Collins. Collins is one of the better outfielders in the state. In 2014 he hit .426, scored 29 runs drove in 25 RBI's and hit 6 HR for an impressive 1.476 OPS, but as a junior he took a step backwards hitting .319 while only driving in 10 runs. INF/P Ty Lightley will be called upon to pitch (mid 80's fb, and play 2B but they will need more production from the athletic MIF. Lightly hit .236 in 2015.  2016 OF Ryan Faircloth had a great 2015. Faircloth was the offesnsive star for the Eagles. Faircloth hit .500 and hit 2 homeruns and will be the 2-hole hitter. Faircloth also  has a mid 80's arm from the OF and covers good ground. The Eagles have depth in catching with 2016's Kyle Derr and Tyler Carassco returning for their 3rd year on varsity. Carassco can also spell 3rd base for the Eagles. Peyton Turner will be one of the anchors of the staff. In 2015 Turner was 4-3 in 45 IP striking out 35 batters.  2017 Carter Akerfeldt has one of the better 2017 arms in the state. Last year Akerfeldt was 1-1 in 17 innings pitched. Akerfeldt also added some production hitting .440 in 25 at bats. 2016 RHP Thomas Nagel could be a strong 3rd starting option on the mound. The athletic pitcher can pitch in the mid 80's, and last year pitched 22 innings for the Eagles.  The Eagles had some down years from players who were supposed to produce more in 2015. They have a lot of experience, and if they play to their capabilities they will be favorites to win the 5A Jeffco League.

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