top of page
The Continental League consists of 11 High Schools that compete in both the 5A and 4A levels. 10 of the schools compete at the 5A level and 1 at the 4A level. All 11 are located in either Douglas or Arapahoe County on the South or Southeast side of the Denver metro area.
5A Programs
Castle View HS
Sabercats (2155)
Coach: Keith
Enockson - 3rd season
Returning Starters: 3
2021 Record: 5-11
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Blake Windham - Southeast JC, Brock Cordes - Hesston College, Daniel Whisman - Otero JC, Liam Manning - George Fox Univ., Mason Woodhouse - Austin College, Nate Mondragon - Ottawa Univ., Oliver Bolduc - Cochise JC, Phil Carter - Otero JC
Players to watch: Aidan Janke (SR) C/UTIL - committed to College of Marin JC, Caleb Cancino (SR) C - committed to Mesa JC, Carter Swan (SR) SS/RHP- committed to Mesa JC, TJ Newman (SR) UTIL/RHP - committed to Garden City JC, Brooks Rodarte (JR) OF/RHP, Mason Rego (JR) CF/RHP
2022 Outlook: With strong team leaders Caleb Cancino (SR), TJ Newman (SR) and Brooks Rodarte (SR) along with a solid pitching staff led by Timothy Newman (SR) all returning in 2022 the Sabercats believe they will compete in the strongly competitive Continental League. Cancino and Rodarte, who both finished top 20 in the Continental in HRs will provide the punch in the middle of the lineup while they expect Newman to be a high OB% guy that also is a threat on the base paths. Returning pitchers Newman and Carter Swan (SR) will carry the load on the mound. Newman led the staff in IP last season while also recording the 10th most strikeouts in the Continental. Overall, exceptional athletes and strong leaders will be the difference that sets the tone for Sabercat Baseball in 2022.
Chaparral HS
Wolverines (2276)
Coach: Alan DiGiosio - 7th season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 8-8
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Aidan Lessnau - Portersville JC, Alex Upton - Augustana College Chris Medina - Lamar JC, Dylan Tyerech - Otero JC, Jason Ball - Otero JC, Tito Adames - Eureka College, TJ Rheem - Colorado Mesa Univ.
Players to watch: Andrew Isdale (SR) OF/P - committed to Univ. of Northern CO, James Lawrence (SR) OF/1B - committed to Umpqua JC, Jesse Conrad (SR) C - committed to Alan Hancock College, Nathan Pitts (SR) OF/P, Braeden Munroe (JR) CF
2022 Outlook: Chaparral will return 6 everyday players and entire pitching staff from a team that went 8-8 in the 2021 season that saw 6 losses by 2 runs or less. Coach DiGiosio felt they had a chance to win every game with a team that was young and inexperienced. Braeden Munroe (JR) will lead the charge offensively in 2022. Munroe led the team in Avg., OB%, Runs, SB, Hits and 2Bs as a Sophomore and was one of the top hitters in league. James Lawrence also returns and should hit in the middle of the lineup with pop demonstrated as a Junior. James Harbison (SR), Nick Miszuk (SR), Andrew Isdale (SR) Nathan Pitts (SR) and Dillon Volz (JR) pitched 60% of the team’s innings in 2021 and all are back for 2022. Harbison, Isdale and Pitts all posted sub 2.00 ERA in 2021 while Isdale’s 0.52 was tops in the Continental. Harbison and Isdale also both led the team in strikeouts. The Wolverines are excited about the 2022 season and believe they have a group ready to compete.
Douglas County HS
Huskies (1863)
Coach: Craig Gienger - 7th
season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 10-7
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Nathan Gutierrez - Northern Oklahoma JC, Zach Horwith - Fort Scott JC
Players to watch: Cooper Latino (SR) 3B - committed to CSU Pueblo Univ., Drew Harmon (SR)- committed to Western Nebraska JC, Jackson Kendall (SR) P - committed to Iowa Central JC, Luke Bard (SR) C/OF - committed to Houston Baptist Univ., Luke Emerson (SR) OF, Matt Strong (SR) C - committed to Dawson JC., Tucker Moore (SR) C - committed to Univ. of Missouri, Tyler Stonebraker (SR) CF, Finley Bates (JR) SS - committed to San Diego State Univ., Max Stanley (JR) P - committed to Wichita State Univ.
2022 Outlook: Coach Gienger is expecting big things from the seniors and some key players from the junior class in 2022. The team has great chemistry and a tremendous work ethic on and off the field. The Huskies are a great hitting team with the ability to score runs in bunches. Strong defensively with Finley Bates (JR) at SS and Cooper Latino (SR) playing 3B and solid pitching with Jackson Kendall (SR) and Max Stanley (JR) on the mound. Tucker Moore (SR) is expected to play a big role in the Huskies success this year as a leader behind the plate along with Tyler Stonebraker (SR), the leading hitter from last year’s team playing CF. Luke Emerson (SR) and Luke Bard (SR) the human Swiss Army Knife will round out the key positions for the Huskies.
Heritage HS
Eagles (1712)
Coach: Tyler Munro - 5th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 15-5
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Alex Champagne - Arizona State Univ., Christian Ramirez - Valley City State Univ., Dylan Otto - Hastings College, James Morehouse - Rose-Hulman, Karl Peters - San Mateo JC, Zach Gregory - Doane College
Players to watch: Luke Meyers (SR) UTIL/RHP - committed to Central Arizona JC, Mason Macias (SR) - committed to Edmonds JC, Cade Kunz (JR) LHP
2022 Outlook: The Heritage Eagles finished the 2021 season 15-5 and advanced to the Final 8 in the state tournament. Good news is 6 players from that team have returned for the 2022 season. Bad news is they did lose Alex Champagne (ASU) and Karl Peters (College of San Mateo). One of the two led the team in all offensive categories. Returner Luke Meyers (SR) will be expected to fill those big shoes but based on his Junior season he has the potential to do it. Mason Macias (SR), Hank Orr (JR) and Henry Hossfed (JR) will also be asked to play a role offensively. On the mound Meyers returned from a 7-0 season while Cade Kunz (JR) recorded a 0.93 ERA over 30 innings. Both finished top 20 in the state in strikeouts. The Eagles will be strong on the mound but the question will be if the underclassmen can live up to coach Munro’s expectation offensively
Highlands Ranch HS
Falcons (1742)
Coach: Neil Holden - 3rd season
Returning starters: 4
2021 Record: 2-14
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Nathan Kuhta - Ottawa Univ., Ryan Koschik - Northeastern Colorado JC
Players to watch: Cole Wathen (SR) SS, Max Ludwig (SR) 1B/P, Patrick Boland (SR) P, Ashton Raue (JR) 3B/P
2022 Outlook: The Falcons stumbled to their worst season in over 10 years, but Coach Neil Holden expects improvements despite playing in one of the state’s toughest leagues. Max Ludwig (SR) returns to lead the offense and also provide some speed on the bases. Cole Wathen (SR) and Ryan Toole (JR) will also be back and can help the team with big performances in 2022. With a young pitching staff last season the Falcons saw their fair share of struggles but now that Ashton Raue (JR) and Enric Kephart (JR) have a year under their belt things should improve. Highlands Ranch won’t be explosive and need to develop young players, but there’s potential for a formidable season.
Rock Canyon HS
Jaguars (2220)
Coach: Alan Dyer - 3rd season
Returning starters: 8
2021 Record: 9-9
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Cade Nelson - Gateway JC, Owen Stalnaker - Phoenix JC, Zach Taylor - San Mateo JC
Players to watch: Liam Hohenstein (SR) CF/RHP - committed to Colorado Mesa Univ., Tyler Caughlin (SR) INF, Zac Chapman (SR) 1B/LHP, Chase Jaworsky (JR) SS, Eric Hagner (JR) INF, JT Shank (JR) UTIL/RHP, Sean Barta (JR) OF/RHP, Adam Smith (SO) INF/RHP, Austin Bowker (SO) OF/RHP
2022 Outlook: The Jaguars will lean on a strong junior class that Coach Dyer hopes will mature early. 8 starters and 17 varsity lettermen return from a team that went 9-9 and finished in the middle of the pack in the Conti nental league. Rock Canyon was young last season playing 6-7 sophomores/freshmen at times that now have a year of experience. Returning are CF Liam Hohenstein (SR) and SS Chase Jaworsky (JR) who both provide power and speed offensively. The team’s main concern entering 2022 will be pitching, losing 3 arms to graduation. Filling those shoes will be L. Hohenstein and Michael Merkle (SR) but with minimal innings pitched from 2021. Coach Dyer thinks his team is primed to take the next step with 8 starters returning.
Legend HS
Titans (2119)
Coach: Scott Boyd - 5th season
Returning starters: 9
2021 Record: 9-8
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Kyler Carpenter - Tyler JC, Wyatt Hough - Umpqah JC
Players to watch: Aaron Kidd (SR) UTIL - committed to Regis Univ., Braden Doumer (SR) C - committed to Air Force, Jack Briest (SR) OF - committed to Air Force, Kai Wagner (SR) INF - committed to Univ. of Tennessee, Max Meuli (SR) INF - committed to Butler JC, Ty Kennedy (SR) UTIL - committed to Washington St. Univ., Braden Pfeffer (JR) UTIL, Conner Boyd (JR) UTIL, Dom Christinzio (JR) LHP, Gavin Hasche (JR) RHP - committed to Boston College, Nate Hopkins (JR) UTIL, Noah Kenney (JR) UTIL, Reese Wagner (JR) RHP, Jack Perotti (SO) LHP
2022 Outlook: The Titans will be strong offensively this season returning all 9 starters on a team that ranked among the states best in AVG, OB% and Slugging. Aaron Kidd (SR) and Braden Doumer (SR) destroyed high school pitching in 2021 and both will be back. Kidd led 5A in HR’s(10), Slugging%(1.132) and finished 3rd in RBIs(32). While Doumer was 2nd in AVG(.565) OB%(.677) in 5A. They will be surrounded by T. Kennedy (SR), J. Briest (SR), K. Wagner (SR) and more making this one of the scariest offensive teams in Colorado. Pitching and defense will be much improved but the overall factor on the success of the team. Max Stanley (JR) and Gavin Hasche (JR) logged the most innings from last season but need to improve after a year of Varsity experience under their belts. Coach Boyd believes in a talented group of seniors, a good group of young guys and is looking forward to a fun year.
Mountain Vista HS
Golden Eagles (2320)
Coach: Ron Quintana - 12th season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 17-5
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Trey Dunn - Westmont College, Griffin Huiatt - Washburn Univ., Jacob Schaaf - Univ. of Minnesota Morris, Michael Massa - Bethel Univ., Blake Shepardson - Regis Univ., Evan Magill - Indiana State Univ., Easton Nichols - Augustana College, Canon Humphreys - Clark College
Players to watch: Blake Young (SR) C - committed to UCSB, Connor Cholez (SR) OF/RHP - committed to College of San Mateo, Tyler Mejia (SR) 1B/LHP, Noah Baker (JR) INF, Sean Marlow (JR) UTIL - committed to Univ. of St. Thomas, Zeke Borel (JR) OF
2022 Outlook: Expectations at Mt. Vista are always high, but perhaps never higher as the Golden Eagles begin their quest for a 3rd state championship in four years (excluding 2020) behind standout Blake Young (SR) and a team that brings a good mixture of speed and power. 1B Tyler Mejia (SR) returns providing some punch in the middle of the lineup while Sean Marlow (JR) will be a threat on the bases. Defense will be solid with plenty of depth and players being able to play multiple positions. Carrying the load on the mound will be 4 arms bringing minimal varsity experience along with a few younger guys. Last year part time players Zeke Borel (JR), Noah Baker (JR) and Lou Levy (SR) will need to be impact guys this season but Coach Quintana believes the Golden Eagles will be in the mix when playoff time rolls around.
ThunderRidge HS
Grizzlies (2010)
Coach: Brad Johnson - 3rd season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 6-10
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Cade Gebhard - Webster Univ., Cale Lansville - LSU, Connor Camden - Garden City JC, Gavin Rapoza - CSU Pueblo Univ., Sam Hart - Cowley County JC, Vinve Byrne - Hastings College
Players to watch: Jack Mackert (SR) OF/1B/LHP - committed to Webster Univ., Shane Lejune-DeAcutis (SR) RHP, Bo McKee (JR) MIF, Jack Novak (JR) INF/RHP
2022 Outlook: A large hard working senior class has graduated, leaving Johnson and the coaching staff with a few hurdles for the 2022 season. They will rely on strong pitching and a force on the mound if they can live up to the expectations. Offensively the Grizzlies have a few holes to fill and need Aidan Kelley (SR), Jack Novak (JR) and Bo McKee (SR) to have big offensive seasons. If the pieces come together ThunderRidge believes they can compete versus any opponent.
4A Programs
Ponderosa HS
Mustangs (1349)
Coach: Bob Maloney - 8th season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 21-3
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Brady Ingalls - CSU Pueblo Univ., Cael Porter - CSU Pueblo Univ., Dom Lopez - Washburn Univ., Kolton Miller - CSU Pueblo Univ., Skyler Ahern - Lamar JC
Players to watch: Carson Conant (SR) OF - committed to Azusa Pacific Univ., Derek Lukes (SR) C/P - committed to Point Loma Nazarene Univ., Dylan Carey, (SR) SS/P - committed to Univ. of Nebraska, Gabe Jacobs (JR) OF/P, Ty Morse (JR) OF/P
2022 Outlook: The Mustangs rolled to a Continental league championship in 2021 and their first 4A state championship in school history. Gone are numer ous impact players who played a major role in Ponderosa’s run and the team will lean heavily on SS Dylan Carey (SR) and RHP Derek Lukes (SR) in 2022. Contributions from returning starters Carson Conant (SR), Parker Dennis (SR) and Tyler Smith (SR) are needed if the Mustangs plan on competing for back to back league championships and a deep run in the playoffs. The team’s strength will be on the mound as they return their top 5 pitchers. Lukes, Tyler Morse (JR) and Gabe Jacobs (JR) combined for 86 K’s over 107 IP. Coach Maloney expects reserve players Tate Johannsen (SR), Luke Karel (SR) and Javon Shopp (SR) to play a bigger role this season as well.
Special Thanks
to all the High School coaches that helped make this publication happen by providing league, school and player information to assist with the most accurate and comprehensive Colorado
High School Baseball publication.
Regis Jesuit HS
Raiders (1800)
Coach: Matt Darr - 8th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 12-5 2021
Srs playing at the next level: Alec Willis - 7th round/St Louis Cardinals, Braeden Williams - Birmingham Southern College, Brock Weiss - Univ. Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Dylan Tostrup - Solano JC, Mason Young - Webster Univ., Max Valdez - Mesa State Univ.
Players to watch: Brian Fischer (SR) RHP - committed to Augustana College, Brooks Gerig (SR) RHP - committed to Colorado School of Mines, Charlie Rogan (SR) 1B - committed to Wichita St. Univ., Dallas Macias (SR) SS - committed to Oregon St. Univ., Finn O’Connor (SR) 2B - committed to Rhodes Univ., Isaac Wachsmann (SR) OF - committed to Xavier Univ., Nate McHugh (SR) C - committed to Iowa Western JC
2022 Outlook: Regis could be poised for another playoff run after an early exit from postseason play in 2021. Back will be preseason MVP SS Dallas Macias (SR) and OF Isaac Wachsmann(SR) that will lead the offense. Both being 2 of the top power hitters in the state finishing in the top 20 in slugging % and hitting over .400. They will team with 1B Charlie Rogan (SR), 2B Finn O’Connor (SR) and Catcher Nate McHugh (SR) that started as juniors. Losing strikeout leader Alec Willis to the MLB draft will hurt and the Raiders do have some question marks on the mound but expect Brooks Gerig (SR) to carry the load. Brain Fischer (SR) and Jack Carey (JR) will provide support on the bump but are coming off limited varsity innings from last season. Coach Matt Darr has 109 wins over the past 8 seasons and believes this could be a special group.
bottom of page