The Southwestern League consists of 5 high schools that compete at both the 5A and 4A classification. Fruita Monument, Grand Junction and Grand Junction Central all compete at the 5A level while Durango and Montrose are 4A. The league is located on the Western to Southwestern part of the state.
5A Programs
Fruita Monument HS
Wildcats (1827)
Coach: Ray McLennan - 15th season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 11-5
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - Andrew Jordan (SR) P/OF, Jack Dere (SR) OF
2022 Outlook: The Wildcats will lean on Jack Dere (SR) in 2022 as they shoot for their 7th straight league championship and 8th straight playoff berth. J. Dere returns after hitting .464 a year ago and leading the team in RBI's but will need some help from Peyton Nessler (SR) and Joel Lively (SR) in the lineup if they want to keep their league championship streak alive and make a run in the playoffs. Fruita lost both arms from 2021 to graduation and will ask Andrew Jordan (SR) to carry the load this season. A. Jordan recorded 14 IP last season but the big question is who else will make up the remainder of the pitching staff and how effective they will be. Picked as the preseason champs the Wildcats have what it takes but will be pushed by league opponents Montrose and Durango.
Grand Junction HS
Tigers (1552)
Coach: Will Dixon - 2nd season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 7-10
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - Cam Ochoa (JR) INF, P
2022 Outlook: 2nd year coach Will Dixon will lean on Southwestern League preseason MVP and COBSBL Top 25 Junior in the state Cam Ochoa both offensively and on the mound in 2022. The Tigers have punched their ticket to the post season the last few seasons but have struggled once getting there. Coach Dixon believes this years team has the ability to compete for a league championship and win in the playoffs but he will need C. Ochoa to build on his sensational sophomore season and production from Kaden Manchester (SR) and Jase Satterfield (JR) offensively for that to happen. On the mound someone will have to contribute besides C. Ochoa and that could be Ben Coleman (JR) but with minimal varsity experience it's hard to tell. The Tigers have their work cut out for them but with a player like Cam Ochoa and his leadership anything is possible.
Grand Junction
Central HS
Warriors (1514)
Coach: Chuck Yost - 16th season
Returning starters: 8
2021 Record: 5-11
2021 Srs graduated: Triston Nostrand - Otero JC
Players to watch: None committed - Luke Brown (SR) 1B/P, Jayvin Martinez (JR) P, Ryland Nostrand (SO) SS/RHP
2022 Outlook: The Warriors were young last season and their struggles continued as they just won 5 games overall and 1 league game. The good news for Coach Yost is he returns 7 starters and his entire pitching staff so theirs plenty of experience which should result in more success on the field. Luke Brown (SR) led the offense last year and is expected to do the same again along with freshman sensation from 2021 Ryland Nostrad (SO). R. Nostrad, also is expected to be the teams ace on the mound with Jayvin Martinez (JR) and L. Brown rounding out this strong pitching staff. The teams strength will be pitching and if they can put together a solid offensive attack watch out for the Warriors in 2022.
4A Programs
Durango HS
Demons (1187)
Coach: Rob Coddington - 11th season
Returning starters: 2
2021 Record: 14-3
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Cal Walsh - Mesa JC, Elias Fiddler - Lamar JC, Gage Mestas - Pima JC, Niko Mestas - Scottsdale JC
Players to watch: None committed - Chase Robertson (SR) INF, Jordan Stanley (SR) OF
2022 Outlook: The Demons will be a young team in 2022 losing 7 starters to graduation. Seniors Chase Robertson (SR) and Jordan Stanley (SR) will not only be expected to produce on the field but provide leadership in the clubhouse as well. C. Robertson led the team in hitting last season which was also 2nd best in league while J. Stanley is the only returning pitcher with any varsity experience. Even though all top pitchers from 2021 graduated and moved on Coach Coddington still expects the pitching staff to be very competitive and a team strength. JJ Hoerl (JR), Tanner Coddington (JR), Tagert Bardin (JR) and AJ Folk (JR) were effective pitchers at the JV level and should continue on varsity. Michael Benner (JR) and Gavin Hamlin (JR) have no varsity experience but have the ability to develop into strong varsity hitters. Durango is traditionally a playoff team from the Western Slope and is always coached well by Coach Coddington so don't consider 2022 a rebuilding year for these guys.
Montrose HS
Indians (1316)
Coach: Landon Wareham - 11th season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 11-6
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - Parker Davis (SR) P, Zeke Steenburgen (SR) 1B, David Dominguez (JR) OF , Gage Wareham (SO) C, Jaxon Kattner (SO) DH
2022 Outlook: Montrose has been a playoff regular over the last 13 years advancing to post season play in all but 1 season, including 3 final 8 appearances. Unfortunately, they haven't won a league championship since 2014 but are primed this year to give Fruita Monument a run for their money. The Indians were young last season, starting 6 sophomores and freshman at times on a team that finished 3rd in league and advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. They should be well-rounded with the ability to pitch, hit and play defense well. Offensively, Montrose will be led by David Dominguez (JR) Jaxon Kattner (SO), Zeke Steenburgen (SR) and Gage Wareham (SO). While on the mound the Indians lost innings pitched leader Nolin Boone to graduation but both Parker Davis (SR) and Titus Weese (SO) are capable of being a strong #1 and #2 in 2022.
