'We're No. 1': Three Northern Colorado teams top CHSAA baseball polls in latest rankings

The best baseball in the state currently resides right here in Northern Colorado.

For proof, just look at the polls.

In CHSAA's most recent high school baseball rankings, a Northern Colorado team owns the top spot in each of the three highest classifications.

Rocky Mountain is atop 5A, Windsor is No. 1 in 4A and two-time defending state champion Eaton is 3A's top-ranked squad.

Here's a look at each top-ranked team:

Rocky Mountain

Record: 9-0 (3-0 league), one of two remaining 5A unbeaten teams

The story: So far, the Lobos look the part of those vintage Rocky squads that won six state titles from 2007-17. They can do it all this season, batting .366 as a team with 8.2 runs per game while tossing four shutouts from the mound.

Ranked wins: No. 6 Mountain Vista, No. 9 Legacy, No. 11 Douglas County

Top performers:

• Clayton Alarid - .381 batting average, 4 home runs, 11 runs batted in

• Nate Eliason - .519 BA, 1 HR, 2 triples, 11 RBI

• Christian Wood - .517 BA, 1 HR, 13 RBI

• Phoenix West - .429 BA, 1 HR, 2 doubles, 7 RBI

• Brady Hall - .375 BA, 2 HR, 5 doubles, 6 RBI; 15 1/3 innings pitched, 15 strikeouts, 1.83 ERA

• Ross Frank - 21 2/3 IP, 29 Ks, 1.29 ERA

Last time out: 10-0 home win over Monarch

On deck: at Fairview (Thursday), vs. Heritage (Saturday), at Loveland (Tuesday), vs. Poudre (April 20)

Windsor

Record: 11-2 (5-1 league)

The story: Head coach Brad Deal's Windsor program has become one of the most consistent in Colorado. This year's team has a chance to be their best yet, with an explosive offense that can ignite at any time from the bats to the basepaths.

The Wizards have already tallied double-digit runs in eight games, as five players have at least 12 RBI.

Team offensive stats: .417 BA, .530 on-base percentage, 38 extra-base hits, 9 HRs

Top performers:

• Tyson Shade - .541 BA, 6 doubles, 17 RBI, 10 stolen bases

• Ethan Fillinger - .395 BA, 3 HR, 8 doubles, 17 RBI, 7 stolen bases; 10 2/3 IP, 17 Ks, 1.31 ERA

• Chase Thomas - .447 BA, 2 HR, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 12 RBI, 6 stolen bases

• Rylan Renton - .364 BA, 2 HR, 17 RBI

• Eastin Hubbard - .333 BA, 1 HR, 12 RBI; 12 IP, 8 Ks, 1.17 ERA

• Dylan Ferraro - 24 2/3 innings pitched, 33 Ks, 1.14 ERA; .385 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Last time out: 13-7 loss to Silver Creek on Monday

On deck: at Mead (Saturday), vs. Mead (Monday), vs. Centaurus (April 22), at Centaurus (April 24)

Eaton

Record: 10-0 (2-0 league)

The story: Eaton is back at it again. The Reds have won six state titles since 2008 and went back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. They've simply reloaded from within this season, with four NCAA Division I commits headlined by reigning 3A Player of the Year Walker Martin at shortstop.

So far, Eaton has mauled opposing teams, winning just once by fewer than 10 runs and putting up 13 runs per game.

Tradition continues; Eaton already has a Colorado record 13 state baseball championships.

Top performers:

• Walker Martin - .704 BA, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 6 stolen bases

• Tate Smith - .600 BA, 9 RBI; 9 IP, 21 Ks, 0.78 ERA

• Mitch Haythorn - .519 BA, 1 HR, 12 RBI; 14 IP, 36 Ks, 0.50 ERA

• Gunnar Duncan - .457 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 4 stolen bases

• Ryder True - .323 BA, 1 HR, 2 triples, 13 RBI, 3 stolen bases

• Garrett Garrison - .464 BA, 1 HR, 4 doubles, 9 RBI; 13 IP, 24 Ks, 1.08 ERA

Last time out: 12-3 road win at No. 2 University

On deck: at Highland (Wednesday), vs. Sterling (Saturday), at Res. Christian (Tuesday), vs. University (April 21), vs. Liberty Common (April 24)

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado baseball: Rocky Mountain, Windsor, Eaton all No. 1 in latest rankings