BY BRIAN ROTH

We are now down to the final four teams in Class 5A baseball and Rocky Mountain is in control.  Not that it should surprise anyone.  This is familiar territory for the two-time defending champions. In both 2007 and 2008, Rocky went undefeated in the first weekend of the Championship Series and went on to collect the hardware.  Again, not a surprise, not only because the Lobos were far and away the best team the last two years, but because of this:

Whichever team can go undefeated in the first weekend has a huge advantage over the other three semifinalists.

In fact, since CHSAA went to the double elimination, Championship Series format in 2003, every 5A team that has gone undefeated in the first weekend of play has gone on to win state. Additionally, three of the past four champions have gone undefeated throughout the Championship Series (Rocky in 2007, Columbine in 2006, and Grand Junction in 2005).  The reason for this is two-fold. First, the undefeated team from the first weekend is guaranteed a spot in the championship game.  Secondly, that team can win a championship by playing just two games.  In other words, they can throw their number-two pitcher in a championship deciding game.  None of the other three teams have that benefit - all would have to play three games in just two days - and would be forced to use a third starting pitcher in a championship deciding game.  Quite an advantage in high school, where rarely does a team have three legit starting pitchers.

So, does that mean CET is crowning the Lobos champions already?  Not yet......but it would be a good bet.  It sets up well for Rocky.  Rampart is tough.  We have seen them twice on CET Sports and they have proven they belong among the state's best. But, even if the Rams beat the Lobos in the semifinals on Friday, Rocky Mountain would automatically advance to the 5A title game on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.  They would then have either Marco Gonzales or Bryan Peters (who has never lost a high school game on the mound) waiting to face a team playing for the second time in a day, third time in two days. Cherry Creek, who most believe is the biggest threat to upend the Lobos, has to play Mountain Vista in a semifinal game.  Despite beating the Golden Eagles 15-1 in an early season game and hitting pitcher Eric Anderson hard, this will be a different game for the Bruins.  We saw the Missouri-bound Anderson shut down Green Mountain last Friday and something tells me he, along with the rest of the Golden Eagles, want another crack at Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek is loaded and has two outstanding pitchers is Tito Nava and Alex Blackford - one of which will face Mountain Vista on Friday - but, as stated above, they will need a good starting performace out of someone other than Nava or Blackford to win their first state championship since 1999.

Don't forget, we will have the 5A state championship game on CET. The game will air on Tuesday, May 19th at 8:00pm.  Irv Brown and I will have the call.

Feedback may be made via e-mail to: brian@ispn.tv