Being the only Class 4A team in a 5A league, Rock Canyon High
School baseball tries to bring an attitude to the field for every
game.
In the process, the team has created an identity for itself of
being able to grind back from a deficit and adjust to an opponent’s
offense. One recent example being Continental League action against
Mountain Vista April 9 at Vista in Highlands Ranch. The Golden
Eagles led the Jaguars in its early innings 5-0, but Canyon fought
back to keep Vista from posting another run and scoring three of
there own in the process.
“We always have tried to come out with an attitude and try not
to be this little dog in a big-dog world,” said Gary Davis, who
pitched all seven innings against Vista. “We try to be the big dog
in everything. We try to be the bigger team.
“We always try to generally adjust, but sometimes it doesn’t
always go our way early. We always want to come out 100 percent,
but sometimes we come out laggish, like we did [against Vista]. I
think we adjusted and kept our composure. I think everyone stepped
up and finally made some D.”
Last season, Rock Canyon finished with a 12-9 overall record,
6-6 in the league. The Jags made an appearance in the Class 4A
state championship Sweet 16 but lost to the eventual title winners
Cheyenne Mountain in an 8-inning 8-7 finale.
Under the coaching of Tyler Munro, this third season at Rock
Canyon and 10th year head-coaching overall, the Jaguars return,
along with Davis, Tanner Krietemeier, Reid Carter, Erik Wetzel,
Drew Sandlin and Steve Rodriguez, all of whom are seniors and most
of whom are three-years starters with the team.
Krietemeier, a starting pitcher and center fielder, received an
all-conference nod last season. He has signed a letter of intent to
continue his career after high school at the NCAA Division I level
with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Carter was a second-team all-conference selection in 2008. He is
also a starting pitcher and outfielder and is headed to the
Division II level to play for University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Wetzel returns as the team’s shortstop and signed a commitment
to play D-II for the University of West Florida, while Davis, also
a pitcher and outfielder, signed to play NAIA for Briar Cliff
University in Iowa.
Sandlin covers third base for the Jags and will play football
for Fort Lewis College after graduation, while Rodriguez, a
two-year starter, keeps his eyes open in the outfield.
Munro said seniors Bubba Campbell, Charlie Newton and Austin
Enterline should also have a say on the success of the season this
year, leaving Rock Canyon the ability to have a senior start in
every position.
One benefit for Canyon playing in a 5A league is learning over
the past few years to compete at a 5A level itself; something
they’d like every opponent to see.
“We come out and compete,” Davis said. “At least that’s what I
hope they see. Everyone has their opinion that their team is the
best, but I hope they say we came out and competed.”
As the Jags continue to find their footing in league play so far
this season, carrying an 0-2 record (8-2 overall) after the losses
to Highlands Ranch and Vista, finding strength in their batting
lineup from top to bottom is a priority.
“We seem to be hitting well 1-5. We really need to try and step
it up after that. I’m not saying there aren’t good hitters there,
but it needs to be better during big-time game situations,” Davis
said. “But that’s something we all need to do. We all need to step
up and be the hero when it’s time to be a hero.”
