The 2020 high school baseball season gets underway this week for teams in Class 2A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 2A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are two new baseball coaches in 2A this year: Chaz Fisher (Altamont) and Max Sanders (Gunnison Valley).
Here are the 2A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
2A North
1. Duchesne Eagles
Head coach: Ryan Goodlisse (3rd year)
2019 record: 6-8 (first in 2A North with a 6-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Enterprise in 2A second round: Eliminated by Parowan in 2A one-loss bracket
Additional info not provided
2. North Summit Braves
Head coach: Brent Scholes (12th year)
2019 cecord: 5-8 (second in 2A North with a 4-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Parowan in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
3. Layton Christian Eagles
Head coach: Troy Sterk (3rd year)
2019 record: 1-7 (tied for third in 2A North with a 1-5 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Beaver in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
· Gunnar Sterk, IF, Sr.
· Preston Klenda, P/IF, Sr.
· Milton Herring, P/IF, Soph.
· Jiwahn Kim, C, Soph.
Coach comment: “We are very young again this year and will be relying on the younger guys to contribute at a higher level. Although we are young, we have some seniors and some underclassmen who’ve stepped up and provided leadership while setting the mark for work ethic and positive attitude.”
4. Altamont Longhorns
Head coach: Chaz Fisher (1st year)
2019 record: 1-7 (tied for third in 2A North with a 1-5 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to North Sevier in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
· Daxton Winn, P, Sr.
· Kayl Kynaston, 1B, Jr.
· Cash Robb, C, Jr.
· Hayden Huff, 3B, Sr.
· Mason Rust, IF, Jr.
Coach comment: “As my first year coaching, I am excited to be getting outside on the baseball field. We have a great group of boys that I am excited to be working with. We have an excitement this year and are ready to make a name for Altamont Baseball.”
2A Central
1. North Sevier Wolves
Head coach: Josh Robinson (4th year)
2019 record: 13-12 (second in 2A Central with a 6-3 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Kanab in 2A second round: Eliminated by Beaver in 2A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Burke Mickelsen, P/OF, Sr.
· Rylan Crane, P/C, Sr.
· Hunter Higgs, OF, Sr.
· Brody Butler, P/IF, Jr.
· Marshall Okerlund, P/IF, Jr.
Coach comment: “North Sevier is excited for this upcoming baseball season. We return many players from last year’s team and have a great crop of young talent ready to prove themselves this year. We expect our experienced upperclassman to lead the way offensively and defensively as we look to find some postseason success.”
2. Gunnison Valley Bulldogs
Head Coach: Max Sanders (1st year)
2019 record: 20-8 (first in 2A Central with a 9-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Enterprise in 2A quarterfinals: Eliminated by Kanab in 2A one-loss bracket
Additional info not provided
3. Millard Eagles
Head coach: Jeremy Teeples (20th year)
2019 record: 10-10 (third in 2A Central with a 3-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Enterprise in 2A first round
Returning contributors:
· Shade Woodard, P/SS, Sr., .383 BA/.486 OBP/20 SB
· Austin Burraston, OF/1B, Sr., .299 BA/.368 OBP
Coach comment: “We’re looking forward to a fun year. The three seniors will be relying on several underclassmen to grow up fast. However, with great chemistry and a hard work ethic we will continue to get better throughout the season.”
4. Monticello Buckaroos
Head coach: Steve Draper
2019 record: 0-12 (fourth in 2A Central with a 0-9 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Kanab in 2A first round
Additional info not provided
2A South
1. Kanab Cowboys
Head coach: Mason Fox (16th year)
2019 record: 13-11 (second in 2A South with a 5-3 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Milford in 2A quarterfinals: Eliminated by Milford in 2A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Sam Orton, Sr.
· Hoss Houston, Sr.
· Carter Jackman, Sr.
· Trey Chatterley, Sr.
· Derek Houston, Jr.
· Drew Hafen, Jr.
· CJ Maddox, Jr.
Coach comment: “Kanab has some proven and tested seniors and juniors returning and we are excited to work on having another great year.”
2. Beaver Beavers
Head coach: Daniel Carter (2nd year)
2019 record: 12-8 (fourth in 2A South with a 3-5 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Milford in 2A second round: Eliminated by Gunnison Valley in 2A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
- Ryker Albrecht, Sr., C/P
- Jaren Bradshaw, Sr., P/IF
- McCoy Smith, Sr., OF/IF
- Alex Hollingshead, Sr., OF
- Crayton Hollingshead, Jr., IF/P
- Treyson Hunter, Jr., IF
Coach comment: “Beaver High School baseball is really excited about this year. We have a solid team returning from last year and some very talented players. Our pitching is deep and we have some strong arms that pitched a lot for us last year. Big things are expected from us this year. We play in a very tough region with some great teams.”
3. Enterprise Wolves
Head coach: Kyle Bundy (13th year)
2019 record: 16-10 (third in 2A South with a 4-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Milford in 2A championship: Eliminated by Milford in 2A championship
Returning contributors:
· Levi Randall, P/CF, Sr.
· Jaron Sanderson, P/3B, Sr.
· Kayden Stauffer, P/C, Sr.
· Mathew Bowler, SS/P, Jr.
· Hunter Tullis, P/UTIL, Jr.
Coach comment: “The southern region will be packed and tight and 1-5 could make a lot of noise in the end. As always, it will be a dogfight, every game. With a bunch of good, solid pitchers from every region school, North Sevier, and Gunnison, nothing will be easy for anyone. Let the fun begin.”
4. Milford Tigers
Head coach: Tyler McMullin (11th year)
2019 record: 20-6 (first in 2A South with a 6-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Enterprise in 2A semifinals: Beat Enterprise in 2A championship
Returning contributors:
· Bryson Barnes, CF/P, Sr., Last year’s 2A MVP, 4-year starter
· Zach Sherwood, P/1B/3B, Sr., 3-year starter
· Bret Beebe, C/P/OF, Jr., 3-year starter
· Heston Sullivan, SS/2B/P, Jr.
Coach comment: “We’ve got some good starting pitching coming back. Replacing six seniors from last year’s team is going to be hard. We’ve got some underclassmen from last year’s team that were able to get some varsity experience last year and hopefully that helps them transition into full-time varsity starters. We will be working on building more depth in our pitching staff all season. Also, it will be interesting to see how the RPI affects the baseball season this year.”
5. Parowan Rams
Head coach: Jed Townsend (2nd year)
2019 record: 10-12 (fifth in 2A South with a 2-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Gunnison Valley in 2A second round: Eliminated by Kanab in 2A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Grayson Robb, P/OF, Sr.
· Nick Goodman, P/IF, Jr.
· Nate Townsend, P/IF, Jr.
· Shaydon Benson, P/OF, Soph.
· Max Topham, P/C, Jr.
Coach comment: “PHS has several returning starters coming back this year. We have a confident pitching staff with live arms. We’re athletic with a good mix of speed and power. We have a lot to prove and cannot wait to start the season.”