The 2021 high school baseball season gets underway this week for teams in Class 3A. After last year’s canceled season, there’s more anticipation than ever to get the season going. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 3A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are one new baseball coach in 3A this year: Nick Sasich (Judge Memorial).
Here are the 3A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 12
1. Richfield Wildcats
Head coach: Faron Reed (fifth year)
2019 record: 25-3 (first in Region 15 with a 12-0 record)
2019 postseason: Beat Summit Academy in 3A championship
Returning contributors:
- Max Robinson, P/SS, Sr.
- Will Robinson, P/1B/3B, Sr.
- Gavin Brown, P/ CF, Sr.
- Dallin Stewart, P/ 2B/OF, Sr.
- Jaren Ross, P/3B/1B, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “Richfield is returning six seniors, nine juniors from its 2019 3A State Championship team, Region 15 Championship team. We should still be a strong competitor in the 3A classification. We have a solid defense and four stand out pitchers, our offense has explosive power and speed on the bases.”
2. Carbon Dinos
Head coach: Jeff Cisneros (eighth year)
2019 record: 11-15 (third in Region 14 with a 6-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A second round. Eliminated by Manti in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Kade Dimick, IF/P, Sr.
- Jordan Fossat, IF/P, Jr.
- Rylan Hart, IF/P, Jr.
- Keaton Rich, OF/P, Jr.
- Wyatt Falk, IF/P, Soph.
Coach’s comment: “We are all excited for the upcoming season. We lose two valuable seniors from last year’s squad, but this group is ready to make its own run. We had a great summer season at the American Legion level and it should prove big as season plays out. We have a great mix of older and younger guys and I’m excited for this season as well as the future of Carbon Baseball.”
3. San Juan Broncos
Head coach: Jens Nielson (third year)
2019 record: 12-14 (fifth in Region 15 with a 4-8 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Manti in 3A second round. Eliminated by Juab in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Maddax Lee, IF, Jr.
- Jace Johnson, C, Sr.
- Jeter Perkins, 1B, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “This year’s team will be led by four seniors. We are relatively young with varsity experience, but the potential is great This year’s group is coachable, they are ready to learn, and ready to work hard. I am excited to see what this year brings.”
4. Emery Spartans
Head coach: Rob Smith (fourth year)
2019 record: 11-12 (third in Region 15 with an 8-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A first round. Eliminated by Carbon in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Jax Madsen, OF, Sr.
- Luke Stilson, P/1B, Sr.
- Ryker Jensen, P/SS, Jr.
- Ty Stilson, C/P, Jr.
- Trevin Wakefield, P, Jr.
- Oakley Alton, P/3B, Jr.
Coach comment: “As a coaching staff we are excited about the 2021 season. We have a big junior class that is ready to work and push the seniors we have. We have great leadership and the competitive drive to accomplish a lot this year.”
5. Grand Red Devils
Head coach: Darrin Wells (second year)
2019 record: 6-14 (tied for sixth in Region 15 with a 2-10 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Juab in 3A first round. Eliminated by Emery in 3A one-loss bracket.
Additional info not provided
6. South Sevier Rams
Head coach: Eric Baker (third year)
2019 record: 9-12 (fourth in Region 15 with a 5-7 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Union in 3A first round. Eliminated by San Juan in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Riley Barney, IF, Soph.
- Ridge Tebbs, IF/P, Soph.
- Landen Payne, IF/OF/P, Sr.
- Karson Hunt, IF/P, Sr.
- Jarin Robb, IF/P, Sr.
Coach’s comment: “We will be a very young team which means very little varsity experience. With that said, our boys are hard workers who are ready to compete. I have very high expectations for this team. There is no reason to believe that we won’t be a very competitive team.”
Region 13
1. Grantsville Cowboys
Head coach: Aaron Perkins (fourth year)
2019 record: 18-9 (first in Region 13 with a 10-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Union in 3A second round. Eliminated by Judge Memorial in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Josh Staley, Sr.
- Kaden Kelley, Sr.
- Sam Daybell, Sr.
- Blake Thomas, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “Grantsville baseball is excited about the upcoming season. We have a good group of senior leaders and underclassmen who represent our program at a high level on and off the field. We look forward to a tough preseason schedule and competing against the teams in Region 13.”
2. Judge Memorial Bulldogs
Head coach: Nick Sasich (first year)
2019 record: 14-13 (second in Region 13 with an 8-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to San Juan in 3A first round. Eliminated by Carbon in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Luke Borgmeir, P/1B, Sr.
- Alex Zang, C, Sr.
- Sanjay Kasturi, P/OF, Sr.
- Henry Frech, IF, Sr.
- Kyler Nilson, IF, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “We are excited for this season. We return a very talented and senior-heavy group that is hungry to get out on the field after losing their junior year.”
3. Summit Academy Bears
Head coach: Dan Hansen
2019 Record: 18-10 (tied for third in Region 13 with a 6-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A semifinals. Eliminated by Richfield in 3A championship.
Returning contributors:
- Christian Smith, Sr., 1B
- Keegan Jonas, Sr., C
Coach’s comment: “It’s great to be back on the field again after the pandemic robbed us all of our 2020 season — a season we at Summit Academy had very high hopes for with a senior-heavy roster (graduated nine) full of players who played so well together, making the state championship game the 2019 season when that graduating class of 2020, the core of our team, was juniors. It’s a new year and our eyes are forward. We’re excited about this year’s team, which is young and talented, featuring five sophomores who figure to be varsity starters.”
4. Morgan Trojans
Head coach: Jed Stuart (third year)
2019 record: 12-15 (tied for third in Region 13 with a 6-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Carbon in 3A first round. Eliminated by Juab in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Ryder Lish, SS/C
- Alex Harden, 1B
- Ty Birkeland, C/P
- Sage Venz, CF
- Sammy Snyder, 2B/OF
5. South Summit Wildcats
Head coach: Cooper Crystal (second year)
2019 record: 3-20 (fifth in Region 13 with a 0-12 record)
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
Returning contributors:
- Hayden Suhadolc, IF, Sr.
- Derek Allen, IF, Jr.
- Adam Eubank, P
Coach’s comment: “We have a busy schedule to start out the first two weeks of the season. With the experience of the six returning starters, I expect to see some fantastic baseball.”
6. Providence Hall Patriots
Head coach: Bryan Wolfley (second year)
2019 record: 10-14 (fourth in Region 14 with a 4-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Manti in 3A first round. Eliminated by Judge Memorial in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Jayden Lopez , CF, Sr.
- Josh Boynton, IF/P, Sr.
- Chase Marshall, SS/P, Sr.
- Rhett Wolfley, C/P, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “We are excited for the opportunity to get out and play. I think we all learned how important it is to enjoy the opportunities that we are given. I’m excited to see how do. We should have a pretty even combination of returners as well as some first-time starters.”
Region 14
1. Juab Wasps
Head coach: Brett Ludlow (sixth year)
2019 record: 22-4 (first in Region 14 with a 10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A second round. Eliminated by Union in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Dalin Ludlow, SS/RHP, Sr.
- Brayden Lawton, OF, Sr.
- Teagan Christensen, MIF, Sr.
- Tryker Greenhalgh, C, Jr.
- Easton Warren, RHP/INF, Jr.
- Porter Bowles, RHP/OF, Jr.
Coach’s comment: “We were off to a fast start in 2020, picking up several wins against bigger schools. When the call came that the season was canceled, it hit us hard like everyone. With the new season upon us and the experience from last season, this group of boys, led by a strong senior class, looks to start right where we left off last year. We are ready to get this year going. Excited to get back on the field.”
2. Union Cougars
Head coach: Matt Labrum (seventh year)
2019 record: 18-11 (second in Region 14 with an 8-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A quarterfinals. Eliminated by Summit Academy in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Zach Foote, P/INF, Sr.
- Ryne Russell, C, Sr.
- Jeff Lyon, OF/P, Sr.
- Rayden Deets, OF/P, Sr.
3. Manti Templars
Head coach: Jim Nelson (11th year)
2019 record: 16-8 (second in Region 15 with a 9-3 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A quarterfinals. Eliminated by Union in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Jason Nelson, C/SS/P, Sr.
- Tanner Justesen, CF, Sr.
- Nathan Squire, 1B/P, Sr.
- Cody Trythall, RF, Sr.
- Jax Parry, 3B, Sr.
- Cade Cherry, LF, Sr.
Coach’s comment: “We are excited to be playing baseball again, and our coaches are surrounded with great young men. Without a season last year, we have very little varsity experience. We will have pitchers from all four grades throw in varsity games. We have players competing for every position. We are always excited to see how much we can improve from March to May, and this year will be no different.”
4, American Leadership Eagles
Head coach: Dustin Johnson (fourth year)
2019 record: 0-19 (sixth in Region 14 with a 0-10 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Grantsville in 3A first round. Eliminated by South Sevier in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Dillon Holt, UTIL/P, Sr.
- Braydon Johnson, OF/1B/P, Jr.
- Ethan Ward, C, Jr.
- Jaeger Nelson, P/1B/3B, Jr.
- Morgan Fleenor P/OF Jr.
- Daysun Cuthill SS/P Jr.
- Austin Smalley P/OF Soph.
Coach’s comment: “We are excited at ALA to get the season started and begin competing. We have a solid core of juniors who have competed over the years and are ready to step up and help ALA battle for our first winning season in program history. Adding in our contributing seniors and younger class players this team is different than any other I have coached. I expect big things for them this spring after a very impressive summer and fall off season program.”
5. Delta Rabbits
Head coach: Cory Webb (ninth year)
2019 record: 4-15 (fifth in Region 14 with a 2-8 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A first round. Eliminated by Morgan in 3A one-loss bracket.
Returning contributors:
- Wayland Crane, Jr.
- Josh Jackson, Jr.
- Austin Topham, Sr.
- Hayden Stefenoff, Sr.
- Hunter Peterson, Jr.
6. North Sanpete Hawks
Head coach: Dan Christensen
2019 record: 4-17 (tied for sixth in Region 15 with a 2-10 record)
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
Additional info not provided