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Preseason Countdown: No 20 Grand Junction Central

March 12, 2015

By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Grand Junction Central
Preseason Rank: 20
2014 Record: 15-6
Conference: Southwestern
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Chuck Yost
Playoff Run: Lost to Chatfield 4-2 in District Championship Game
2014 Final Rank: 16
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
Jeremy Champlin, INF/RHP, 2015
Andrew Martinez, OF/C, 2015
Alex Schaneman, MIF, 2015
Brandon Martinez, OF, 2015
Seth Krebill, RHP, 2015
Cole Rupe, 1B, 2015
Wyatt McElwain, OF, 2015
Trey Garcia, 3B/RHP, 2016
Tanner Huskey, SS/3B, 2016
Hunter Kelchner, RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR:
The Warriors are an experienced talented team who lost a close game in the District Championships in 2014 to Chatfield 4-2. The X-Factor for them with all of their seniors is to stay focused as they wait to get to Saturday Districts, then having the pitching to get them to the Final 8.   

NEW PLAYER TO WATCH:
Hunter Kelchner, RHP, 2017: 6-4 220 pounds. Shows a strong arm on the mound. Will look to be in the starting rotation in 2015

KEY PLAYER LOST:
Michael Price: Graduated

STAT RAT:
In 2014 the Warriors struck out 154 batters. Graduated pitcher Michael Price had over half of them (80)

BOTTOM LINE: 
The Warriors were a real good team that flew under the radar in 2014. They return 8 starters and 5 pitchers to the mix, and will be a team that will be in discussion of making the 5A Final 8 in 2015. 2015 Infielders Jeremy Champlin and Alex Schaneman return. The do it all Champlin hit .385 in 2014 with 17 runs scored. Champlin recently impressed the PBR Colorado staff with his skills at the Preseason All-State Event on 3/1. Schaneman hit .348 in 2014 scoring 16 runs. The Warriors return their starting OF from 2014. 2015's Andrew Martinez, Brandon Martinez, and Wyatt McElwain combined for 47 RBI's in 2014. Andrew Martinez hit .358, Brandon Martinez hit .370 and led the team with 22 runs, and McElwain showed pop with his bat hitting 2 HR. All three combined for 23 doubles. Andrew Martinez also catches. 2015 1B Cole Rupe returns hitting .340 in 2014 with 14 RBI's. 2016 infields Trey Garcia and Tanner Huskey also return. Garcia led the team in batting average at .387, and was the Warriors main run producer  with 27 RBI's and led the team with 3 HR. Seth Krebill will be the Warriors No. 1 pitcher. In 2014 he was 3-2 with a 3.20 E.R.A. throwing 39 innings with 29 k's, and 2017 RHP Hunter Kelchner should get more innings stepping into more of a starting role. As you can see the Warriors are balance everywhere with a lot of experience to compete. Look for them to be a high seed going into the 5A state districts.


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