2023 CHSAA Season Preview: Rifle HS

The Colorado high school season is nearing quickly, and we're here to cover it. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we'll publish our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Colorado Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team: Rifle
League: Western Slope
2022 Record: 20-5 / 9-3 Conference
Classification: 4A
Head Coach: Troy Phillips
Years at the Helm: 27

OUTLOOK:
This is a Rifle program coming off of an exceptional 2022 season, but they did lose five starting seniors from that team. However, the Bears are still returning some elite players like senior Austin Bowlan (set school record with 0.92 ERA in 61 IP) and Logan Gross. Logan also set school records last year with an incredible .597 average, 1.659 OPS, and 30 stolen bases (he also belted six homers). These two carriers could help the Bears get back to the state playoffs in 2023, and they also have a tenured head coach in Troy Phillips, who should have these guys ready to play. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Seniors:

Austin Bowlan: P/SS/2B
25 GP, .349 BA, .964 OPS, 31 RBI, 7 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 11 SBs
12 APP, 61 IP, 0.92 ERA, 9-1, 68 Ks

Kade Street: C/P
25 GP, .390 BA, .968 OPS, 25 RBI, 9 2B

Connor Abbott: OF
19 GP, .362 BA, .933 OPS, 10 RBI, 5 2B, 1 HR, 8 SBs

Ryan Thomas: UTL

Juniors:

Logan Gross: P/SS
25 GP, .597 BA, 1.659 OPS, 29 RBI, 6 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 30 SBs
12 APP, 35.2 IP, 4.71 ERA, 4-1, 40 Ks

Charlie Sprenger: 2B

Braydon Duncan: 1B/OF

Michael Slappey: OF

Impact Underclassmen:

Josh Wright: 3B/C/OF
10 GP, .333 BA, .795 OPS, 4 RBI

Robbie Magnuson: OF/C

Yahir Marques: OF

Joey Spritzer: OF/P

Ryder Bjurstrom: OF/P

Make sure to follow @pbrcolorado on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.