By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director 

32 teams were in action on Saturday at 8 District sites.  Teams have to win 2 games in this single elimination format to advance to the round of 8.  Prep Baseball Report takes a look at the teams who reached the Final 8 and the road they took to get there.

District 1:
The Rocky Mountain Lobos will head to the Final 8 after putting up 16 runs in their 2 games and winning District 1 on Saturday.   

Rocky Mountain 7 Fruita 1
Austin Alarid led the way for the Lobos going 7 strong innings giving up 2 hits, 1 run and struck out 12.  Jadon Uhrich provided the offensive spark going 2-3 with 1 run, 2 RBI and 1 homerun.

Rocky Mountain 9 Pine Creek 7
It was the Brendan Paul show in game two for the Lobos who went 4-4 with 4 runs and 6 RBI including 1 double and 2 homeruns. 

District 2:
The Mustangs use good pitching and timely hitting to win their way into the final 8 and capture District 2.

Mullen 3 Prairie View 0
Andrew Nuanes shut down Prairie View from the mound going 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 5.  Jake Barr led the way at the plate going 2-3 with 1 run scored.

Mullen 7 Monarch 5
7 different Mustangs had hits in this game including Joey Salvato who was 1-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI and Rocco Porreco who also went 1-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

District 3:
Cherokee Trail the 13 seed in this tournament took care of business against Broomfield and then pulled the upset of the #4 seed Heritage to move on to the Final 8. 

Cherokee Trial 8 Broomfield 3
The Cougars had big performances at the plate from Eric Cox who was 2-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI and Michael Morris who went 1-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI.

Cherokee Trail 2 Heritage 1
Conner Nanatkes was dominant on the mound going all 7 innings giving up 4 hits, 1 run and striking out 6.  Nick Perez provided the offensive spark going 1-2 with 1 RBI and a triple. Heritage also had a great pitching performance from 2018 RHP Riley Egloff who struck out 11 batters in the contest.

District 4:
The Eagles slugged their way past the Wolverines before turning to timely pitching and hitting in the Championship games against Bear Creek to advance to the Final 8.

Dakota Ridge 14 Chaparral 8
The Eagles were led by Thomas Nagel who was 2-4 with 1 run and 4 RBI and Carter Akerfelds who went 4-4 with 4 runs and 4 RBI.

Dakota Ridge 6 Bear Creek 2
In game two, Kyle Derr led the way at the plate for the Eagles going 2-2 with 3 RBI and a double and on the mound, Carter Akerfelds and Bailey Collins combined to throw a 3 hitter and strike out 6. 

District 5:
The Bruins find themselves in a familiar spot in the Final 8, having arguably the most impressive two game run out of all 5A teams on Saturday.

Cherry Creek 11 Grand Junction 0
The Bruins saw big offensive performances from Cody Schultz who went 2-4 with 1 run and 3 RBI and Tanner O’Tremba who was 2-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI.  Javis Steward led the way on the mound going 4 innings scattering 6 hits and striking out 6.

Cherry Creek 11 Regis Jesuit 0
Carter Van Gytenbeek was the story on the mound for the Bruins, going 4.1 innings giving up 0 hits, 0 runs and striking out 5.  At the plate, Tanner O’Tremba continued a hot day going 3-4 with 1 run and 2 RBI and 1 homerun and Reid Weber went 2-3 with 1 run and 3 RBI. 

District 6:
ThunderRidge relies on good pitching and sound offense and used the same formula on Saturday to win two games and advance to the Final 8.

ThunderRidge 7 Chatfield 0
Jake Eissler set the tone for the day on the mound going 7 innings, giving up 3 hits, 0 runs and he struck out 8 Chargers.  At the plate, Phil Ferguson went 2-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI and Jake Haze was 3-4 with 2 RBI.

ThunderRidge 4 Fort Collins 3 (11 Innings)
Brody Perkins was the hero with his walk off single in the 11^th giving him a 4-5 day and the game winning RBI.  Anthony Camacci came in to throw 5 scoreless innings only giving up 2 hits and striking out 5. 

District 7:
The Mustangs and 19 seed, out scored their two opponents 21-15 to advance to the Final 8.

Ralston Valley 8 Legacy 6
The Mustangs were led by Peter Carlson who was 3-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBI and Levi Leisenring went 2-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI. 

Ralston Valley 13 Legend 9
Josh Robinson was the spark in game 2 for the Mustangs going 3-4 at the plate with 3 runs and 4 RBI. 

District 8:
The Wolves who are making another appearance in the Final 8 came from behind twice to win their two games on Saturday.

Grandview 4 Douglas County 3
The Wolves were led by Travis Parker who was 3-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI and Zach Sundine who went 2-4 with 2 RBI.

Grandview 5 Columbine 2
Tyler Smith was the offensive spark, going 2-3 with 2 RBI and Cade Crader settled in after giving up 2 in the first inning to go all 7 giving up 6 hits, 2 runs and he struck out 3.