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: Bayfield
Preseason Rank: 41
2014 Record: 18-5
Conference: Intermountain
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Jonathan Qualls
Playoff Run: Lost to Valley 2-0 in 3A State Championship Round
2015 Final Rank: 39
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Kelton McCoy, C, No. 55 2016
Zane Phelps, 3B, No. 59 2016
Taed Heydinger, RHP/OF, No. 109 2016
Brody McGhehey, OF/RHP, No. 130 2016

X-FACTOR:
The Wolverines experience will have to be a factor to help carry them in 2016. McCoy and Phelps have started on the varsity since freshman year, and Heydinger and McGhehey will be entering their 3rd year as starters.  

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Mathew Knickerbocker: Graduated 

STAT RAT:
The Wolverines outscored their opponents a whopping 249 to 58 until they reached the Final 8 when they were outscored 4 to 7 in two games. They will need to find a way during the year to replicate the tough pitching they will eventually face later in the season.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Bayfield Wolverines were primed to make run at the 3A State Championship entering the 3A Final 8 round with a 18-3 record, only to go two an out losing a tough 10 inning game 5-4 to University, and then losing 2-0 to Valley. However the Wolverines return their own version of a "Core Four" in 2016. Starting with Kelton McCoy, the 2016 catcher was a force at the plate in 2015. McCoy lead all Colorado players at all levels with 11 homeruns, and was 2nd among all players at all levels with 51 RBI's while also hitting .561. McCoy also got some time on the mound pitching 18 innings with a 1-1 record. 2016 3B Zane Phelps put up 3A triple crown type of numbers as a sophomore, and returned as a junior in 2015 and was equally as productive hitting .493 with 33 RBI's and 4 home runs. Phelps also pitched 24 inings going 2-2 with a 1.44 ERA. 2016 RHP/OF Taed Heydinger will return as the No. 1 option on the mound. In 2015 he was 6-1 with a 1.28 ERA in 38 innings striking out 64. Heydinger will also be a plate-setter at the top of the lineup hitting .415 in 2015 while also stealing 11 bases and scoring 24 runs. 2016 OF Brody McGhehey hit .411 in 2015 and scored 34 runs. McGhehey also logged 24 innings on the mound going 3-0. There will be other players who will have to step up to balance out the Wolverine lineup, but these four players can do enough damage to carry them back to the 3A State Championship Round and maybe this year they get the crown.

 

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