By PBR Staff

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: Air Academy
Preseason Rank: 22
2016 Record: 16-7
Conference: 4A Pikes Peak
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Doug Goldberg
Playoff Run: Lost to Windsor 3-2 in 4A Final 8 Round
2016 Final Rank: 53
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Josh Dudden, SS, No. 20 2017 (Central Arizona CC)
James Verlinde, RHP, No. 102 2017
Kyle Chase, 1B, 2017
Brenden Knopp, OF, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Sam Cregan, SS, No. 201 2017
Nick Chicchia, 3B, 2017

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Cole Mckissock
Bailey Hansen

Stat Rat:  The Kadets used 63 extra base hits and 50 stolen bases to put pressure of the opposing team in 2016.  

Bottom Line:  Air Academy looks to continue their winning ways in 2017, coming off 4 straight years of post season baseball including a Final 8 appearance in 2016, losing to Windsor 3-2.  Look for the Kadets to put another strong team on the field and be led at the plate by, Josh Dudden, .362 with 21 hits, 13 RBI and 12 stolen bases, Kyle Chase, .345 with 10 RBI and Brenden Knopp with a .333 avg. in 2016.  On the mound they will need to find an answer for the loss of Bailey Hansen who was 6-2 in 2016, but having James Verlinde back who went 5-0 last season with a 2.74 era and 28 K’s is a good start.  If the Kadets can find 1 more starter, they have the experience to once again compete in the Pikes Peak League and extend their run of post season baseball to a fifth year.