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: Palmer Ridge
Preseason Rank: 28
2016 Record: 13-7
Conference: 4A/5A Pikes Peak 
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Peter Gordon
Playoff Run: Lost to Longmont 2-1 in 4A District Play
2016 Final Rank: 77
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS:
Brian Boatman, OF/RHP, No. 115 2017
Sam Britton, 2B/RHP, 2017
Tyler Trego, 1B, 2017
Beau Stamper, 2B/SS, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Sabastian Hayes, RHP, 2018
Daniel Dyer, LHP/1B, 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Dylan Hudson

Stat Rat:  This was a small ball team in 2016.  61 stolen bases compared to 0 homeruns.  The Bears look for ways to generate runs.

Bottom Line: The Bears are no stranger to the post season having qualified two of the last three years including a Final 8 run in 2014.  The 2017 team brings back nearly a full squad having graduated only a handful of players.  This depth and experience will serve the Bears well this spring.  Brian Boatman will be the do it all player for the Bears coming off a 2016 season which saw him hit .426 with 11 RBI and on the mound finish with a 2.71 ERA in 31 innings.  Look for Tyler Trego, .414 with 24 hits and 18 RBI and Beau Stamper, .327 with 10 RBI and 5 steals to also provide a spark for the offense.  On the mound, the Bears will also turn to Sam Britton who went 3-0 last year with 24 K's.  Looking at the roster, you might call last year a rebuilding year, this year it is an experienced roster that can make some noise in 4A.