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: Ralston Valley
Preseason Rank: 8
2016 Record: 16-8
Conference: Jefferson County
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Steve Falconi
Playoff Run: Lost to Rocky Mountain 7-3 in 5A Final 8
2016 Final Rank: 20
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Drake Davis, No. 247 overall and No. 4 CO 2017 (Arizona State)
Luke Leisenring, No. 244 overall and No.4 CO 2018 (Arizona State)
Brock Downing, No. 60 2017 (Eastern Arizona JC)
Tyler Phillips, No. 123 2017 (Nebraska Omaha)
Levi Leisenring, No. 53 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Nik Levensteins, 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Peter Carlson
Tanner Hauptman
Reed Hutchin

Stat Rat:  The Mustangs last year slugged 25 homeruns which helped propel them to the Final 8.

Bottom Line:  The Mustangs have been gradually building to a spot in the top 10.  The last four years they have qualified for post season play, but have been eliminated in the district round in 3 of the last 4 years.  In 2016, they got a taste of the 5A Final 8 tournament where they lost to Rocky Mountain 7-3.  The 2017 team is returning several players who will be able to draw on their post season run from 2016.  This is a balanced team both on the mound and at the plate, they will be led by Brock Downing who hit .346 last season, Luke Leisenring, 17 hits, 2 doubles, 2 homeruns, Levi Leisenring, .358 avg. with 24 hits, 20 RBI and Drake Davis, .343 with 24 hits and 6 doubles.  The biggest challenge for the Mustangs in 2017 will be trying to duplicate the power of last year’s team that slugged 25 homeruns.  On the mound, Ralston Valley looks to be strong, No. 247 overall 2017 and Arizona State commit Drake Davis will look to increase his workload, coming off a 2016 year with 33 innings pitched and 44 K’s.  He will be complimented on the mound by Tyler Phillips who was 4-2 last year with a 1.82 ERA.  This is a team that will be tested every game in a tough Jeffco League, but one that we expect to come out on top and challenge in the post season.