Granada certainly faced a tough situation, trailing by four runs entering the top of the seventh inning in the Class A state baseball championship against rival Eads last year.

It was the second game in a row that the Bobcats were down to their last at-bat, but both times they responded. In the title game, they scored four runs to tie it, only to watch as Adam Watts’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning beat them again and gave the title to Eads for the second year in a row.

Granada senior Tyndan Marquez was a member of both teams that lost to Eads and said the loss last year was more difficult to handle.

“Last year by far was tougher,” Marquez said. “For us being down and coming back, we had all the momentum going into the final inning and then they got a walk, then a hit and then the blooper that won it for them.”

With the graduation of all-state pitcher Danny Morales, Granada coach Manuel Gonzales envisions Marquez stepping into the role of ace.

“I hope that he can,” Gonzales said. “I think that he can be one of the top pitchers in the state and carry us a long ways with his knowledge and experience of the game.”

With eight starters back, and Eads having lost a lot of quality players to graduation, this could be the year for the Bobcats to win their first state title since 1995.

“We think that it is, but we still have teams out there like Caliche and Haxtun,” Marquez said. “We have a lot of people rallying around us telling us that it’s our year to win the title.”

For Caliche coach Jason Santamosos, the way his team lost in in the state semifinals to Granada last season brought up some old memories.

With the bases loaded and two out, a hard shot was hit to first baseman Justin Jones, who made a diving attempt. The ball ricocheted to Caliche second baseman Corey Shumpf, who threw it back to Jones at first, but Jones was off the base.

As this went on, the winning run scored from second base, giving Granada a 4-3 victory.

Flash back to 2004, when Santamosos was coaching at Merino and his team was in the state semifinals, playing Las Animas and leading 3-1 in the seventh.

“The exact same thing happened in that game, except that it happened with our second baseman and shortstop,” Santamosos said. “The ball was hit to our shortstop, which deflected off of him to the second baseman, and he just missed touching second base and the winning run scored. We lost by the same score, and it even happened on the same field.

“I might tell my team, if we get back to Pueblo and have to play on that field, I’m staying home,” Santamosos said, jokingly.

CLASS A TOP 5

1. Granada: The two-time state runner-up returns eight starters but will have to find an ace.

2. Caliche: A crazy play in the state semifinals denied the Buffaloes a shot at the title, but with eight players back, this could be their year.

3. Haxtun: The Bulldogs return their entire lineup and have a good shot to make it to the championship game for the first time since 2006.

4. Idalia: The Wolves made it to the state semifinals last season with a young team; now a year older and with seven starters back, the title could be within reach.

5. Eads: The two-time defending state champion lost the pitcher and player of the year but will have the core of its lineup back.

Consensus district picks: Nucla (District 1), Community Christian (District 2), Granada (District 3), Caliche (District 4).

TOP PLAYERS BY POSITION

Player, School, Year

PITCHERS

Sterling McDonald, Idalia, So.

Tyndan Marquez, Granada, Sr.

Sam Rotbart, Herzl/RMHA, Jr.

Taylor Reed, Eads, Jr.

Trent Smith, Community Christian, So.

CATCHERS

Dustin Bohlander, Granada, Sr.

Kendall Kroeger, Haxtun, Sr.

Bo Wertz, Stratton, Sr.

INFIELDERS

3B Austin Adamson, Eads, Jr.

SS Justin Guynes, Dove Creek, Jr.

3B Richard Hernandez, Holly, So.

SS Jordan Rittenhouse, Idalia, Sr.

2B Ramon Saenz, Holly, Sr.

3B Spencer Schmidt, Stratton, Sr.

SS Rafe Schroder, Baca County, Jr.

SS Tyler Smith, Community Christian, Sr.

1B Tyson Thrall, Granada, Jr.

SS Derek Weingart, Caliche, Sr.

OUTFIELDERS

Matt Ramirez, Haxtun, Sr.

Landon Shaffer, Idalia, So.

Ty Spangler, Nucla, Sr.

Adam Watts, Eads, Jr.

Cody Zink, Caliche, Sr.

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