[New post] Eaton baseball, headlined by heralded shortstop recruit Walker Martin, primed for three-peat in Class 3A
Jerry Martin posted: "Are any sportsbooks taking bets on Colorado high school baseball? If so, might want to put some cash down on Eaton.[cq comment="" ] The Reds, the two-time defending Class 3A champions and the state's all-time winningest program with 13 titles overal" Greeley Tribune
Are any sportsbooks taking bets on Colorado high school baseball? If so, might want to put some cash down on Eaton.
The Reds, the two-time defending Class 3A champions and the state's all-time winningest program with 13 titles overall, are a heavy favorite once again this spring. Loaded Eaton features four Division I players, including the state's top recruit in the Class of 2023, shortstop Walker Martin.
But there will be no resting on laurels for coach Todd Hernandez's team, despite the Reds' star-studded core.
"We want to go into this season with the hunter mentality, and we understand that because of Eaton's success that we had under Coach (Jim) Danley and then the last couple years, that we're always going to have a target on our backs," Hernandez said. "We just try to embrace that, and understand that we're going to get everybody's best shot. We feed off of that a little bit."
Martin, Eaton's Big Man On Campus, is already one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. He was the starting quarterback on Eaton's last two championship football teams, and also played on the Reds' title team as a sophomore. That gives the Arkansas baseball commit five state titles overall as he begins his final prep baseball season, and Martin's not alone in knowing how to win.
Senior right-hander Tate Smith, an Oklahoma State commit, also has five state titles. He played tight end and defensive end for the Reds' football team. Topping Martin and Smith is senior outfielder Ryder True, also a linebacker and heavyweight wrestler, who owns eight team titles in his prep career.
Throw in another Division I commit in junior right-hander Mitch Haythorn, and not only are the Reds familiar with rings, they have an embarrassment of talent compared to the majority of their 3A counterparts.
Still, Hernandez and Eaton aren't taking anything for granted, especially in a year where University (Eaton's Patriot League foe and last year's state runner-up) could challenge the Reds, as could the likes of Sterling, Colorado Academy, The Classical Academy and Faith Christian.
"We just try to impress on the kids that every year is different," Hernandez said. "Baseball is a game where anybody can beat anybody, and early on here, we're still shaking off some rust and finding our team's identity for this new season."
Tate Smith (34) of the Eaton Reds pitches during the Eaton Reds 3A baseball state championship game against the University Bulldogs at Butch Butler Field in Greeley June 4, 2022. The Reds defeated the Bulldogs 10-4 to clinch their second-consecutive 3A baseball state title. (Alex McIntyre/Staff Photographer)
No comments:
Post a Comment