6A, 5A SIC baseball preview: Ranking the favorites, contenders and dark horses in Boise area
Idaho has crowned baseball state champions for at least 53 years. But high school baseball enters a new era this spring with an official state tournament sponsored by the Idaho High School Activities Association.
The change isn’t merely paperwork. A state-sponsored tournament comes with an experimental new championship format similar to college baseball’s. Instead of one eight-team state tournament, 12 teams will battle in four, three-team regional tournaments at the 6A and 5A levels. The four regional winners then advance to a new double-elimination state tournament.
So which Treasure Valley teams will compete for a spot in the new playoffs? We surveyed coaches in the 6A and 5A Southern Idaho Conferences and broke down the players to watch and each team’s preseason storylines below.
6A SIC
1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Last season: 19-9, 5A SIC
Coach: Stephan Zanoni, fourth season
Players to watch: Jackson Wendt, sr., 1B; Lincoln Mathis, sr., P/OF; Jeff Thompson, sr., INF
Outlook: The defending state runner-up edged Owyhee in the preseason coaches’ poll with a veteran lineup that features six returning starters and five players committed to a college program. That list starts with one of the most feared sluggers in Idaho in Wendt, a Seattle University commit who hit .424 with a 1.216 OPS last year to make the all-state first team. Thompson (.343, 13 stolen bases) also returns as a three-year starter at shortstop, and Rocky Mountain fields one of the state’s most electric pitchers in Mathis (7-1, 1.87 ERA), a second-team all-state selection and a College of Southern Idaho commit. But the Grizzlies graduated their next four top pitchers after Mathis, so new faces will need to step up and fill those key innings to dethrone Owyhee.
2. OWYHEE
Last season: 24-2, 11-1 5A SIC
Coach: Matt Rasmussen, first season
Players to watch: Gage Haws, sr., DH; Kaleb Doty, sr., P; Easton Price, sr., OF; Hunter Mahaffey, sr., P
Outlook: Injuries knocked the three-time defending state champs out of the preseason favorite position. The Storm lost second baseman Nathan Keith (broken foot) and shortstop Keagan Kelly (ACL) for the season, and Haws (Tommy John surgery) can only DH this spring. But don’t count the Storm out just yet. Owyhee starts the year with its most experienced pitching staff yet anchored by Doty (7-0, 1.41 ERA) and Mahaffey (3-1, 1.69 ERA), a Northwest Nazarene University commit. Haws can still change any game with a single swing as two-time all-state pick and a Washington commit. And all the injuries may just open the door for the next generation to write their own chapter at the state’s top program.
3. EAGLE
Last season: 21-5, 11-1 5A SIC
Coach: Scott Deck, second season
Players to watch: Caleb Zawadzki, jr., P/INF; Andrew Palfreyman, sr., P/INF; Jack Swanstrom, sr., P/OF; Carter Ditlove, jr., OF
Outlook: An elite pitching staff powered the Mustangs to a district title last season. Graduation cost Eagle two of its three aces. But Zawadzki (0.68 ERA, 71 strikeouts) headlines the staff again as a returning first-team all-state selection, and the Mustangs believe they have plenty of new arms to contend again. Look for Palfreyman to step into a key role on the mound after getting overshadowed last year, and for Swanstrom (.483) to have a breakout season at the plate after a shoulder injury limited his playing time last spring.
4. MIDDLETON
Last season: 22-8, 11-1 5A SIC
Coach: Bryan Swygart, fourth season
Players to watch: Ian Lenius, sr., P; Drew Holman, jr., C; Boomer Collins, sr., P/SS; Beau Ramsey, sr., P/UTIL
Outlook: The state’s new classification rules allowed the Vikings to drop down a level, but Middleton chose to petition up and contend with the state’s best. Graduation cost the Vikings the 5A state player of the year in Treyton Swygart, but Middleton still brings back six starters and another loaded pitching staff. Lenius (0.30 ERA) draws most of the attention as a Utah commit and returning first-team all-state pick. But Ramsey (2.65 ERA), Collins (1.91 ERA) and sophomore Kellen Viehweg (2.83 ERA) give the Vikings plenty of power arms to contend again. Plus, they can all rely on a veteran catcher in Holman, who holds Division I offers for football and baseball.
5. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Last season: 18-11, 7-5 5A SIC
Coach: Justin Schneidt, third season
Players to watch: Cade Burnham, sr., P/SS; Davey Green, sr., P; Ryan Yesford, so., P/3B; Carson Lupton, sr., OF
Outlook: The two-time defending third-place winner at state enters the season with a veteran lineup but loads of new faces on the mound. Green (3-2, 2.15 ERA) is the only returning pitcher with significant varsity experience. But Schneidt says he has plenty of options and could use 12 to 13 pitchers throughout the season. Whoever ends up on the mound will pitch in front of what Schneidt called a much-improved defense. Burnham (.287, 17 stolen bases) has committed to the College of Southern Idaho and returns at shortstop, while Lupton (.276) was a second-team all-state pick in the outfield.
6. TIMBERLINE
Last season: 11-12, 5-7 5A SIC
Coach: Casey Coberly, seventh season
Players to watch: Garrett Mirel, sr., P; Diego Baker, sr., P/UTIL; Nick Walborn, sr., P/3B/1B
Outlook: A rare season under .500 and a two-and-out performance at district kept the perennial power out of the state tournament. But five returning starters and a few key reinforcements have the Wolves eyeing another late-season run. Mirel, a left-handed Loyola Marymount commit, returns to the mound after an injury limited him to 12 pitches last season. He tops what Coberly called a deeper staff than a year ago. Baker (.321) will anchor the lineup, which also adds Walborn, who had to sit out last season after transferring to Timberline.
7. BORAH
Last season: 14-12, 6-6 5A SIC
Coach: Tony Zaragoza, second season
Players to watch: Tate Kubena, sr., P/C; Brady Robinson, sr., P/INF; Carson McCarney, sr., INF; Ryan Gross, sr., OF
Outlook: A junior-heavy squad last season has grown into a senior-laden lineup this spring as Borah returns six starters and all but one of its pitchers from a year ago. Robinson (2.26 ERA) and Kubena (1.31 ERA) will eat up most of the innings as veteran arms with two-way roles. Kubena hit .378 for first-team all-conference honors at catcher, and Robinson (.303, 18 stolen bases) provides a dangerous bat atop the lineup. But Zaragoza said the Lions will need to find more consistent production up and down the lineup to knock off the league’s traditional powers.
8. CENTENNIAL
Last season: 7-15, 3-9 5A SIC
Coach: Brian Champion, 13th season
Players to watch: Cannon Haws, jr., P/SS; Tate Keddington, sr., P/OF; Jaden Belton, sr., P/OF; Stryker Eldred, sr., P/1B
Outlook: The Patriots took their lumps as a young squad last season. Now they get to reap the rewards of all that experience with seven returning starters. That list includes Centennial’s top three leaders in innings pitched in Eldred (2.30 ERA), Keddington (1.99 ERA) and Belton (4.36 ERA). Meanwhile, Belton (.356) and Haws (.320) anchor a lineup looking for more consistent production after averaging just four runs per game. Champion also said Centennial will need to work on finishing games.
9. BOISE
Last season: 13-10, 5A SIC
Coach: Jeff Prihode, second season
Players to watch: Michael Myers, sr., P/1B; Sascha Stoll, sr., CF; Aidric Bird, sr., P
Outlook: The Brave return only four starters, but they start the season with an enviable supply of pitching. Myers (3-3, 2.17 ERA) and Bird (5-2, 2.21 ERA) combined to eat up two-thirds of Boise’s innings last year, and the two veterans return to anchor the staff again. Stoll (.353) also returns in the outfield after second-team all-state honors. The rest of the lineup is mostly new, but Prihode said Boise’s fielding should improve after an offseason dedicated to cleaning up errors.
10. CAPITAL
Last season: 8-19, 2-10 5A SIC
Coach: Trey Cochran, fourth season
Players to watch: Caden Werner, sr., P/INF; Cooper Myers, jr., P/INF; Maddox Weight, sr., OF; Brayden Dudley, jr., P/INF
Outlook: Run prevention remains the focus for the Eagles, who gave up the most runs in the SIC (8.3 per game) for the second straight year. Cutting down on walks (141) remains the first step. But Werner (2.70 ERA), a Wenatchee Valley commit, headlines the pitching staff as its ace for a third straight year alongside Myers (1.35 ERA), who impressed as a freshman. A more experienced defense ought to cut down on errors and help Capital’s pitching staff out.
11. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 13-12, 7-5 4A SIC
Coach: Jason Wonderlich, fifth season
Players to watch: Chance Schreiber, sr., P/1B; Jameson Deitz, sr., P/UTIL; Elliot Jamison, sr., P/INF; Jaxon Johnson, sr., C
Outlook: Idaho’s latest classification cycle pushed the Warhawks into the state’s largest division for the first time. The Warhawks went 2-3 vs. the top classification last year, including a win over eventual state runner-up Rocky Mountain. Ridgevue returns six starters, including a pair of future college talents in Schreiber (Yakima Valley) and Jamison (Treasure Valley). But the Warhawks will break in four to six of juniors and sophomores at key positions, including on their pitching staff.
12. KUNA
Last season: 6-17, 2-10 5A SIC
Coach: Aaron Orme, first season
Players to watch: Zane Lombardi, sr., INF; Jackson Edwards, jr., P/INF; Alex Whitt, sr., P/INF; Tyler Rasmussen, sr., OF
Outlook: A new coaching staff brings back five returning five starters. Orme pointed to a strong backbone up the middle anchored by Rasmussen, a Yakima Valley commit, in the outfield, and Lombardi and Edwards in the infield. Lombardi led the team in batting average (.432), on-base percentage (.552) and stolen bases (seven) a year ago, while Edwards (.333, 2.29 ERA) is already a veteran three-year starter. But Kuna will need to find some more clutch hits to boost its 4.2 runs per game.
13. MERIDIAN
Last season: 9-14, 2-10 5A SIC
Coach: Andrew Groves, first season
Players to watch: Caleb Boydston, sr., 1B; Alex Marquardt, jr., P; Jacob Moreno, sr., P/INF
Outlook: The Warriors start the season in a transition after nine seniors graduated, leaving just one returning starter and three players with any varsity experience for an entirely new coaching staff. So expect a few growing pains as a young club cuts its teeth. Boydston (.274, two home runs) provides a college-ready bat after committing to Montana State-Billings. He’ll anchor a corner infield position and provide much-needed veteran leadership, too.
5A SIC
1. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 18-10, 8-4 4A SIC
Coach: Jeff Cammann, 10th season
Players to watch: Colin Brazil, so., SS; Zach Wright, sr., P/OF; Lucas Blaine, sr., P/OF; Sy Wong, jr., 1B/3B
Outlook: The reigning state runner-up brings back only four starters, but the formula remains the same: small ball and pressure on the basepaths. Brazil (.365, nine stolen bases) leads that effort as the leadoff hitter after earning second-team all-conference honors as a freshman. He and Blaine (.324) will set the table while Wright (.338) and Wong (.240) anchor the heart of the lineup. Cammann said the pitching staff features more options this year, keeping the Knights’ arm fresh. But look for Wright (8-1, 2.74 ERA), last year’s No. 2 arm and a Whitworth commit, to establish himself as the ace.
2. SKYVIEW
Last season: 24-3, 12-0 4A SIC
Coach: Ryan Bobo, 21st season
Players to watch: Ledger Downs, sr., P/SS; Henry Downey, sr., UTIL; Mason Krahn, sr., OF
Outlook: The Hawks lost a generational senior class that went 48-8 the past two years. But the cupboards aren’t totally bare for the reigning district champ and state consolation trophy winner. Four starters return, including Krahn (.438), a first-team all-state outfielder and prolific slugger. He’ll pair with Downs (.458) in the heart of the order, and Skyview gets a boost with the return of a healthy Downey (.206). But senior Joe Bernal (4-1, 3.50 ERA) was the only pitcher to see significant innings last season.
3. VALLIVUE
Last season: 9-14, 5-7 4A SIC
Coach: Todd Zucker, second season
Outlook: The Falcons did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
4. COLUMBIA
Last season: 12-12, 4-8 4A SIC
Coach: Skyler Penrod, second season
Players to watch: Gabe Tanner, sr., P/INF; Parker Harrison, sr., P/INF; Finley Stern, sr., P/OF; Kaden Hanan, sr., P/UTIL
Outlook: The Wildcats bring back just four starters, but that list includes Columbia’s top two pitchers from a year ago. Tanner (3-2, 3.88 ERA) and Harrison (5-5, 4.04 ERA) anchor a pitching staff that Penrod said issued too many walks (95) and hit batters (48) last year. But he expects improvements with former Boise Hawk Matt Dallas taking over as the team’s pitching coach. Columbia will rely on a large group of sophomores in several key roles, so expect a few early growing pains.
5. NAMPA
Last season: 6-16, 3-9 5A SIC
Coach: Kyler Wells, third season
Players to watch: Nate Kessinger, sr., OF; Jaxon Wade, jr., P/INF; Ethan Stauffer, sr., C/1B; Kai Sena, sr., C
Outlook: The IHSAA allowed Nampa to drop down a level after going 5-19 (.238) in league play in the state’s largest division the past two years. Now Nampa brings back a 5A SIC-high seven starters as it tries to rebuild its program. That list includes its top pitcher in Wade (3.18 ERA) and what Wells called a deeper stable of arms. It also includes two of its top three hitters in Kessinger (.274) and Sena (.268). But Nampa still expects to rely on a few new young players in key roles.
T-6. CALDWELL
Last season: 10-15, 4-8 4A SIC
Coach: Pedro Rodriguez III, first season
Players to watch: Owen Moss, sr., P/1B; Eric Kammerman, sr., P/C; Julian Flores, sr., OF; Connor Fullerton, so., P/SS
Outlook: After seven straight losing seasons, the Cougars enter a new era with Rodriguez III at the helm. The first-year coach brings back five returning starters, including one of Caldwell’s top two pitchers in Moss (3-3, 3.62 ERA), a second-team all-conference pick. Kammerman (.243) steps in behind the plate to replace a four-year starter and leads what Rodriguez called a more cohesive infield. But limited depth remains a concern.
T-6. EMMETT
Last season: 5-17, 2-10 4A SIC
Coach: Taylor Nicholson, second season
Players to watch: Ryder Scheibe, sr., 1B/DH; Jackson Simonsen, sr., P/C; Logan Curtis, sr., P/LF; Casey Coburn, sr., CF
Outlook: The Huskies look to bounce back after missing last year’s district tournament behind five returning starters. Nicholson said Emmett starts the year with plenty of experienced pitchers, including Curtis (1.65 ERA), the leader of the staff. Those arms will work in front of an improved defense with an influx of talent moving up from the junior varsity squad. But after scoring just 3.5 runs per game, Emmett must find a way to scratch out more offensive production.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM.
