The back to back state champs are returning and ready to get on the field. With the winter sports season coming to an end, the spring sports are ready to get back to business. Last spring, the EHS baseball team went undefeated in their league, holding a 16-0 record. As the previous season progressed the team had a batting average of .402 and stats of 66 doubles, 18 triples, and 13 home runs.

The Eaton Reds played their rival, University High School, for their 13th state title to top off their 2022 season. The Reds started off strong in that first inning being up 5-0. Sophomore Gunnar Duncan had a batting average of .500 which included a homerun and an RBI (runners batted in) of one. Duncan said, “Winning a state championship is already huge and winning it against a rival is better.”

With much to look forward to this season, Head Coach Todd Hernandez said, “The biggest thing I am looking forward to this season is seeing the continued growth of all the players. Our guys work very hard in the off season and I am ready to see how much that hard work pays off on gameday.”

A lot of the seniors have been playing together since they were very little. Senior Walker Martin said, “I have been playing with them all my life it feels like, probably since first grade. I will miss playing in tough games and making fun memories on the field with them.”

There are many guys on the team that have always loved the game for many different reasons. Some of the guys have been playing baseball since they were very little. Mitch Haythorn (24) said, “I think I got my love for the game from my dad. He has always pushed me to be the best I can and baseball is something I have always excelled at. I have had a lot of success playing baseball and I love how different it is from other sports. It’s unlike anything else, baseball is a funny game and there’s so many factors that go into it and I love how no matter what, anything can happen at any time.”

With every sport every season, each coach has very different expectations for their players. Hernandez said, “Just like every season, we expect our players to represent Eaton in a positive manner in all areas. That includes handling victory with class and defeat with dignity.  We understand that we didn’t invent the game of baseball and we need the game more than it needs us, so we will be humble yet hungry as we pursue our third straight state title and 14th in program history.”

MaxPreps named the best player in every state and Martin was chosen for Colorado’s best player. Martin said, “I am definitely blessed and humbled to receive that title but that’s in the past, so I need to go prove it again this year.” His junior year he batted .566 including a RBI of 55, and a total of 9 home runs and 12 doubles. 

The Reds will have their home opener on Friday, Mar. 17 against Roosevelt. For weekly updates tune into Eaton Red Ink or NFHS to watch live.