Proven diamond gems

Anundsen, Sowers and Gillman demonstrate why they're tops in their fields

Paul Willis, Special to the News

Published June 8, 2006 at midnight

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He was 0-2 on the mound, his team was sputtering and his senior year was going nowhere near how he envisioned it.

Little did Evan Anund-sen know, two months later, he and his Columbine baseball teammates proudly would be hoisting the Class 5A state championship trophy while Anund-sen was designated the most valuable player of the state tournament.

He turned around his early misfortunes in such a drastically positive manner that he also earned the honor of Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado pitcher of the year.

"It was one of those years where everything just fell into place, even though it started a little rocky with my pitching and our team," said Anundsen, who went 10-2 with a 1.67 earned-run average and had a 5A-best 150 strikeouts.

"It's awesome just to be named the best pitcher in the state," Anundsen added. "That's what every pitcher out here strives to do, and I just had the season to do it."

So into it was Anundsen that he was chosen in the fourth round of the amateur draft by Milwaukee on Tuesday and is considering signing a professional contract. If not, he has a spot waiting for him at tradition-rich Wichita State.

Anundsen is joined by his coach, Chuck Gillman, the All-Colorado coach of the year, and Cherry Creek shortstop Brett Sowers, the All-Colorado player of the year. Sowers hit 10 home runs and recorded a Bruins- record 46 RBI.

Sowers, who is expected to play at Nebraska next season, was in Los Angeles this week working out for the Dodgers. He missed the Colorado Rockies Top 50 Senior Game to attend the session.

Gillman guided the Rebels to a 19-7 mark and a 5-4 win against Mountain Vista to claim the state title. He celebrated by having his knees replaced - OK, maybe that doesn't qualify as a positive rejoicing session - but the hassle of getting around the house was tempered a bit by his delight about the title.

Gillman's son C.J., a junior catcher for the Rebels who scored the winning run in the championship game, also made the squad.

"It doesn't get much better than that for a coach," Chuck Gillman said. "Win the championship and coach of the year and have your son on the teams."

Other notables on the squad were Monarch shortstop Wade Landowski, who hit a 5A-best 13 home runs and added a 425-foot shot in the Top 50 game; Golden first baseman Kevin Coughlin, who hit nine home runs and led 4A with 45 RBI; and Roosevelt pitcher Cody Schlagel, the lone 3A selection, who went 9-0 with an 0.65 ERA in helping the Roughriders to the 3A crown against longtime-rival Eaton.

Sowers and Evergreen third baseman Tim Wulf were repeat selections.

All-Colorado baseball

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C C.J. Gillman Columbine Jr. 4 26 .377

1B Kevin Coughlin Golden Sr. 9 45 .441

2B Blake Tagmyer Grandview Sr. 7 37 .506

SS Brett Sowers Cherry Creek Sr. 10 46 .524

3B Tim Wulf Evergreen Sr. 7 25 .532

OF Brian Bello Fort Collins Sr. 3 22 .492

OF Cody Lunsford Dakota Ridge Sr. 6 24 .536

OF Marcus Valenzuela Monarch Sr. 9 35 .488

DH Wade Landowski Monarch Sr. 13 40 .457

UT Ben Sawyer Grand Junction Sr. 6 30 .431

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L K ERA

P Evan Anundsen Columbine Sr. 10-2 150 1.67

P James Katsaros Mountain Vista Sr. 5-1 57 2.35

P Rhett Morgan Northridge Jr. 8-1 62 1.23

P Cody Schlagel Roosevelt Sr. 9-0 65 0.65

UT Ben Sawyer Grand Junction Sr. 10-1 60 4.04

• Player of the year: Brett Sowers, Cherry Creek

• Pitcher of the year: Evan Anundsen, Columbine

• Coach of the year: Chuck Gillman, Columbine

Class 5A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C C.J. Gillman Columbine Jr. 4 26 .377

1B Payton Turner Arapahoe Sr. 7 28 .416

2B Blake Tagmyer Grandview Sr. 7 37 .506

SS Brett Sowers Cherry Creek Sr. 10 46 .524

3B Everett Altman Wheat Ridge Sr. 8 37 .419

OF Brian Bello Fort Collins Sr. 3 22 .492

OF Cody Lunsford Dakota Ridge Sr. 6 24 .536

OF Marcus Valenzuela Monarch Sr. 9 35 .488

DH Wade Landowski Monarch Sr. 13 40 .457

UT Ben Sawyer Grand Jct. Sr. 6 30 .431

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L K ERA

P Evan Anundsen Columbine Sr. 10-2 150 1.67

P Drew Engelbart Rocky Mtn. Sr. 7-1 53 1.95

P Ted Jamison Green Mtn. Sr. 7-1 66 1.94

P James Katsaros Mtn. Vista Sr. 5-1 57 2.35

UT Ben Sawyer Grand Jct. Sr. 10-1 60 4.04

• Player of the year: Brett Sowers, Cherry Creek

• Pitcher of the year: Evan Anundsen, Columbine

• Coach of the year: Chuck Gillman, Columbine

• Honorable mention

P Cory Ast, Northglenn, Sr.; P Javier Banuelos, Lincoln, Sr.; C Anthony Bendever, Arvada, Sr.; P Nick Bryant, Cherry Creek, Sr.; SS Andy Burns, Rocky Mountain, So.; 3B Scott Case, Arapahoe, Sr.; SS Josh Chevalier, Air Academy, Sr.; OF Bobby Cozine, ThunderRidge, Jr.; 1B Curtis Cunningham, Columbine, Sr.; P P.D. Darrow, Cherry Creek, Sr.; 3B John Fink, Columbine, Sr.; P Mark Gerster, Doherty, Jr.; C Gregg Glime, Smoky Hill, Sr.; SS Shaver Hansen, Fruita Monument, Sr.; OF Luke Hardcastle, Arapahoe, Sr.; 2B Chris Harman, Mountain Vista, Sr.; 2B Adam Hilker, Northglenn, Jr.; C Cole Leonida, Grandview, Sr.; OF Joe Mills, Cherry Creek, Sr.; OF Darin McDonald, Cherry Creek, Sr.; P David McKnight, Chaparral, Sr.; C Cory Miller, Green Mountain, Sr.; C Dan Neumann, Heritage, Sr.; OF Mark Novotny, Grand Junction, Sr.; C Mike Raudenbush, Monarch, Sr.; OF Chris Redding, Northglenn, Sr.; OF Nick Robertson, Mountain Vista, Sr.; SS Nick Rossetti, Ponderosa, Sr.; P Andrew Scheid, Regis, Sr.; P Cody Scott, Arapahoe, Jr.; P Eric Skufca, Heritage, Sr.; OF Cameron Smith, Rangeview, Sr.; 3B John Wamsley, Standley Lake, Sr.; OF Tyler Wilkinson, Boulder, Sr.; UT Trevor Zott, Arvada West, Sr.

Class 4A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C Seth Budde Greel. West Sr. 7 36 .506

1B Kevin Coughlin Golden Sr. 9 45 .441

2B Jay Gromelski Wood. Park Jr. 5 24 .694

SS Chris Grandinetti Broomfield Sr. 3 33 .520

3B Tim Wulf Evergreen Sr. 7 25 .532

OF Jarod Berggren Broomfield So. 6 29 .523

OF Kyle Koch Liberty Jr. 2 29 .455

OF Bryan Richards Moffat Co. Jr. 9 29 .541

DH Andy Harvey Centaurus Sr. 6 36 .597

UT Matt Presley Chey. Mtn. Jr. 8 35 .622

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L K ERA

P Cam Maldonado Cañon City Jr. 9-2 107 1.67

P Rhett Morgan Northridge Jr. 8-1 62 1.23

P Bradshaw Perry Cher. Trail Jr. 7-1 86 1.86

P Matt Skipper Ralston Vy. So. 7-1 57 3.96

• Player of the year: Chris Grandinetti, Broomfield

• Pitcher of the year: Rhett Morgan, Northridge

• Coach of the year: Garren Estes, Broomfield

• Honorable mention

OF Devin Black, Evergreen, Sr.; 3B Danny Brock, Mountain View, Sr.; 1B J.L. Buchanan, Greeley West, Sr.; SS Bryan Chritz, Ralston Valley, Jr.; P Kevin Cover, Pueblo South, Sr.; P Austin Davis, Fossil Ridge, Sr.; SS Steve DiIorio, Pueblo South, Sr.; C Bryce Enewold, Rifle, Sr.; INF Zak Enriquez, Hinkley, Sr.; P Stephen Falconi, Liberty, Jr.; C Anthony Fontana, Liberty, Jr.; C Travis Godec, Pueblo Central, Jr.; C Nate Goergen, Golden, Jr.; 1B Josh Goetz, D'Evelyn, Sr.; INF Josh Gordon, Silver Creek, Jr; 1B Miles Gorham, Cañon City, Jr.; 2B Colin Hacker, Conifer, Sr.; P Andy Herrman, Broomfield, Sr.; UT Rayne Hulce, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; OF Mikel Huston, Northridge, Sr.; OF Troy Kane, Woodland Park, Jr.; SS Brandon Keller, Delta, Jr.; OF Adam Lozano, Fountain-Fort Carson, Jr.; P Tim Moore, Cherokee Trail, Jr.; P Brett Nathan, Thomas Jefferson, So.; P Ryan Prentiss, Pine Creek, Sr.; P Mike Rizzuto, Golden, Sr.; 1B Chris Siebenaller, Broomfield, Sr.; 2B Jordan Smith, Longmont, Jr.; INF Eli Snead, Rifle, Sr.; 2B Justin Snyder, Pueblo South, Sr.; P Matt Stevens, Fort Lupton, So.; INF Nate Ward, Skyline, Sr.; P Tony Weber, Elizabeth, Sr.; P Bryan Wojtkiewicz, Moffat County, Sr.; INF Jake Wood, Ralston Valley, Sr.

Class 3A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C Jared Carlson Eaton Sr. 1 31 .384

1B Jake Fickle Buena Vista Jr. 6 30 .446

2B Clay Rampone Bayfield Sr. 5 39 .475

SS Jon Piche University Sr. 4 36 .549

3B Scott Hesemann Holy Family Sr. 0 22 .529

OF David Fox Faith Chr. Jr. 7 20 .587

OF Jeff Ross Denver Chr. Jr. 6 38 .500

OF Jeremy Young Florence Sr. 3 15 .610

DH Brett McFarland Roosevelt Sr. 5 36 .477

UT Gerard Mohrmann Manitou Sp. Sr. 7 33 .673

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L K ERA

P Nick Cafasso Machebeuf Sr. 10-3 100 1.69

P Shane Dyer Eaton Sr. 7-1 101 1.24

P Cody Schlagel Roosevelt Sr. 9-0 65 0.65

P Terry Steiner Brush Sr. 7-1 76 1.76

UT Gerard Mohrmann Manitou Sp. Sr. 6-3 88 2.85

• Player of the year: Gerard Mohrmann, Manitou Springs

• Pitcher of the year: Cody Schlagel, Roosevelt

• Coach of the year: Gino Carbajal, Faith Christian

• Honorable mention

OF Charlie Ampe, Denver Christian, Sr.; 3B Josh Anderson, Faith Christian, Jr.; P Adam Apodaca, La Junta, Sr.; OF Geoff Ball, Colorado Academy, Sr.; INF Dustin Bass, Brush, Jr.; UT Peter Baumann, Kent Denver, Sr.; P Jake Bowman, Roaring Fork, Sr.; C Seve Carbajal, Faith Christian, So.; P Ty Cardona, Roosevelt, Sr.; INF Jason Cathcart, Bayfield, Sr.; SS A.J. Clark, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; C Bryan Coday, Holy Family, Jr.; SS Ruben Gallegos, Weld Central, Sr.; 1B Cam Gibson, Roosevelt, Sr.; OF Matt Green, Middle Park, Sr.; C Dallas Gustafson, Weld Central, Sr.; OF Josh Gutierrez, Brush, Sr.; 1B Chris Harper, Ellicott, Sr.; C Damian Hess, Roosevelt, Sr.; OF Nathaniel Jimenez, Trinidad, Sr.; OF Whitman Jones, Eaton, Sr.; INF Michael Langfield, Holy Family, Sr.; INF David Machado, Machebeuf, Sr.; P Zach McBeth, Faith Christian, Sr.; 1B Colton Monasmith, Lutheran, Jr.; OF Seth Oquist, La Junta, Sr.; P Kyle Ottoson, Eaton, So.; P Jake Perkins, Olathe, Sr.; OF Lee Ramiser, Bayfield, Sr.; INF Russell Reeve, University, Jr.; P Sigi Rodriguez, Monte Vista, Sr.; P Jordan Romine, Lamar, Jr.; OF Marcus Stewart, Valley, Sr.; P Devon Tenorio, Machebeuf, Sr.; SS Jason Veyna, Lamar, Jr.

Class 2A

• First team

Pos. Player School Yr. HR RBI Avg.

C Dillion Davisson Akron Sr. 1 33 .405

1B Adam Coonts Limon Sr. 6 28 .394

2B Steve Martin Limon Sr. 6 29 .529

SS Brendon Marek Paonia Sr. 4 47 .693

3B Bo Randolph Limon Sr. 6 36 .525

OF Lane Brundage Las Animas Sr. 0 37 .491

OF Dylan Hochevar Wray Jr. 5 33 .443

OF Tyler Pickens Akron Sr. 8 34 .427

DH Rick Wilson Paonia Jr. 2 42 .543

UT Tyson Liggett Limon Sr. 6 27 .522

Pos. Player School Yr. W-L K ERA

P C.J. Cannell Paonia Jr. 8-0 83 2.52

P Scott Cure Idalia Jr. 7-2 106 0.86

P Ryan Pauly Resurr. Chr. Sr. 7-2 98 1.23

P Derek Pearl Custer Co. Jr. 7-0 43 1.79

UT Tyson Liggett Limon Sr. 7-0 44 1.33

• Player of the year: Steve Martin, Limon

• Pitcher of the year: Scott Cure, Idalia

• Coach of the year: Alan Coffin, Haxtun

• Honorable mention

P Jason Baylor, Las Animas, Jr.; P Michael Beck, Alexander Dawson, Jr.; SS Josh Bowers, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; P Derek Cooper, Community Christian, Jr.; P Ben Doran, Calhan, Sr.; OF Cole Flectcher, Akron, Sr.; 1B Brock Freidenberger, Rocky Ford, Jr.; 1B Tyler Gerk, Cotopaxi, Sr.; C John Heermann, Haxtun, Jr.; 3B Tyler Higginbotham, Cotopaxi, Jr.; P Mike Holmberg, Custer County, Sr.; OF Bryon Johnson, Academy of Charter, Sr.; C Michael Kerbs, Wray, Jr.; OF Kendall Kroeger, Haxtun, Fr.; P Zach Krueger, Holyoke, Jr.; 1B Cole Miller, Las Animas, So.; P Aaron Orr, Wray, So.; SS Angel Pecina, Holly, Sr.; OF Nate Perry, Denver Academy, Sr.; SS Chris Pickett, Maranatha Christian, Jr.; C Tanner Ridgway, Paonia, Jr.; UT Tim Roth, Sargent, Sr.; INF Nate Runkle, Peyton, Sr.; SS Brian Skorina, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; OF Greg Suryn, Front Range Christian, Jr.; OF T.J. VanBibber, Sargent, Jr.; P Bryant Vayhinger, Evangelical Christian, Sr.; C Jake Welsh, Pikes Peak Christian, Sr.; SS Lance Woltemath, Revere, So.; 2B Kyle Whitham, Heritage Christian, Jr.

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