A journey to the 6A state championship game last season has been reaping benefits this spring with several experienced players back for the Corner Canyon High baseball team. During the preseason, the Chargers have won seven of its 10 games with one of its losses to Lone Peak, a top-five team who beat them 9-5 just before spring break.

“We are off to a pretty good start,” said head coach Jeff Eure, who is in his eighth season. “During the offseason, we wanted to continue to grow and develop as players and as a program and our team is really coming together.”

Corner Canyon have defeated Roy 8-3, Crimson Cliffs 6-2, Clearfield 10-6, Canyon View 10-7, Tooele 11-7, Weber 21-1 and Ogden 19-0 while losing to Alta 4-1, Davis 3-2 and Lone Peak 9-5 before sweeping Copper Hills to start region.

Junior infielder Nathan Horstmann has been leading the offense with 22 RBIs while also striking out seven batters on the mound in pitching appearances. Others contributing extensively at the plate have been sophomore outfielder Jack Munson, senior first baseman Andrew Nice, sophomore infielder Lincoln Eure, senior first baseman Logan Nordhoff and junior outfielder Garrett Downing. On the mound, senior right-handed pitcher Jacob Troast leads in strikeouts with 24. Sophomore right hander Carson Paulsen has 14 strikeouts and a 2-0 record, Nice – a lefty – has nine strikeouts and a 1-1 record and senior Dallon Stokes is 1-0 with four strikeouts.

“Pitching and defense will be the keys to our success as we enter Region play,” Eure said. 

Also on the CCHS team this season are senior outfielder Drew Whatcott; juniors Jobie Brady, Justin Delgrosso, Joey Heuser and Tanner Mackay; sophomores William Baik, Bowen Bodily, Maddux Florence, Charlie Hansen, Dane Hendrickson, Roan Hendrickson, Colton Lewis, Dawson Mair, Axyl Meine, Baylor Neal, Jenson Pollard and Krew Thorn; and freshmen Grayson Brady, Levi Hines, Corbin Mackay, Caleb Madison, James Markle, Truman Munier, Pablo Perry, Ty Radford, Wyatt Shirley and Talon Strong.

Eure is being assisted this season by Dusty Haycock, Craig Goff, David Waung, Zak Felix, Hayes Hall and Chris Paulsen.

The Chargers will also face Copper Hills, Herriman, Bingham, Riverton and Mountain Ridge in Region 2 play before the 6A state tournament runs from May 15-24.

“Our goal for the season is to come together as a team and play our best baseball in May, so hopefully we can be at our best come tournament time,” Eure said.λ