Forge Christian captured its second straight Class 2A baseball state championship on Saturday, downing Monte Vista 12-5 in a game that underscored the program’s recent dominance.
The victory capped a 27-2 season for the Eagles, a record that reflects both offensive firepower and defensive consistency, while Monte Vista finished at 26-2, having lost only to the same opponent.
Early in the contest, Monte Vista struck first when Koby Jiron led off with a double and Azariah Hurtado followed with a two-run homer, but Forge quickly answered with a leadoff hit by Easton Wilde and a clutch single from Ben McLean that set the stage for a rally.
Carsen Hughes then launched a two-out, two-run homer in the second inning, ending Jiron’s outing on the mound, and the momentum shifted dramatically as Jake Stocker delivered a three-run double later in the same frame, pushing the lead to 10-2.
Key Moments That Defined the Final
Manny Jiron’s clutch three-run homer in the top of the third cut the deficit to 10-5, but the Eagles responded with a flurry of hits, including multi-hit performances from McLean, Hughes, Jonah Boykin and Ivan Murphy, who each finished with two hits.
Reliever Jake Stocker threw 4.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just three hits, one walk and striking out three, preserving the lead and earning a key victory on the mound.
Coach Jim Polson, who has spent 25 years at the helm of the program and captured his first state title last year, praised the team’s culture and the selfless approach of his players, noting that faith and collective hitting were central to their success.
Senior catcher Sam Buerck echoed that sentiment, attributing the championship to the squad’s belief and willingness to put the team ahead of individual stats.
The win also marks the fourth straight 2A title shared between Denver Christian and Forge Christian, a streak that highlights the competitive balance in the classification and the sustained excellence of these programs.
The early double by Jiron and his subsequent homer gave Monte Vista a brief lead, but the Eagles’ response was swift and decisive, turning a 0-2 hole into a commanding advantage.
Stocker’s relief appearance not only stabilized the game but also showcased the depth of the pitching staff, a factor that coaches say will be vital as the team looks ahead to next season.
With the championship secured, the Eagles now turn their attention to the offseason, where they will aim to retain their core talent and continue building on a culture that blends athletic ambition with spiritual purpose.