The Durango High School baseball team will host the 4A Region 3 regional on Saturday, aiming to advance to the state tournament. The Demons, seeded third, will open play at 1 p.m. against No. 30 Conifer, while the 14th‑seeded Fort Morgan and 19th‑seeded Cheyenne Mountain meet earlier at 10 a.m.
Regional Schedule and Seeding
If Durango defeats Conifer, they will play the winner of the Fort Morgan versus Cheyenne Mountain game later that afternoon, a potential showdown that could determine the regional champion and a spot in the state bracket.
Key Players to Watch
Senior shortstop Landin “Bubba” Padilla leads the offense with a .467 batting average, while senior Dawson McInnes and junior Coen Anderson are close behind at .466, driving the team’s production in hits and RBIs.
On the mound, junior Coen Anderson is 5‑1 with a 5.01 ERA and a team‑high 35 strikeouts, and senior Dawson McInnes sits at 3.37 ERA with 22 strikeouts, giving the Demons a solid pitching rotation.
Conifer arrives at 12‑10 overall, led by senior Andrew Janasiewicz’s .397 average, while seniors Nick Giefer (.383) and Parker VanDuyn (four homers, .367) add depth to their batting order.
Fort Morgan, also 16‑7, showcases junior Cooper Chisum, who leads the team with a .488 average, a 7‑2 record on the mound, a 1.92 ERA and 59 strikeouts, making him a dual threat.
Cheyenne Mountain, sitting at 13‑9, relies on junior Colton Johnson, who hits .472 with seven home runs and also starts on the mound with a 5‑1 record, 2.92 ERA and 59 strikeouts.
Implications for the State Tournament
The winner of the regional will earn one of eight spots in the state bracket, a milestone that would mark a significant achievement for the program and its fans. With a balanced lineup, strong pitching and a season that already eclipses last year’s win total, Durango enters the weekend as a serious contender.