Flatirons Academy captured the Class 1A baseball championship on Thursday, edging Akron 14‑11 in a game that flipped the script on last year’s defeat. The Bison rallied from an 11‑6 hole, turning a dire situation into a celebration of resilience.
A mental miscue that changed everything
In the fourth inning, Caleb Ast’s lapse in concentration opened the door for Preston Miller, whose timely sprint turned a tied situation into the Bison’s first lead of the night.
The comeback was fueled by an explosive first‑inning burst, as Braxton Kelley and Mateo Pope each smashed triples that drove in two runs, setting the tone for the rally.
Relief pitcher Caleb Doughty steadied the game, limiting Akron to five hits and one unearned run over 4 ⅓ innings, buying time for the offense to surge ahead.
A milestone for the program
The victory marks Flatirons Academy’s second state title, the first having come in 2019 when the school operated as Cornerstone Christian. Since 2021 the team had finished as runner‑up three times, making this championship a long‑awaited payoff.
Coach Gino Carbajal praised the squad’s resilience, noting the collective support that turned a deficit into a celebration.