Articles
Chaparral wins 4A-I baseball title
May 10, 2008, Saturday
May 10, 2008 - 9:53PM
By Kyle Odegard, Tribune
The 4A-I baseball world is back in order. Scottsdale Chaparral resumed its dominance on the diamond Saturday afternoon, beating Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor 8-6 in the championship game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
The Firebirds have now won five of the last six state championships. Last year was the lone blip, when Tempe McClintock knocked them out in the semifinals and went on to win it all.
“We went 20 years before we ever won a championship,” coach Jerry Dawson said. “I don’t feel like we coach for championships... I feel like we coach for the kids. If they get better, that part doesn’t get old. And if they win a championship that’s wonderful.”
The outcome was in doubt early when Chaparral trailed 4-1 through 3 1/2 innings, but they put up seven runs in the next two innings to take the title.
“We never gave up,” first baseman Cody Yount said. “We haven’t given up all year. We weren’t worried. We just kept battling back.”
Jordan Holle pitched to just one batter, but escaped a bases-loaded jam by forcing a groundout in the fourth to earn the win.
Matt Summers got the save by pitching the last three innings. Summers transferred to Chaparral after playing for Cave Creek Cactus Shadows previously.
He won a state title with the Falcons two years ago.
“It’s kind of weird,” Summers said, “it feels like I’ve been playing with these guys the whole time.”
Chase Brewer started on three days’ rest and struggled, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings. The offense bailed him out by getting four runs in the fourth inning to erase the deficit, and then three more in the fifth with two outs after Sandra Day O’Connor had battled back to tie the game at 5.
Trey Ford knocked in the go-ahead run with a double in the fifth and Jordan Weymouth and Landon Joost both followed with run-scoring hits.
Summers struck out Maverick Lasker with a fastball on the outside corner to end the game, then jumped and twirled as his teammates mobbed him on the mound.
“Getting that last out was absolutely amazing,” Summers said.
For some of the seniors on the team, it was the last chance at a state title. Yount joined older brother Austin with a title after it evaded him last year.
“I just wanted to get my one,” Yount said.
Six starters will be playing Division I college baseball last season, but coach Jerry Dawson said the team was very unpredictable.
“We had championship talent, but we didn’t have championship chemistry,” Dawson said. “We fought the chemistry issues all year.”
By tournament time, that fight had been won.
“It just clicked and it was awesome,” Summers said. “Everything came together.”
By Kyle Odegard, Tribune
The 4A-I baseball world is back in order. Scottsdale Chaparral resumed its dominance on the diamond Saturday afternoon, beating Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor 8-6 in the championship game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
The Firebirds have now won five of the last six state championships. Last year was the lone blip, when Tempe McClintock knocked them out in the semifinals and went on to win it all.
“We went 20 years before we ever won a championship,” coach Jerry Dawson said. “I don’t feel like we coach for championships... I feel like we coach for the kids. If they get better, that part doesn’t get old. And if they win a championship that’s wonderful.”
The outcome was in doubt early when Chaparral trailed 4-1 through 3 1/2 innings, but they put up seven runs in the next two innings to take the title.
“We never gave up,” first baseman Cody Yount said. “We haven’t given up all year. We weren’t worried. We just kept battling back.”
Jordan Holle pitched to just one batter, but escaped a bases-loaded jam by forcing a groundout in the fourth to earn the win.
Matt Summers got the save by pitching the last three innings. Summers transferred to Chaparral after playing for Cave Creek Cactus Shadows previously.
He won a state title with the Falcons two years ago.
“It’s kind of weird,” Summers said, “it feels like I’ve been playing with these guys the whole time.”
Chase Brewer started on three days’ rest and struggled, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings. The offense bailed him out by getting four runs in the fourth inning to erase the deficit, and then three more in the fifth with two outs after Sandra Day O’Connor had battled back to tie the game at 5.
Trey Ford knocked in the go-ahead run with a double in the fifth and Jordan Weymouth and Landon Joost both followed with run-scoring hits.
Summers struck out Maverick Lasker with a fastball on the outside corner to end the game, then jumped and twirled as his teammates mobbed him on the mound.
“Getting that last out was absolutely amazing,” Summers said.
For some of the seniors on the team, it was the last chance at a state title. Yount joined older brother Austin with a title after it evaded him last year.
“I just wanted to get my one,” Yount said.
Six starters will be playing Division I college baseball last season, but coach Jerry Dawson said the team was very unpredictable.
“We had championship talent, but we didn’t have championship chemistry,” Dawson said. “We fought the chemistry issues all year.”
By tournament time, that fight had been won.
“It just clicked and it was awesome,” Summers said. “Everything came together.”
4A-I baseball: Chaparral wins...again
May 10, 2008, Saturday
by Mark Armijo - May. 10, 2008
Special for The Republic
4A-I baseball: Chaparral wins...again
For the fifth time over the past six years, top-seeded Scottsdale Chaparral reigned supreme by collaring the Class 4A Division I title Saturday with an 8-6 win against No. 3 Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Chaparral (26-6), which won four straight championships from 2003-2006 and has eight overall since 1994, overcame a 4-1 deficit by scoring seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
"This game can be frustrating because some days every line drive goes at somebody and bloops go against you," Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said. "We finally strung some hits together and got some balls to fall in. We kept battling and I'm proud of that."
Tied 5-5 entering the bottom half of the fifth, Chaparral staged a two-out rally with four straight hits beginning with a Danny Coulombe single. Trey Ford followed with an RBI double and second baseman Jordan Weymouth and designated hitter Landon Joost added RBI singles.
Chaparral senior Matt Summers, who is headed to Cal-Irvine, pitched the final three innings to get the win in relief.
"We have really good hitters and I knew we'd step up in the clutch when we needed it," said Joost, who had two of Chaparral's nine hits. "We did it against them (Sandra Day O'Connor) earlier in the season and we knew we could do it again."
Chaparral struck the game's first blow, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Sandra Day O'Connor pitcher Nick Carrillo hit Weymouth with a pitch and Joost followed with a double to right-center field.
Chaparral's lead lasted the baseball equivalent of a nanosecond, however, as Sandra Day O'Connor (25-6-1) sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the third, scoring four runs on six hits and an error.
Carillo atoned for his pitching mistake earlier by blooping a two-run single, and Brian Carr and Zack MacPhee also had RBI singles. A potential fifth run was cut down at the plate on a strong relay throw from Weymouth following Carr's single to right field.
Although Carrillo allowed only two hits through the first three innings, he struggled with his control and it bit him big-time in the fourth when he walked two batters on eight straight pitches and hit his third batter of the game.
When the inning ended, Chaparral was ahead 5-4, thanks in part to a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by David Roney.
Sandra Day O'Connor, which got two hits apiece from Travis Lane and Tyler Ermisch, added a run in the top of the fifth on a Maverick Lasker RBI single before Chaparral ended the drama with its three-run burst a few minutes later.
Special for The Republic
4A-I baseball: Chaparral wins...again
For the fifth time over the past six years, top-seeded Scottsdale Chaparral reigned supreme by collaring the Class 4A Division I title Saturday with an 8-6 win against No. 3 Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Chaparral (26-6), which won four straight championships from 2003-2006 and has eight overall since 1994, overcame a 4-1 deficit by scoring seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
"This game can be frustrating because some days every line drive goes at somebody and bloops go against you," Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said. "We finally strung some hits together and got some balls to fall in. We kept battling and I'm proud of that."
Tied 5-5 entering the bottom half of the fifth, Chaparral staged a two-out rally with four straight hits beginning with a Danny Coulombe single. Trey Ford followed with an RBI double and second baseman Jordan Weymouth and designated hitter Landon Joost added RBI singles.
Chaparral senior Matt Summers, who is headed to Cal-Irvine, pitched the final three innings to get the win in relief.
"We have really good hitters and I knew we'd step up in the clutch when we needed it," said Joost, who had two of Chaparral's nine hits. "We did it against them (Sandra Day O'Connor) earlier in the season and we knew we could do it again."
Chaparral struck the game's first blow, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Sandra Day O'Connor pitcher Nick Carrillo hit Weymouth with a pitch and Joost followed with a double to right-center field.
Chaparral's lead lasted the baseball equivalent of a nanosecond, however, as Sandra Day O'Connor (25-6-1) sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the third, scoring four runs on six hits and an error.
Carillo atoned for his pitching mistake earlier by blooping a two-run single, and Brian Carr and Zack MacPhee also had RBI singles. A potential fifth run was cut down at the plate on a strong relay throw from Weymouth following Carr's single to right field.
Although Carrillo allowed only two hits through the first three innings, he struggled with his control and it bit him big-time in the fourth when he walked two batters on eight straight pitches and hit his third batter of the game.
When the inning ended, Chaparral was ahead 5-4, thanks in part to a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by David Roney.
Sandra Day O'Connor, which got two hits apiece from Travis Lane and Tyler Ermisch, added a run in the top of the fifth on a Maverick Lasker RBI single before Chaparral ended the drama with its three-run burst a few minutes later.
Coulombe pitches Firebirds into final
May 10, 2008, Saturday
By Kyle Odegard, Tribune
Jerry Dawson has been around long enough to know you can’t win a state championship without getting there first.
With that in mind, the Scottsdale Chaparral baseball coach decided to go with ace left-hander Danny Coulombe in the 4A-I semifinals Friday night, and now the Firebirds will have a chance at the title today.
Coulombe threw a six-hitter as top-seeded Chaparral rallied from a one-run deficit in the fifth inning for a 6-2 win over No. 4 Glendale Cactus under the lights at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Coulombe struck out 16 batters in the game.
“Without him, I’m not sure we have another game to play (today),” Dawson said.
Coulombe’s final line was impressive, but he got it by pitching out of some jams.
In the third inning, already ahead 1-0, Cactus loaded the bases with one out, but Coulombe threw six straight curveballs to strike out Eric Goetz and Ryan Wescott.
Cactus went ahead again in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Colton Vaughn, but Chaparral answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs for a 4-2 lead.
All three runs came with two outs, started by an RBI double from Coulombe, who went 2-for-3 for the game.
“I love hitting,” he said.
Two errors on one play put the tying run on second base with two outs in the top of the sixth for Cactus, and again Coulombe escaped the jam.
“In a couple of crucial situations where the game could have gotten away from us, he gutted it up and made some big-time pitches,” Dawson said. “You tip your hat and be thankful he’s on our side.”
Again, the strikeout pitch was a curveball.
“If we’re going to get beat, it’s going to be with his best pitch,” Dawson said.
Chaparral added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and Coulombe struck out Goetz looking to end the game. Following a single in the third that loaded the bases, 12 of the final 14 outs registered by Coulombe came via strikeout, including six in a row at one point.
“I struggled in the beginning, but I started getting in a groove and I felt pretty good by the end of the game,” Coulombe said.
Chaparral will face off with Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor in the championship game today. The Eagles beat Tucson Catalina Foothills 3-2 in eight innings on Friday.
Jerry Dawson has been around long enough to know you can’t win a state championship without getting there first.
With that in mind, the Scottsdale Chaparral baseball coach decided to go with ace left-hander Danny Coulombe in the 4A-I semifinals Friday night, and now the Firebirds will have a chance at the title today.
Coulombe threw a six-hitter as top-seeded Chaparral rallied from a one-run deficit in the fifth inning for a 6-2 win over No. 4 Glendale Cactus under the lights at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Coulombe struck out 16 batters in the game.
“Without him, I’m not sure we have another game to play (today),” Dawson said.
Coulombe’s final line was impressive, but he got it by pitching out of some jams.
In the third inning, already ahead 1-0, Cactus loaded the bases with one out, but Coulombe threw six straight curveballs to strike out Eric Goetz and Ryan Wescott.
Cactus went ahead again in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Colton Vaughn, but Chaparral answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs for a 4-2 lead.
All three runs came with two outs, started by an RBI double from Coulombe, who went 2-for-3 for the game.
“I love hitting,” he said.
Two errors on one play put the tying run on second base with two outs in the top of the sixth for Cactus, and again Coulombe escaped the jam.
“In a couple of crucial situations where the game could have gotten away from us, he gutted it up and made some big-time pitches,” Dawson said. “You tip your hat and be thankful he’s on our side.”
Again, the strikeout pitch was a curveball.
“If we’re going to get beat, it’s going to be with his best pitch,” Dawson said.
Chaparral added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and Coulombe struck out Goetz looking to end the game. Following a single in the third that loaded the bases, 12 of the final 14 outs registered by Coulombe came via strikeout, including six in a row at one point.
“I struggled in the beginning, but I started getting in a groove and I felt pretty good by the end of the game,” Coulombe said.
Chaparral will face off with Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor in the championship game today. The Eagles beat Tucson Catalina Foothills 3-2 in eight innings on Friday.
4A-I baseball: Chaparral tops Cactus
May 10, 2008, Saturday
by Lindsey Frazier - May. 9, 2008
Special for the Republic
Scottsdale Chaparral starter Danny Coulombe may not have thrown his best game of the season, but he proved himself in key situations - both on the mound and at the plate - as he led his team to a 6-2 Class 4A Division I state semifinal win over Glendale Cactus at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Friday.
"It wasn't one of his better performances on the mound," Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said. "I think his adrenaline was a little too much in control at times. He was not as fine as he usually is. They had seen us before and had seen Danny before and they made some great adjustments."
Trailing by a run in the fifth inning, Coulombe plated the game's tying run on a double to right field to score Cody Yount. Coulombe's double was the first of three straight doubles, which yielded two more runs to give Chaparral a 4-2 advantage.
Coulombe pitched a complete game and allowed seven hits while recording 16 strikeouts. At the plate, he was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
In the third inning, Coulombe loaded the bases with one out, but retired the side on a pair of strikeouts.
"I thought he had a couple of crucial situations where the ballgame could have gotten away from us," Dawson said. "But he made some big pitches. You tip your hat and you're thankful he's on our side."
In the top of the fifth inning, Cactus catcher Michael Vaughn redeemed himself from a previous error by singling in leadoff hitter Bo Cuthbertson - who had doubled to deep left field - to give Cactus a 2-1 advantage.
Cactus southpaw Ryan Carpenter gave up four runs on seven hits and recorded six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
Chaparral takes on No. 3 seed Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor, a 3-2 winner over Tucson Catalina Foothills, Saturday at 3:07 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Chaparral and Sandra Day O'Connor met last month, with Chaparral winning a 3-2, eight-inning game.
Special for the Republic
Scottsdale Chaparral starter Danny Coulombe may not have thrown his best game of the season, but he proved himself in key situations - both on the mound and at the plate - as he led his team to a 6-2 Class 4A Division I state semifinal win over Glendale Cactus at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Friday.
"It wasn't one of his better performances on the mound," Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said. "I think his adrenaline was a little too much in control at times. He was not as fine as he usually is. They had seen us before and had seen Danny before and they made some great adjustments."
Trailing by a run in the fifth inning, Coulombe plated the game's tying run on a double to right field to score Cody Yount. Coulombe's double was the first of three straight doubles, which yielded two more runs to give Chaparral a 4-2 advantage.
Coulombe pitched a complete game and allowed seven hits while recording 16 strikeouts. At the plate, he was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
In the third inning, Coulombe loaded the bases with one out, but retired the side on a pair of strikeouts.
"I thought he had a couple of crucial situations where the ballgame could have gotten away from us," Dawson said. "But he made some big pitches. You tip your hat and you're thankful he's on our side."
In the top of the fifth inning, Cactus catcher Michael Vaughn redeemed himself from a previous error by singling in leadoff hitter Bo Cuthbertson - who had doubled to deep left field - to give Cactus a 2-1 advantage.
Cactus southpaw Ryan Carpenter gave up four runs on seven hits and recorded six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
Chaparral takes on No. 3 seed Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor, a 3-2 winner over Tucson Catalina Foothills, Saturday at 3:07 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Chaparral and Sandra Day O'Connor met last month, with Chaparral winning a 3-2, eight-inning game.
Firebirds crush Prescott to reach semifinals
May 08, 2008, Thursday
Brewer's pitching, 10-run 2nd lead Chaparral to win
by Kyle Odegard
Scottsdale Tribune
Scottsdale Chaparral baseball coach Jerry Dawson can coach until he's blue in the face, but in the end, it's still about his players.
This year, that's a scarier proposition than ever.
"I have no read on this group at all," Dawson said. "Maybe less of a read than any group I've had in 35 years. ...We just drive the bus and hope the right team gets off it."
It wasn't quite Ruth, DiMaggio and Gehrig filing off on Tuesday, but it was close.
Chaparral (25-6) used a 10-run second inning to take full control and went on to beat Prescott 14-4 in five innings in the quarterfinals of the 4A-I state tournament at Papago Park.
Fifteen batters went to the plate in the second inning and five reached base twice in the frame.
Royce Bolinger had a three-run double and Matt Summers a two-run double among plenty of base hits.
"I was almost impressed for a moment there," said a laughing Dawson, a coach who strives for perfection. "It was only a moment. It just slid by me real quick. It won't last."
Chase Brewer went all five innings on the mound, giving up three earned runs. He threw on the side twice during the marathon second inning.
"The legs get stiff and when you come out and try to throw strikes, it's hard," Brewer said.
Prescott got a run back in the top of the third, but Brewer stranded a runner at third to keep Chaparral way out in front.
Summers, Bolinger, Cody Yount, Trey Ford, Jordan Weymouth and David Roney had two hits apiece.
Weymouth ended the game by singling in Ford in the bottom of the fifth with Chaparral already ahead by nine.
The top-seeded Firebirds will face No. 4 Glendale Cactus in the semifinals on Friday. The Cobras run-ruled Tuscson Canyon del Oro on Tuesday to advance.
Dawson said either Summers or Danny Coulombe will start Friday. After that's figured out, it'll be more anxious waiting.
"You can ask any one of my coaches, because we talk about it every night," Dawson said. "How do we read this group?"
Brewer believes the team will keep it together.
"We've been all over the place all year, but coming down the stretch, I think the good team will come out," Brewer said. "We've got one more game left to get to the final, so hopefully we stay up there."
by Kyle Odegard
Scottsdale Tribune
Scottsdale Chaparral baseball coach Jerry Dawson can coach until he's blue in the face, but in the end, it's still about his players.
This year, that's a scarier proposition than ever.
"I have no read on this group at all," Dawson said. "Maybe less of a read than any group I've had in 35 years. ...We just drive the bus and hope the right team gets off it."
It wasn't quite Ruth, DiMaggio and Gehrig filing off on Tuesday, but it was close.
Chaparral (25-6) used a 10-run second inning to take full control and went on to beat Prescott 14-4 in five innings in the quarterfinals of the 4A-I state tournament at Papago Park.
Fifteen batters went to the plate in the second inning and five reached base twice in the frame.
Royce Bolinger had a three-run double and Matt Summers a two-run double among plenty of base hits.
"I was almost impressed for a moment there," said a laughing Dawson, a coach who strives for perfection. "It was only a moment. It just slid by me real quick. It won't last."
Chase Brewer went all five innings on the mound, giving up three earned runs. He threw on the side twice during the marathon second inning.
"The legs get stiff and when you come out and try to throw strikes, it's hard," Brewer said.
Prescott got a run back in the top of the third, but Brewer stranded a runner at third to keep Chaparral way out in front.
Summers, Bolinger, Cody Yount, Trey Ford, Jordan Weymouth and David Roney had two hits apiece.
Weymouth ended the game by singling in Ford in the bottom of the fifth with Chaparral already ahead by nine.
The top-seeded Firebirds will face No. 4 Glendale Cactus in the semifinals on Friday. The Cobras run-ruled Tuscson Canyon del Oro on Tuesday to advance.
Dawson said either Summers or Danny Coulombe will start Friday. After that's figured out, it'll be more anxious waiting.
"You can ask any one of my coaches, because we talk about it every night," Dawson said. "How do we read this group?"
Brewer believes the team will keep it together.
"We've been all over the place all year, but coming down the stretch, I think the good team will come out," Brewer said. "We've got one more game left to get to the final, so hopefully we stay up there."
Chaparral ace focused on state title
May 01, 2008, Thursday
by José E. Garcia - May. 1, 2008 04:33 PM
The Arizona Republic
Danny Coulombe walked on to the opponent's field that special day and knew everything was in order.
The sky was clear and even the mound seemed flawless to Coulombe, Scottsdale Chaparral's ace. Coulombe flirted with perfection on a perfect day, striking out 20 of the 22 Paradise Valley High batters he faced April 22.
The expectations are always high at Chaparral, and Coulombe is definitely exceeding them. His body of work is just as impressive: 7-0 record, 109 strikeouts in 51 innings, 0.69 ERA.
But for Coulombe, those gaudy numbers will add up to nothing if Chaparral doesn't win another state title.
"We have more important games in front of us," said Coulombe when asked whether he kept one of the baseballs from the April 22 game. "The state championship ball is what I want to keep."
Coulombe and his team will begin their quest for the program's seventh state title Saturday, when the single-elimination Class 4A Division I state tournament starts.
Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said six teams have a legitimate shot of winning the title this year. Chaparral, however, may hold the upper hand with Coulombe, a left-handed pitcher who gives batters fits with his curveballs.
Another Coulombe and former pupil of Dawson's - Coulombe's mother, Kathryn - also gave opponents fits when she won a state doubles badminton state championship during the 1970s. Most high school pitchers usually rely on two pitches to get them out of jams, but Coulombe said he feels comfortable throwing four.
Coulombe throws two types of curveballs, one he calls a get-me-over-curve he throws for strikes and another he calls a spiker curve, a knuckle curve that Coulombe throws in the dirt. Coulombe also throws a two-seem fastball that tails away from right-handed batters and four-seam fastball that goes inside.
He was in command of the four pitches April 22, when he allowed only one hit in seven innings. Another Paradise Valley batter reached base after a dropped third strike during Chaparral's 9-1 victory.
Former Tucson Cholla player Jesus Garcia set the 4A state record for strikeouts in a game in 1971 when he struck out 21 Winslow players in 11 innings.
"Going into that (April 22) game, I felt real good," Coulombe said. It was probably the best I've felt all season. That day felt amazing."
Coulombe also helped Dawson win a pizza during that amazing day.
Dawson and assistant coach Garye LaFevers were guessing what pitch Coulombe would throw during certain counts. Dawson came out the winner.
"Danny's got a good approach to the game," Dawson said. "He always tries to get himself better every year."
Coulombe also has improved as a hitter.
He was batting .489 after 49 at-bats, with three home runs and 17 RBIs. In the past, Coulombe used to overanalyze his swings, but this year he's hacking away and having fun doing so during his senior season, he said.
With his credentials, the 5-foot-11 Coulombe likely will get drafted in June, but if that doesn't pan out, he'll play for the University of Southern California next year.
"I just want to thank God for giving me the ability to pitch well," Coulombe said.
The Arizona Republic
Danny Coulombe walked on to the opponent's field that special day and knew everything was in order.
The sky was clear and even the mound seemed flawless to Coulombe, Scottsdale Chaparral's ace. Coulombe flirted with perfection on a perfect day, striking out 20 of the 22 Paradise Valley High batters he faced April 22.
The expectations are always high at Chaparral, and Coulombe is definitely exceeding them. His body of work is just as impressive: 7-0 record, 109 strikeouts in 51 innings, 0.69 ERA.
But for Coulombe, those gaudy numbers will add up to nothing if Chaparral doesn't win another state title.
"We have more important games in front of us," said Coulombe when asked whether he kept one of the baseballs from the April 22 game. "The state championship ball is what I want to keep."
Coulombe and his team will begin their quest for the program's seventh state title Saturday, when the single-elimination Class 4A Division I state tournament starts.
Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson said six teams have a legitimate shot of winning the title this year. Chaparral, however, may hold the upper hand with Coulombe, a left-handed pitcher who gives batters fits with his curveballs.
Another Coulombe and former pupil of Dawson's - Coulombe's mother, Kathryn - also gave opponents fits when she won a state doubles badminton state championship during the 1970s. Most high school pitchers usually rely on two pitches to get them out of jams, but Coulombe said he feels comfortable throwing four.
Coulombe throws two types of curveballs, one he calls a get-me-over-curve he throws for strikes and another he calls a spiker curve, a knuckle curve that Coulombe throws in the dirt. Coulombe also throws a two-seem fastball that tails away from right-handed batters and four-seam fastball that goes inside.
He was in command of the four pitches April 22, when he allowed only one hit in seven innings. Another Paradise Valley batter reached base after a dropped third strike during Chaparral's 9-1 victory.
Former Tucson Cholla player Jesus Garcia set the 4A state record for strikeouts in a game in 1971 when he struck out 21 Winslow players in 11 innings.
"Going into that (April 22) game, I felt real good," Coulombe said. It was probably the best I've felt all season. That day felt amazing."
Coulombe also helped Dawson win a pizza during that amazing day.
Dawson and assistant coach Garye LaFevers were guessing what pitch Coulombe would throw during certain counts. Dawson came out the winner.
"Danny's got a good approach to the game," Dawson said. "He always tries to get himself better every year."
Coulombe also has improved as a hitter.
He was batting .489 after 49 at-bats, with three home runs and 17 RBIs. In the past, Coulombe used to overanalyze his swings, but this year he's hacking away and having fun doing so during his senior season, he said.
With his credentials, the 5-foot-11 Coulombe likely will get drafted in June, but if that doesn't pan out, he'll play for the University of Southern California next year.
"I just want to thank God for giving me the ability to pitch well," Coulombe said.
Top-ranked Chaparral bests No. 2 O'Connor
April 13, 2008, Sunday
Top-ranked Scottsdale Chaparral rallied from a two-run deficit to beat No. 2 Glendale Sandra Day O'Connor 3-2 in eight innings in a 4A-I nonregion baseball game on Saturday at Chaparral. Down 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Roy Bollinger hit a two-run homer with Cody Yount aboard to tie it. Ryan Scott then scored on a single by Jordan Weymouth with one out in the bottom of the eighth to win it for the Firebirds (16-5).
Cleats National Invitational will showcase some top teams
March 17, 2008, Monday
By Jason P. Skoda - The Arizona Republic
The Cleats National Invitational is short on teams this year but not on talent.
The files of the Phoenix Horizon-hosted event is down to 12 teams from the normal 16 because of Easter. Five of the teams, including three from Arizona were ranked in the www.StudentSports.com preseason Fab 50.
In addition to No. 5 Scottsdale Chaparral, No. 43 Chandler Hamilton and No. 45 Horizon, Bishop Gorman (Nev.) was 17th and Rocky Mountain (Colo.) was 33rd.
"We keep getting some of the best teams we can." Phoenix Horizon coach Eric Kibler said. "There are going to be some very good games with a lot of great teams and individuals this year."
Chaparral, Hamilton and Rocky Mountain all are in Pool C; Palmdale (Calif.) Action gets under way today with four games (three at Horizon, one at Chaparral) and continues through Thursday, which the championship game schedule for 7:30 p.m.
"If people really love the game but haven't seen high-school baseball that much, this is the time to do it." Kibler said. "Baseball America (magazine) called it one of the top two tournaments in the country last year or the year before."
An Arizona school has won the tournament nine times in 11 years. Kibler believes that has served the reputation of the state well.
""We started it because it seemed like (Arizona) was never recognized on the national level," he said. "But we've had some pretty good programs come in and go home with not so good records."
For the entire schedule go to www.horizonbaseball.com
The Cleats National Invitational is short on teams this year but not on talent.
The files of the Phoenix Horizon-hosted event is down to 12 teams from the normal 16 because of Easter. Five of the teams, including three from Arizona were ranked in the www.StudentSports.com preseason Fab 50.
In addition to No. 5 Scottsdale Chaparral, No. 43 Chandler Hamilton and No. 45 Horizon, Bishop Gorman (Nev.) was 17th and Rocky Mountain (Colo.) was 33rd.
"We keep getting some of the best teams we can." Phoenix Horizon coach Eric Kibler said. "There are going to be some very good games with a lot of great teams and individuals this year."
Chaparral, Hamilton and Rocky Mountain all are in Pool C; Palmdale (Calif.) Action gets under way today with four games (three at Horizon, one at Chaparral) and continues through Thursday, which the championship game schedule for 7:30 p.m.
"If people really love the game but haven't seen high-school baseball that much, this is the time to do it." Kibler said. "Baseball America (magazine) called it one of the top two tournaments in the country last year or the year before."
An Arizona school has won the tournament nine times in 11 years. Kibler believes that has served the reputation of the state well.
""We started it because it seemed like (Arizona) was never recognized on the national level," he said. "But we've had some pretty good programs come in and go home with not so good records."
For the entire schedule go to www.horizonbaseball.com
At home on the diamond
March 17, 2008, Monday
José E. Garcia
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 12, 2008 04:11 PM
Aside from Matt Summers' talent, it didn't take Scottsdale Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson long to also notice something else that defines Summers as a baseball player.
"I love the fact that he (Summers) has a big, old grin when he's on the field," Dawson said.
Summers isn't smiling because he feels Chaparral has the upper hand on the competition, although that is usually the case.
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 12, 2008 04:11 PM
Aside from Matt Summers' talent, it didn't take Scottsdale Chaparral coach Jerry Dawson long to also notice something else that defines Summers as a baseball player.
"I love the fact that he (Summers) has a big, old grin when he's on the field," Dawson said.
Summers isn't smiling because he feels Chaparral has the upper hand on the competition, although that is usually the case.
Prep Highlights - Baseball
February 26, 2008, Tuesday
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
Royce Bolinger went 3-for-3 with three RBI's including a two-run home run in the fourth inning, as Chaparral beat host Higley 11-0 in five innings. The Firebirds plated seven runs in the third as Landon Joost hit a three-run triple and Trey Ford followed with a three-run homer. Chase Brewer was winning pitcher for the Firebirds, working four innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.
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Royce Bolinger went 3-for-3 with three RBI's including a two-run home run in the fourth inning, as Chaparral beat host Higley 11-0 in five innings. The Firebirds plated seven runs in the third as Landon Joost hit a three-run triple and Trey Ford followed with a three-run homer. Chase Brewer was winning pitcher for the Firebirds, working four innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.