Following a strong season in which the Durango High School baseball team reached the state tournament’s final four, some DHS stars have received postseason honors.
DHS seniors Blake Dunlap, Isiah Mayberry and Jeremy Szura all were selected to the Southwestern League All-Conference First Team. Casey Dunlap, a junior, also was selected to the second team.
“Blake and Isiah are returners on the first team from last year. Making it a few years in a row shows how solid of kids they are and how hard they work,” said Rob Coddington, the DHS coach who resigned following the season. “Jeremy had a great year offensively, and you won’t find too many kids that play as hard as he does every game; he gives you everything he’s got.”
Szura, son of Kari and Matt Szura, led the Demons in extra-base hits with eight doubles, five triples and one home run while batting for a .389 average. Both Dunlaps, sons of Aaron and Julie Dunlap, and Mayberry hit .500 in SWL games.
Blake Dunlap finished the season with a .413 average with five doubles, three triples and two homers. Casey Dunlap finished with a .403 average, 10 doubles and two homers, and Mayberry, son of George and Tonya Mayberry hit .421 with five doubles, three triples and one homer.
But it was the play in the field that Coddington said made the players so well-rounded.
“Isiah is a machine behind the plate at catcher. We had a lot of confidence in what he does, and teams couldn’t really run on him. He would pick ya off back door or throw ya out if you tried to steal,” Coddington said. “Blake and Casey really stepped up on the mound for us this year. Blake emerged as a No. 1 pitcher by the time we got into the meat of league play. He always had a reputation for his bat, but he stepped up big time. Casey gave us great innings on the mound, whether it was as a closer or a starter, especially toward the end of the year.”
Blake Dunlap will attend Chico State University in California, where he will play baseball next year. Isiah Mayberry signed with Fort Lewis College to play football. Coddington fully expects Casey Dunlap to follow in his brother’s footsteps and continue his playing career in college after he graduates high school in 2015.
“Casey is a great athlete, and I expect to see him on the first team all-conference next year and end up somewhere after his senior year playing ball as well,” Coddington said.
Montrose’s Tyrus Lopez was named the SWL Player of the Year after a strong season on the mound, and Montrose head coach Landon Wareham was named coach of the year after leading the Indians to a conference title and a 13-4 overall record.
All-state teams have yet to be announced. Coaches are currently going through the process of submitting their selections.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
