Quality regular-season outputs and contributions to a stellar postseason run helped three Durango High School baseball players land on the All-Southwestern League team.
Blake Dunlap and Isiah Mayberry turned in first-team performances, while Connor Dugan was a second-team selection for a Durango team that went 9-10 in the regular season before rallying to make the final four in Class 4A baseball.
Dunlap spent most of the season putting a hurt on opposing pitching, hitting a league-leading .560 and driving in a Southwestern League-best 40 runs. The junior outfielder also had 10 triples, seven stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .620 and 34 runs scored. His 38 regular-season hits were the most by a DHS player in head coach Rob Coddington’s tenure, the head coach said.
“I know in our seven years, he’s probably the most prolific hitter, for sure. He’s real patient at the plate and takes what the pitcher gives him. ... Pretty outstanding for a high school junior,” Coddington said.
Mayberry, a junior, filled the big hole left by graduated catcher Danny Rowley with great aplomb, hitting .365 with 31 RBIs, 25 runs scored and a team-leading four home runs.
He was a wall behind the plate, too, committing no passed balls and just five errors while racking up a fielding percentage of .969 despite playing through what Coddington said was a pulled groin and an injured thumb on his catching hand.
“I definitely think he was probably the hardest-working catcher in the conference,” Coddington said. “(Grand Junction Central’s Kyle) Serrano is a good catcher, but I think Isiah all-around pretty much outworked anybody we saw at that position all season.”
Dugan capped a quality high school career with a .447 average, 42 runs scored, 24 RBIs and 12 doubles. He also stole four bases and provided Coddington with the kind of leadoff hitter he adores.
“We always like our leadoff guy – obviously we want him to get on base – but I love the leadoff guy who hits the first pitch off the wall for a double to lead off the game. ... And he did an outstanding job of that this year,” Coddington said.
Montrose’s Skylar Haynes earned Player of the Year honors, while his coach, Landon Wareham, earned Coach of the Year honors as both helped the Indians win the SWL and advance to state.
rowens@durangoherald.com
