Feb. 20 marked the beginning of the high school baseball. West Valley Preps asked local coaches to take a look at their teams and five coaches responded:

Deer Valley Skyhawks

4A West Valley Region
Coach: Greg Rice (ninth year as coach)
2023 Record: 15-8, 7-3 region (Did not reach playoffs)
Who are your top returning players? Our top returning players are seniors Dylan English, catcher, Tanner Theall, pitcher, and Michael McDougall pitcher/OF; juniors Nate Gentz P/3B, Carter Reitz P, Marqelo Douglas 2B, and Jack Fellens OF.
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Our teams best attribute is that we return all of our pitching staff from last season and it is the strength of the team. We look to use our team speed this season to put pressure on teams offensively.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? We will need to improve timely hitting this season, making sure we do not leave base runners in scoring position.
Who are your team leaders? Senior Cody Campbell, senior Dylan English and junior Nate Gentz. They have done a great job with team building activities.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? We have a few newcomers. Junior Hunter Metz at 1B, sophomore Cam Waddell, OF, and sophomore Tyler Carr that will make an impact for us. Also, transfers, junior Grant McMeekin (Mountain Ridge), sophomore Talon Yaeger (O’Connor) and sophomore. Gaven McDonald (Liberty) will help us this season.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to play consistent baseball through the season to make the state tournament and reach our goals that we have set. We have to be solid on defense and make plays. We have a great group and are looking forward to starting the season.

Ironwood Eagles

5A Northwest Region
Coach: Rafael Sanchez (first season as Ironwood coach)
2023 Record: 8-18, 2-8 region (Did not reach playoffs)

Top returning players? Lane Stilwell, Soph., OF/P (.326, 15 RBI, 1-0, 4.27 ERA); Drake Stilwell, Sr., OF/P  (.414, 10 SB, 16 RBI, 1-0, 3.55 ERA)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? As the new head caoch here, it’s been refreshing seeing how fast the team has bought into our staffs philosophy.  Our best attribute is definitely our team cohesion and family mindset.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Our guys just need to have confidence in themselves and believe that they belong on the field on any team we face. 
Who are your team leaders? We have a few guys who have stepped into leadership roles this season.  Seniors  Angel Holguin and Drake Stilwell have lead us through their energy and play on the field. Their leadership has helped us to this fast start. 
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Isaiah Holguin and Ricardo Soto Diaz are two impact freshmen for us this year. 
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Our team will need to stay healthy and pitch to the best of of abilities in order for us to obtain our team goals.  I am looking forward to seeing how we progress as the season goes on. 

Liberty Lions

6A Desert Valley Region
Coach: Chris Raymond (eighth year as Liberty’s coach)
2023 Record: 11-17, 4-6 region (6A play-in round)
Top returning players? Gerardo Gonzales, Sr., P/UT (.313, 11 RBI, 2-3, 3.57 ERA, 35 K in 31 1/3 innings); Jacob Croxford Sr., OF/P (.282, 14 RBI)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? Versatility. We have a lot of players that can play a variety of spots. Our team can really compete in all three phases of the game: Pitching, hitting and defense.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Our team will need to relax and play the game. We have a ton of experience many players have been starting for multiple years now.
Who are your team leaders? Jacob Lewis, Gary Swann, Kyler Laird, Gerardo Gonzalez, Jacob Croxford and Derek Kiepke.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Braden Watson. He is a University of Hawaii commit and an open champion football player. He will be huge for us this spring.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Keep playing the game and just relax.

Northwest Christian Crusaders

3A North Central Region
Coach: Bobby Howry (seventh season as Northwest Christian coach)
2023 Record: 29-2, 8-4 region (3A state champions)
Top returning players? Brandon Ornelas, Sr., SS (.459, 15 SB, 7 RBI); Jordan Hart, Sr., C (.231, 9 RBI, 4-2, 3.18 ERA, 44 K in 39 2/3 innings)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? This year we are returning 11 seniors. Starting pitchers Gunnar Penzkover and Trot Simms both return to the top of our rotation. 
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? With two key pitchers going down with preseason injuries we’re left with little room for error.  
Who are your team leaders? Penzkover along with Bryan Lorenz set the tone for the teams offense while SS Kyler Thruston and 2B Cole Muscari anchor the defense.
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? Our biggest obstacle this year is our depth.

Sunrise Mountain Mustangs

5A Northwest Region
Coach: Michael Deardoff (sixth season as Sunrise Mountain coach)
2023 Record: 15-11, 8-4 region (5A play-in game)
Top returning players? Brandon Ornelas, Sr., SS (.459, 15 SB, 7 RBI); , Tanner Milner Sr., P (.231, 9 RBI, 4-2, 3.18 ERA, 44 K in 39 2/3 innings)
What is your team’s best attribute entering this season? We have several returning players who gained valuable experience last year who will be able to lead our team.
What will your team need to improve for the season to be a success? Offensively we need to continue to make strides each week.
Who are your team leaders? We have six returning seniors who will be able to lead our team. Brandon Ornelas, Cory Oxford, Tanner Milner, Andrew Balian, Conner Mayer and Beau Crabtree.
Who are newcomers to the varsity squad that could make an impact? Logan Guilford, Ryan Haseltine, Chase Heid and Ayden McGinnis
What needs to happen for your squad to reach the state tournament this season, or reach the goals the program has set? We need to continue to improve each game and be consistent with our effort and focus.