Although it would be easy to assume the 3A state title chase is a two-horse race between defending champ Northwest Christian and Valley Christian, baseball never really works out that way, does it?

Add solid clubs like Yuma Catholic, Gilbert Christian, Pusch Ridge and River Valley into the mix, and the Goodyear Baseball Complex and Tempe Diablo Stadium will be rocking in May.

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN

The No. 2-seeded Crusaders (22-2, 11-0 3A North Central) are coming off back-to-back 3A state championships in 2022 and 2023, and are looking to add a third when the state playoffs get underway April 30.

Coach Bob Howry believes if his club plays “consistent baseball,” they’ll have a good opportunity to “come out on top” when it’s all said and done.

“With 11 seniors on this roster, we have experience and guys that know what it takes to win a title,” Howry said.

Those seniors include Gunnar Penzkover, Trot Simms, Bryan Lorenz, Kyler Thruston and Cole Muscari (stats unavailable as they were not entered in on MaxPreps.com this season).

Northwest Christian beat then-No. 1 Valley Christian in the title game a season ago, 4-2, and beat ALA-Gilbert North 2-1 in 2022.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN

The No. 1-seeded Trojans (23-1, 10-0 3A South Central) went undefeated at home this season (15-0) and claimed a region crown to earn this year’s top seed in the 3A state playoffs as the program looks to claim its first championship since 2011.

Coach Vince Lagatta said it’s important to focus on one game at a time, but he believes his roster can match up with anyone in the field.

“We are a very deep team that can be flexible to the opponent we are playing,” Lagatta said. “We have very strong arms in our starting rotation and bullpen.”

One of those arms is junior Caleb Sweeney, who struck out 40 batters in just 23-2/3 innings this year for a 2.37 ERA.

Junior catcher Caleb Danzeisen leads the group offensively with a .530 average, six home runs, seven doubles, two triples and 33 RBIs.

YUMA CATHOLIC

As the only team to hand Valley Christian a loss this season, Yuma Catholic (20-4, 9-1 3A West) comes into the 3A state playoffs having won 11 of its last 12 games, the last a tough 7-4 loss to Pusch Ridge on April 19.

The 3A West champs earned a No. 3 seed when state games get underway April 30.

Coach Judd Thrower said the pitching staff is leading the way in 2024.

“Our pitchers being able to keep teams off balance and giving our offense the ability to find its groove [is key],” Thrower said.

Collectively, the Shamrocks boast a 1.61 ERA with 214 strikeouts and only 64 walks.

Leading the staff is junior hurler Mickey Fox, who was 8-1 this season with a miniscule 0.79 ERA in 44-1/3 innings pitched this spring. His strikeout-to-walk ration is absurd, with 91 strikeouts compared to just 26 walks.

Hiram Silva isn’t too far behind. The super sophomore struck out 50 batters this season while walking only one in 33-1/3 innings pitched to finish the regular season with a 0.83 ERA and 6-1 record.

OTHER TEAM NOTES

Gilbert Christian Jeremy Kuiper leads all 3A batters with nine home runs and 45 RBIs, and 48 runs scored this season, helping the Knights win 18 games. … Pusch Ridge won a 3A South region title this spring thanks to the big bat of Bubba Mustain, who hit seven homers and tallied 38 RBIs while hitting at a .449 clip. … Florence Wyatt Stenson leads the team with .419 average, while Cameron Lorefice has 24 RBIs. … River Valley surprised 3A baseball with a run to the semifinals a season ago before losing to Northwest Christian. They’re back for more in 2024. … Fountain Hills comes into the state playoffs having won four straight, including two against Scottsdale Christian.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.