The year brought new challenges for local baseball teams but also gave rise to new traditions and notable accomplishments. Athletes were recognized and rewarded for their dedication and hard work throughout the year when the Colorado High School Activities Association named this year’s 2025 baseball all-state teams.
For the Panthers, Cory Carver guided the team to a strong 23-6 record and its deepest run yet in the state tournament. He led Montezuma-Cortez in nearly every key category, accumulating 48 hits, 49 runs, 38 RBIs, 11 doubles, and eight triples. Carver’s efforts earned him First Team honors, a step up from his previous honorable mentions in his freshman and sophomore years.
Seth Oakes, a versatile left-handed pitcher and center fielder, pitched 38.2 innings with 45 strikeouts and added 16 RBIs at the plate, earning him Second Team honors and building on his honorable mention as a junior.
Defensive contributors Darren Daves and Michael Krupa also received recognition, with Daves anchoring the Panthers’ defense at shortstop and center field, boasting a .841 fielding percentage and 42 putouts. Krupa, at second base and in the outfield position, impressed with a .897 fielding percentage and one of the team’s highest batting averages, earning his first honorable mention.
Over with the Bulldogs, senior Sheldon Gardner emerged as an all-rounder. Gardner’s .615 batting average, combined with 40 hits, 34 RBIs, and 12 doubles, helped propel his team to a 6-3 District 1-1A record with key victories over other Class 1A top-seeded opponents. His defensive skills and pitching prowess, posting a .938 fielding percentage and 58 strikeouts in 38 innings, secured him a Second Team spot in his debut and final appearance on the list.
Rounding out Dove Creek’s honorees were Trevan Ivie and Cael Beanland, both earning honorable mentions for their contributions. Ivie’s offense included 28 runs, 25 hits, 23 RBIs, and eight doubles. Beanland’s speed and pitching paced his efforts, scoring 33 runs, stealing 19 bases, and posting the team’s lowest ERA along with 55 strikeouts over 35.2 innings.
The all-state baseball selections were determined by votes from head coaches across the state, with players earning first-team, second-team, or honorable mention honors based on the number of votes they received.
