AIR FORCE ACADEMY – The Golden Demons baseball team from Golden High School secured their first Class 4A state championship in 22 years, defeating Cheyenne Mountain 5-1 in a decisive game on Saturday. The victory, held at the Air Force Academy’s Erdle Field, marked the end of Cheyenne Mountain’s remarkable playoff run.

For Luca Casali and several of his Golden teammates, this win was years in the making. “Ever since that loss (two years ago),it’s just ate at me,” Casali said. “This has just been a huge goal for all of us that were on that team. This was such a fun year and a great team to do it with.”

“This feels amazing,” Casali added, reflecting on the team’s achievement.

Casali, a senior first baseman, played a pivotal role in the championship game, recording two hits, a walk, and scoring three runs.He was a member of the Golden team that narrowly lost the 2023 4A championship game to Severance. This year’s victory marked a notable turnaround for Casali and his teammates.

The senior class consistently reached the state tournament throughout their high school careers. After a programme-record 26 wins last year, the demons finished fourth, fueling their determination for this season.

The road to the championship wasn’t without its challenges. “A phenomenal season,” said Golden coach Jackie McB