The ping of bats against balls rang through the field at Canyon del Oro High School on a recent Thursday evening baseball practice. Nearby, coaches advised players on their form.
The team has been practicing hard, preparing for its upcoming season and the chance for a comeback.
After two consecutive state championships in 2022 and 2023, CDO was poised for another deep run in 2024. Then, it lost by one run in the 2024 state tournament. Now, players and coaches are determined to get back to the top.
“We faced an incredible pitcher who got drafted in the first round last year, and we gave him a battle, but came up just short, so I’m looking forward to this upcoming season,†said star shortstop Tarrell Reid, who is committed to play baseball at the University of Hawaii next year.
Canyon del Oro shortstop Tarrell Reid tries to corral an infield grounder during the Dorados’ 2-1 loss to Scottsdale Saguaro in the 2024 Arizona Class 4A state baseball championship game.
The Dorados have long been a powerhouse in Arizona high school baseball and enter this season with high expectations.
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“I’m looking forward to going out with all my boys. I think we got a great group and I’m looking forward to competing for another title,†Reid said.
Coach Jason Hisey is also excited to make another run at a state championship.
“We have tremendous tradition here, but we also have kids that work incredibly hard,†he said. “But when you get into these single elimination and double elimination tournaments, it really takes some mental toughness to get through it, and these kids have performed extremely well in those situations.â€
Despite their narrow loss in the championship game, the team had an incredible season last year, going 25-7 before falling just short of the ultimate goal.
CDO lost some of its veteran leaders last year, but younger players say they are looking forward to starting the season in new roles.
Austin McGhee, who will start at second base or third base this year, said he is ready to step up.
“Coach Hisey really enforces mental toughness and persevering and not giving up, so I feel like that really drives me to do the best that I can,†McGhee said.
Canyon del Oro head coach Jason Hisey, right, prepares for a Class 4A baseball state tournament semifinal game against Goodyear Estrella Foothills at Tempe Diablo Stadium on May 8, 2024.
Hisey said he’s pushing players to focus on the things that they can control, like playing their hardest and sprinting to the dugout after innings. They are not going to beat themselves up over things they can’t control, he said.
The coach and players say they share one common goal: to return to the top and win their third state title in four years.
“We try not to focus on the end result, we try to focus on the process,†Hisey said. “We know we can be the best team at the things that take zero talent. It’s about being the best at body language and being able to handle negative situations. If you let your circumstances control you, you’re going to have some problems.â€
The Dorados open their season on Feb. 27 against Hamilton High School in Chandler.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
