Desert Mountain High School Baseball program prides itself on developing outstanding student athletes. We look for players who have a great work ethic on and off the field, a positive attitude, and a desire to be a team player.
The Wolves started their baseball program in 1996, with only a Junior Varsity and Freshman team. Bill Berger was the head JV coach, Bryan Rice was his assistant, and Terry Kellen headed the Freshman.
In the spring of 1997 Desert Mountain had its first varsity game in Tucson vs. Catalina Foothills, and competed in the 4A East Sky Region. In 1998 and 1999, they moved to the 5A Northwest region, and qualified for the state tournament both years. In 2000, they moved to the 5A East Valley region, where they took 2nd place. They made it to the Final Four of the state tournament that year losing a heart breaker 14-13 in 9 innings to Desert Vista. That also marked the last game for Coach Berger as he retired from coaching after the game.
In 2001 Coach Rice took over, as head coach, Terry Kellen, and Mark Rice were his assistants. In 2002 and 2003, the Wolves once again moved regions into the Central region. In 2003, Desert Mountain won its first region title, only losing once in region the entire year. They also made it to the Final Four in the state tournament and finished with a school best record of 27-6.
In 2004, Desert Mountain switched regions again to the Desert Valley region. That year they finished tied for the region title, and once again made it to the Final Four in the state tournament losing to the eventual state champions 12-11. The Wolves finished the year breaking the school record for wins with 28, and were ranked 18th nationally by USA Today. In 2005, Desert Mountain remained competitive, despite losing many key players from the year before, winning the first round of the state playoffs, but losing in the second, and finishing with a record of 25-9.
2006, was the year of adversity. Many key players got hurt or sick during the year, including our #1 pitcher and starting catcher going out the week before state, but when one player went down, someone else stepped up. This team was ranked #1 the entire season, but lost two one run extra inning games in the state tournament, and finished 26-7.
2007, was another first for Desert Mountain. This team got to the state championship, losing 4-3 in 8 innings. This team was defined by the word TEAM. Only returning 3 starters from the year before, losing one of their best players before the season ever began, couldn’t keep this team down. Every game a different player stepped up, and took us where no other team from Desert Mountain had ever been.
2008, turned out to be an up and down year. We started strong winning the Scottsdale QB Club tournament with an 11-10 victory over Chaparral. We then went through some struggles, but put it together for the state tournament. The Wolves beat Gilbert in the first round of state, and then lost an 11 inning game against the #1 seed Mtn. View Toro’s. The team showed great determination by bouncing back in the next game and eliminating Brophy Prep, then was down 7-1 and scored 8 runs in the sixth inning to eliminate Corona Del Sol, then avenged the earlier state loss by upsetting Mountain View. The Wolves fell short in the semi-finals by losing to eventual champion Hamilton. It was a great run and the 2008 team will always be remembered for not giving up.
The program has been successful on the field, but takes real pride in seeing its former players go on to have success in the real world, and becoming outstanding citizens in our community. We always look forward to former players returning and sharing their life experiences, and want them to know that they will always be Wolves!
The Strength of the Wolf is in the Pack
Attention Alumni Hall of Fame Members: We would like to add a picture of you to your name. If you could send us a picture of you playing at Desert Mountain, in College, or at the Professional level, we will attach it to your name. E-mail any pictures to webmaster@dmhswolvesbaseball.com.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Strength of the Wolf is in the Pack
And the strength of Pack is the Wolf
