Corona Del Sol Baseball: Arizona’s Rising 6A Powerhouse
Corona del Sol baseball has emerged as a powerhouse in Arizona high school sports, with a talented 2025 roster featuring five Division I commits and championship aspirations after a challenging 2024 season.
Corona del Sol Baseball
Corona del Sol High School’s baseball program has established itself as one of the most promising teams in Arizona’s competitive high school baseball landscape. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the Aztecs compete in the 6A classification, the highest level of competition in the state. Under the leadership of head coach Dave Webb, the team has built a reputation for excellence both on the field and in the classroom. The 2025 season represents a pivotal year for the program as they look to bounce back from a challenging 2024 campaign and contend for a state championship.
Team History and Recent Accomplishments
The Corona del Sol baseball program boasts an impressive list of achievements that highlight their competitive nature and commitment to excellence. They have been runners-up in the 6A State Championship, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level of Arizona high school baseball. The team has won their region for three consecutive years, establishing themselves as a dominant force in their conference.
Beyond regional success, the Aztecs have excelled in prestigious tournaments across the country. They claimed victory in the Boras Classic Tournament, which is ranked as the third most competitive high school tournament in the nation. This achievement speaks volumes about their ability to perform against elite competition. Additionally, the team participated in the USA Baseball National High School Invitational in Cary, North Carolina, which is recognized as the premier high school tournament in the country, featuring 16 of the best teams nationwide.
What makes Corona del Sol’s baseball program particularly impressive is their commitment to academic excellence alongside athletic achievement. The team has maintained a collective GPA above 3.5, demonstrating that their student-athletes prioritize performance in the classroom as well as on the diamond.
Coaching Staff and Leadership
The success of any high school sports program begins with quality coaching, and Corona del Sol benefits from an experienced and dedicated coaching staff. Head coach Dave Webb leads the program with a focus on developing well-rounded student-athletes. His leadership has been instrumental in the team’s consistent success over recent years.
The coaching structure at Corona del Sol is comprehensive, with specialized coaches at each level of the program. Nathan Chokey serves as the JV Head Coach, while Eric Moskal leads the freshman team. This tiered approach ensures that players receive appropriate development at each stage of their high school careers.
The program also benefits from a deep roster of assistant coaches, including Dave Baxter, Kyle Coggins, Brian Jacobus, Brent Pearce, Chico Rodriguez, Ronald Romo, Brandon Romney, and Tanner Vesely. This extensive coaching staff provides players with diverse perspectives and specialized instruction, contributing to the program’s overall success.
2025 Season Outlook and Expectations
After a challenging 2024 season in which the team finished with a 10-18 record, the Corona del Sol Aztecs are positioned for a significant turnaround in 2025. The addition of key players and the development of returning talent have created high expectations for the upcoming season.
Key Additions and Transfers
The most notable addition to the 2025 roster is Brett Crossland, widely regarded as the top-ranked pitcher in Arizona’s 2025 class. Crossland, a University of Texas commit, transferred from Mountain Pointe High School and brings an imposing presence to the mound. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 240 pounds, he possesses a fastball that touches 95 mph with a 2450 spin rate. His pitch arsenal also includes a 76-78 mph curveball, a 75-77 mph slider, and an 85-86 mph changeup.
During his junior year at Mountain Pointe, Crossland compiled an impressive 8-1 record with a 2.24 ERA across 11 appearances. He demonstrated exceptional control and dominance by striking out 94 batters while walking just 22 in 56.1 innings pitched. His addition to the Corona del Sol pitching staff immediately elevates the team’s ceiling and provides them with a true ace who can compete against any lineup in the state.
Returning Talent and Division I Commits
With Crossland’s arrival, Corona del Sol now boasts five Division I commits, the most of any high school baseball program in Arizona. This concentration of high-level talent has significantly raised expectations for the 2025 season and positioned the Aztecs as legitimate contenders for the 6A State Championship.
Among the key returning players is Jaiden Lo Re, a Brigham Young University (BYU) commit who serves as the team’s shortstop and a dynamic presence in the lineup. Lo Re’s combination of defensive skills and offensive production makes him a cornerstone of the team’s success.
The pitching staff features several standout arms beyond Crossland. Ryan Caruso, an Arizona State University commit, brings a fastball that sits at 86-89 mph with a 2454 spin rate. His pitch mix includes a 77 mph curveball with significant depth and an 81 mph changeup. Caruso’s loose athleticism and ability to consistently locate his fastball down in the zone give him a promising starter profile.
Zane Burns represents another key piece of the pitching staff. The 6’4″ right-hander posted a 3-3 record with a 3.20 ERA in 13 appearances during the 2024 season, striking out 40 batters in 35 innings. Early in the 2025 season, Burns has shown significant improvement, starting 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts against just three walks in seven innings. His arsenal includes a 91 mph fastball with a 2505 spin rate, complemented by an 84 mph curveball and a 79-85 mph changeup.
Promising Underclassmen
While the senior class garners much of the attention, Corona del Sol’s roster features several underclassmen who are expected to make significant contributions in 2025 and beyond. This depth of talent across multiple classes positions the program for sustained success.
The class of 2026 includes several promising prospects:
- Kellan Tom (1B)
- Parker Williams (OF)
- Carter Jacobson (RHP/OF)
- David Moss (SS/2B)
Even younger players are making their mark on the program, with the classes of 2027 and 2028 featuring talents such as:
- Conor Rae (’27 UTL)
- Ben Jacobus (’28 OF)
- Gabrial Becho-Garcia (’27 1B/RHP)
- Quinton Griffin (’27 OF)
The development of these younger players will be crucial for maintaining the program’s competitive edge in the coming years. Their integration into varsity roles, even in limited capacities, provides valuable experience that will benefit both the players and the program long-term.
Recent Performance and Game Results
The 2025 season has shown promising signs of the turnaround that many expected from Corona del Sol. After a difficult start to their season with several losses against top California competition, the Aztecs have found their stride in recent weeks.
Current Winning Streak
As of April 2025, Corona del Sol has built an impressive five-game winning streak, demonstrating the potential of their talented roster. Their most recent victory came on March 20, 2025, when they defeated Shadow Ridge High School by a dominant score of 10-0. This shutout victory highlights the strength of their pitching staff and the efficiency of their offense.
The winning streak began on March 14, 2025, with an 11-4 victory over La Cueva High School in the Boras Classic tournament. The team followed this with a 5-2 win against Catalina Foothills High School on March 15, a 6-0 shutout of Pinnacle High School on March 17, and an 11-6 victory over Mountain View High School on March 19, before capping the streak with their win against Shadow Ridge.
Season Performance Analysis
Prior to their current winning streak, the Aztecs experienced a four-game winning streak that was snapped on March 13, 2025, with a 3-6 loss to Basic High School in the Boras Classic tournament. That earlier streak included a 10-0 victory over Centennial High School, a 13-4 win against Tucson High Magnet School, and a 10-0 shutout of Mountain Ridge High School.
The team’s ability to put together multiple winning streaks demonstrates their resilience and potential for sustained success. Their performance in tournament play, particularly in the prestigious Boras Classic, indicates that they can compete with high-level competition from across the region.
Looking at their complete 2024 season results provides context for their improvement in 2025. Last year, the team struggled with consistency, particularly early in the season. They began the 2024 campaign with five consecutive losses before securing their first win against Hamilton on February 29, 2024. The team showed flashes of potential throughout the season but ultimately finished with a 10-18 record.
The contrast between their 2024 performance and their current trajectory in 2025 highlights the impact of their roster additions and the development of returning players. The team appears to have addressed the consistency issues that plagued them last season, particularly in close games.
Player Spotlight: Top Performers
Corona del Sol’s roster features several standout performers who have contributed significantly to the team’s success in 2025. These players represent the core of the team’s talent and will be crucial to their championship aspirations.
Brett Crossland: The Ace
As previously mentioned, Brett Crossland has transformed Corona del Sol’s pitching staff since his arrival from Mountain Pointe. The Texas commit brings not only elite velocity but also advanced pitchability and command that is rare at the high school level. His imposing physical presence (6’6″, 240 lbs) and four-pitch mix make him a legitimate prospect for the MLB Draft.
Crossland’s ability to dominate opposing lineups gives Corona del Sol a significant advantage in any series or tournament format. In high school baseball, having a true ace can be the difference between an early playoff exit and a championship run. His presence also takes pressure off the rest of the pitching staff, allowing other arms to slot into roles that better suit their abilities.
Cooper Clouser: The Backstop
Cooper Clouser, an Arizona State University commit, anchors the team from behind the plate as their primary catcher. He also provides versatility with his ability to play first base when needed. Clouser’s defensive skills and game-calling ability provide stability for the pitching staff, while his offensive contributions add depth to the lineup.
Early in the 2025 season, Clouser has demonstrated his offensive capabilities with timely hitting, including a laser single into shallow center field that contributed to a scoring opportunity. His development as both a defensive catcher and an offensive threat makes him a valuable piece of Corona del Sol’s championship puzzle.
Jaiden Lo Re: The Shortstop
Jaiden Lo Re, committed to BYU, serves as the team’s shortstop and a key catalyst in the lineup. His defensive range and arm strength solidify the middle of the infield, while his dynamic offensive abilities make him a threat in multiple ways. Lo Re’s leadership as an upperclassman provides stability for the team both on and off the field.
Program Development and Future Outlook
The current success of Corona del Sol’s baseball program is the result of years of development and strategic planning. The program has built a pipeline of talent through their three levels of teams (Varsity, JV, and Freshman), ensuring that players receive appropriate development at each stage of their high school careers.
Recruiting and College Commitments
The program’s ability to produce Division I talent speaks to the quality of coaching and development within the system. With five Division I commits on the 2025 roster, Corona del Sol has established itself as a destination for college recruiters looking for well-coached, academically successful student-athletes.
The visibility that comes from participating in prestigious tournaments like the Boras Classic and the USA Baseball National High School Invitational provides valuable exposure for players seeking college opportunities. These events attract college coaches and professional scouts, giving Corona del Sol players a platform to showcase their abilities against elite competition.
Long-term Program Building
The depth of talent across multiple graduating classes suggests that Corona del Sol’s baseball program is built for sustained success rather than a single championship run. The presence of promising underclassmen ensures that the program will remain competitive even after the current senior class graduates.
The coaching staff’s emphasis on development at all levels of the program creates a consistent pipeline of talent ready to step into varsity roles when opportunities arise. This systematic approach to program building has positioned Corona del Sol as one of the premier baseball programs in Arizona.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
