Coaches coach and players play.

That’s the way Skyridge coach Ryan Roberts sees things as his Falcons head into the Class 6A state tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Just keep it simple.

“This is the state tournament and we need to understand what it is,” Roberts said. “As coaches, we just need to get out of the kids’ way. Our coaches mindset, including mine, is intense. We want to win and we need to just calm down and let the kids play. I told them, we’re as good of baseball players as anybody we’ve played against, and we’ve played a lot of good teams. These tournaments are about whatever team can play their game.”

Skyridge won its first Region 4 title this season, sweeping American Fork in the final week of the season. The Falcons have established themselves as one of the top teams in the state with a potent offensive lineup and a deep pitching staff.

“We didn’t start out great,” senior third baseman Tyler Ball said. “We were 1-2 and I’m guessing everyone was looking past us. Then we did what we’ve done in region and I think a lot of people weren’t expecting that. That’s exactly what we want is getting people on their heels.

“I feel like we’ve done just about everything right this year. I love the spot we’re in and I love how these boys compete. It’s going to be fun to see what we do in the tournament.”

As the No. 1 seed, Skyridge (17-5) will open state tournament play next Thursday in the Super Regionals, hosting the winner of the Davis-Herriman matchup. Top challengers in 6A include No. 2 seed Cyprus (21-4) and No. 3 seed Fremont (21-3). American Fork, which won the state title in 2021 and finished as runner-up in 2022, is the No. 7 seed despite a six-game losing streak heading into the state tournament. Last year’s state champions, Riverton (17-8) in the No. 6 seed. Pleasant Grove (13-11) earned the No. 8 seed and has a bye to the Super Regionals.

Olympus (21-1) grabbed the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A tournament but there are plenty of other teams who could make a run. No. 2 Timpanogos (21-4) has won eight straight games. No. 3 seed Salem Hills (20-5) has an interesting matchup looming in the Super Regionals with Spanish Fork. The Dons (10-13) have to get past Park City but did take two of three from the Skyhawks, which won Region 9.

The defending 5A champions, Lehi (18-6), are the No. 4 seed and will be a tough out in the tournament. No. 7 seed Orem (16-9) has won 14 of its past 15 games, including two of three from Region 8 champ and No. 6 seed Jordan (17-8) to end the regular season.

The Regional and Super Regional rounds are best of three for both 6A and 5A. Regionals begin Saturday with Game 1 of a best-of-three series. Bracket play begins on May 22 with 6A teams at Utah Valley’s UCCU Ballpark and 5A at BYU’s Miller Park.

The finals are also a best-of-three format and will be played at UCCU Ballpark May 26 and 27.

For matchups and game times, refer to the Utah High School Activities Association website at uhsaa.org.