5A Quarterfinal Preview, Picks, & Predictions
NMPreps 5A 2023 New Mexico high school baseball quarterfinal preview and predictions. Thursday, May 11th will kick-off the final three rounds of the state tournament held in Albuquerque at the new Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex (north of Nusenda Community Stadium).
#1 Rio Rancho Rams (24-2-2 overall) vs #9 Rio Grande Ravens (20-9 overall)
Preview: The top-seeded Rams reach the quarterfinals and fighting off a pesky Hobbs Eagles in the opening round, 2-0 (6-5, 7-1). The star and finalizer was catcher Josh Boyer (2023) who slammed a home run in the bottom of the seventh, of game two, to send the Rams to the next round. Likely to see Rams ace Seth Lee who is 5-0 during the QF round.
Rio Grande traveled south and despite dropping the Friday night game won back-to-back on Saturday to move into Thursday's quarterfinals. This will be the first meeting between the schools despite both playing in the Albuquerque metro area. Sophomore pitcher Sebastian Chavez continues to pitch well for the Ravens this season and closed things out on Saturday afternoon against Las Cruces. Uncertain who gets the call against Rio Rancho but Chavez looked strong. Luis Salas (2024) and Leon Cereceres (2023) are two hitters to keep an eye on for the Ravens.
Pick: Rio Rancho
Prediction: Rio Rancho 8, Rio Grade 3
#2 La Cueva Bears (23-4 overall) vs #7 Sandia Matadors (19-9 overall)
Preview: District rivals will travel west across the river in a quarterfinal match-up. The 2-seed La Cueva Bears are 2-0 against the 7-seed Sandia Matadors list season.
The La Cueva Bears moved on after defeating 15-seed Mayfield in two games (13-3, 6-0). The Bears are loaded with championship level talent guided by the hitting of the Jackson Three - Senior Jackson Meng, junior Jackson Hix, and senior Jackson Kay. Will the Bears go with Brandon Kosel who is 6-0 on the season is the question.
The Sandia Matadors had their way with 10-seed Los Lunas in the opening round winning the series 2-0 (13-10, 7-1). The hitting of Aiden Griego (2024), Nico Barela (2023), and Elijah Bustillos (2023) helped elevate the Matadors. Jameer Meadows (2023) also looked solid with a 3-RBI, 2 run, and 2 hits in the first game of the series over Los Lunas. Zachary Kmatz (2024) pitched solid in a complete game that resulted in 1-run and 4-K's in the win for the Sandia.
Pick: La Cueva
Prediction: La Cueva 9, Sandia 5
#3 Carlsbad Cavemen (23-5 overall) vs #6 Centennial Hawks (24-4 overall)
Preview: The south heads north for a battle of district champions do battle in Albuquerque for a trip to the semifinals. This will be the third game between the schools with the regular series being tied 1-1 -- Centennial took the first, 6-4, and Carlsbad the second game 13-6.
The 6th seed Centennial Hawks earned their way into the quarterfinals after an impressive showing against 11-seed Farmington. The Hawks won the series 2-0 (12-4, 6-2) leaving no room for doubt. Keeran Reid (2023) hit well with 3 total RBI's in the two games. Jake Estep (2023) and Brynden Frausto (2023) also hit well for the Hawks. Aaron Gutierrez (2023) pithed 5 innings with 4 strikeouts during the second game but it was Santiago Garcia (2023) taking the spotlight in the first game who went 5 IP with 15 strikeouts.
The Carlsbad Cavemen showed no mercy against the 14-seed Cibola Cougars in the first round. The Cavemen won the series 2-0 outscoring the Cougars 21-1 in the two-game best of three series (11-1, 10-0). Senior Mack Mabrey had an eye popping 5-RBI, 2 home run, 2 runs during the second game against the Cougars. Jack Peterson (2024) also contributed 3 RBIs in the game.
Pick: Carlsbad
Prediction: Carlsbad 9, Centennial 8 - (8-innings)
#4 Volcano Vista Hawks (21-6 overall) vs #12 Piedra Vista Panthers (17-12 overall)
Preview: The Hawks and Panthers will square off for the first time this season after both teams moved on from the first round. Piedra Vista, the 12-seed, took the unusual path after 5-seed Cleveland had to forfeit after the pitcher went over the 120 pitch count limit.
The Piedra Vista Panthers dropped a close 9-8 game on Friday night against Cleveland, losing in 9-innings after leading throughout the game. They returned Saturday morning beating Cleveland 11-3 before falling on Saturday afternoon in what appeared to be the elimination game. As mentioned the Storm had to forfeit therefore moving the Panthers into the QF.
The 4-seed Volcano Vista Hawks took out 13-seed Organ Mountain in the first round, 2-0 (12-2, 4-3). The Hawks have been led by pitchers Aden Young (2023), Regan Hall (2023) and Antonio Martinez (2024) this season. We are likely to see some combination of the pitchers on Thursday.
Pick: Volcano Vista
Prediction: Volcano Vista 10, Piedra Vista 9
NMPreps 5A 2023 New Mexico high school baseball quarterfinal preview and predictions. Thursday, May 11th will kick-off the final three rounds of the state tournament held in Albuquerque at the new Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex (north of Nusenda Community Stadium).
#1 Rio Rancho Rams (24-2-2 overall) vs #9 Rio Grande Ravens (20-9 overall)
Preview: The top-seeded Rams reach the quarterfinals and fighting off a pesky Hobbs Eagles in the opening round, 2-0 (6-5, 7-1). The star and finalizer was catcher Josh Boyer (2023) who slammed a home run in the bottom of the seventh, of game two, to send the Rams to the next round. Likely to see Rams ace Seth Lee who is 5-0 during the QF round.
Rio Grande traveled south and despite dropping the Friday night game won back-to-back on Saturday to move into Thursday's quarterfinals. This will be the first meeting between the schools despite both playing in the Albuquerque metro area. Sophomore pitcher Sebastian Chavez continues to pitch well for the Ravens this season and closed things out on Saturday afternoon against Las Cruces. Uncertain who gets the call against Rio Rancho but Chavez looked strong. Luis Salas (2024) and Leon Cereceres (2023) are two hitters to keep an eye on for the Ravens.
Pick: Rio Rancho
Prediction: Rio Rancho 8, Rio Grade 3
#2 La Cueva Bears (23-4 overall) vs #7 Sandia Matadors (19-9 overall)
Preview: District rivals will travel west across the river in a quarterfinal match-up. The 2-seed La Cueva Bears are 2-0 against the 7-seed Sandia Matadors list season.
The La Cueva Bears moved on after defeating 15-seed Mayfield in two games (13-3, 6-0). The Bears are loaded with championship level talent guided by the hitting of the Jackson Three - Senior Jackson Meng, junior Jackson Hix, and senior Jackson Kay. Will the Bears go with Brandon Kosel who is 6-0 on the season is the question.
The Sandia Matadors had their way with 10-seed Los Lunas in the opening round winning the series 2-0 (13-10, 7-1). The hitting of Aiden Griego (2024), Nico Barela (2023), and Elijah Bustillos (2023) helped elevate the Matadors. Jameer Meadows (2023) also looked solid with a 3-RBI, 2 run, and 2 hits in the first game of the series over Los Lunas. Zachary Kmatz (2024) pitched solid in a complete game that resulted in 1-run and 4-K's in the win for the Sandia.
Pick: La Cueva
Prediction: La Cueva 9, Sandia 5
#3 Carlsbad Cavemen (23-5 overall) vs #6 Centennial Hawks (24-4 overall)
Preview: The south heads north for a battle of district champions do battle in Albuquerque for a trip to the semifinals. This will be the third game between the schools with the regular series being tied 1-1 -- Centennial took the first, 6-4, and Carlsbad the second game 13-6.
The 6th seed Centennial Hawks earned their way into the quarterfinals after an impressive showing against 11-seed Farmington. The Hawks won the series 2-0 (12-4, 6-2) leaving no room for doubt. Keeran Reid (2023) hit well with 3 total RBI's in the two games. Jake Estep (2023) and Brynden Frausto (2023) also hit well for the Hawks. Aaron Gutierrez (2023) pithed 5 innings with 4 strikeouts during the second game but it was Santiago Garcia (2023) taking the spotlight in the first game who went 5 IP with 15 strikeouts.
The Carlsbad Cavemen showed no mercy against the 14-seed Cibola Cougars in the first round. The Cavemen won the series 2-0 outscoring the Cougars 21-1 in the two-game best of three series (11-1, 10-0). Senior Mack Mabrey had an eye popping 5-RBI, 2 home run, 2 runs during the second game against the Cougars. Jack Peterson (2024) also contributed 3 RBIs in the game.
Pick: Carlsbad
Prediction: Carlsbad 9, Centennial 8 - (8-innings)
#4 Volcano Vista Hawks (21-6 overall) vs #12 Piedra Vista Panthers (17-12 overall)
Preview: The Hawks and Panthers will square off for the first time this season after both teams moved on from the first round. Piedra Vista, the 12-seed, took the unusual path after 5-seed Cleveland had to forfeit after the pitcher went over the 120 pitch count limit.
The Piedra Vista Panthers dropped a close 9-8 game on Friday night against Cleveland, losing in 9-innings after leading throughout the game. They returned Saturday morning beating Cleveland 11-3 before falling on Saturday afternoon in what appeared to be the elimination game. As mentioned the Storm had to forfeit therefore moving the Panthers into the QF.
The 4-seed Volcano Vista Hawks took out 13-seed Organ Mountain in the first round, 2-0 (12-2, 4-3). The Hawks have been led by pitchers Aden Young (2023), Regan Hall (2023) and Antonio Martinez (2024) this season. We are likely to see some combination of the pitchers on Thursday.
Pick: Volcano Vista
Prediction: Volcano Vista 10, Piedra Vista 9
