Good Morning, my name is Javier Picazo, O-line Coach at Eunice High School. We are in need of a scrimmage before Week 1. We are also looking for a week 6 game, which would be on September 26th. Please reach out to Head Coach Greg Jackson at gjackson@eunice.org or to me at jpicazo@eunice.org. Thank you for your time.

For anyone who forgets to check out the baseball board or wants to catch up on baseball content:
https://nmpreps.forums.rivals.com/forums/baseball-message-board.20/

2025 Class 5A Baseball Quarterfinal Preview and Predictions

Thursday, May 15 | Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex – Albuquerque, NM

After a wild opening round that included a No. 14 seed upsetting a title favorite and dominant performances by several top seeds, the 2025 Class 5A state tournament now shifts to quarterfinals play on Thursday. Below is a full breakdown of all four matchups, including players to watch and score predictions.

No. 1 La Cueva Bears (25-3) vs No. 9 Los Lunas Tigers (18-10), 7:00 p.m.

La Cueva continues to roll with dominant back-to-back performances in the first round, defeating Las Cruces 10-0 and 7-3. The Bears have outscored opponents 297-78 this season and feature a loaded roster that includes Braiden Reynolds (2025, Grand Canyon commit), Jake Travis (2025), and Luke Feist (2026, UNM commit). They’ve already beaten Los Lunas twice this year, 8-4 and 9-4.

Talent runs deep for the Bears, with Brayden Likar (2025, Paradise Valley CC), Reid Jacobson (2025, UNM commit), Dylan Blomker (2026, LSU commit), and Everett Burdett (2025, Oregon State commit) rounding out an all-star-level lineup.

Los Lunas enters red-hot after dismantling Volcano Vista 15-1 and 14-0 in the opening round. The Tigers are powered by Jasiah Byers (2026), JJ Utash (2027), and Matthew Castillo (2025), with a lineup capable of surprising anyone when locked in.

NMPreps Prediction: La Cueva 9, Los Lunas 5. Los Lunas will put up a fight, but La Cueva’s depth and firepower should be too much late.

No. 2 Rio Rancho Rams (22-6) vs No. 7 Centennial Hawks (22-6), 10:00 a.m.

Rio Rancho showed off its championship potential in the first round, eliminating Farmington 9-2 and 13-5. The Rams are paced by top arms Adan Bustos (2025), Richard Reiffenberger (2028), and Brandon Segal (2025), with Wyatt Tinker (2026) anchoring the infield.

Centennial swept Rio Grande 16-6 and 8-5 and enters the quarterfinals with balanced production across the lineup. Key contributors include Israel Molina (2026), Cole Alons (2026), and Gabriel Torres (2026), who have helped lead the Hawks to over 210 runs this season.

NMPreps Prediction: Rio Rancho 6, Centennial 3. This one could stay tight through the middle innings, but Rio Rancho's arms and big-game experience give them the edge.

No. 4 Cleveland Storm (20-8) vs No. 5 Eldorado Eagles (21-7), 4:00 p.m.

A rematch of a 7-4 extra-inning thriller from March, this one has the makings of a classic. Cleveland bounced back from a Game 1 loss to Mayfield to win the series 2-1, showing resiliency and timely hitting. The Storm will lean on a deep roster including Treven Polanco (2026), Larry Garcia (2025), and catcher Owen Bishop (2025).

Eldorado, winners of eight straight, handled Organ Mountain 1-0 and 5-1 to advance. The Eagles are led by Timothy Kamphuis (2026), Kavan Salas (2025), and Ethan Marquez (2025), a trio that combines for power, speed, and mound presence.

NMPreps Prediction: Eldorado 5, Cleveland 4. Expect another close one, but Eldorado’s current momentum gives them the slight nod.

No. 6 Sandia Matadors (20-8) vs No. 14 Cibola Cougars (17-12), 1:00 p.m.

Cibola pulled off the biggest surprise of the first round, eliminating No. 3 Carlsbad in three games. The Cougars are dangerous offensively with Jacob Segotta (2025), Jacob Escobedo (2026), and Ryan Hutchinson (2026) providing pop at the plate.

Sandia advanced past Piedra Vista with a bounce-back series, winning Games 2 and 3 by a combined score of 20-7. The Matadors rely on pitchers Adriel Figueroa-Brito (2025), Levi Brooks (2025), and Charles Armijo (2025).

NMPreps Prediction: Sandia 7, Cibola 6. A potential slugfest between two powerful lineups. Sandia’s bats should be the difference in a high-scoring affair.

Grine’s Final Thoughts

The opening round was full of fireworks — and the quarterfinals could deliver even more.

La Cueva has looked unstoppable and holds two wins over Los Lunas, but the Tigers come in riding a wave of confidence. Rio Rancho vs. Centennial might be the most even matchup on paper, while Cleveland vs. Eldorado is a rematch worth watching after their earlier 9-inning battle.

Then there’s Sandia vs. Cibola — the ultimate contrast between a proven contender and a team that just shocked the bracket.

My most likely upset is No. 14 Cibola over Sandia, but Centennial over Rio Rancho is also a strong possibility.

Bottom line: the championship road still runs through La Cueva, but with strong challengers lined up in every direction, expect another memorable day at Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex.

Grine's Picks: La Cueva, Centennial, Eldorado, Sandia

Which matchups are the most intriguing in the quarterfinals and potential semifinals on Thursday and Friday?

Which games are you planning to watch—live or streamed?

2025 Class 3A Baseball Quarterfinal Preview and Predictions
Thursday, May 15 | Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex – Albuquerque, NM

After a clean sweep across all four first-round series, the Class 3A baseball bracket heads into Thursday's quarterfinals. From dominant offenses to deep pitching staffs, each of the remaining contenders has a path — but only one will raise the blue trophy in Albuquerque.

Here’s a breakdown of each quarterfinal matchup and score predictions:

#1 New Mexico Military Institute Colts (19-6) vs. #9 Sandia Prep Sundevils (15-12)
Thursday, May 15 – 7:00 p.m.

NMMI dominated the season series against Sandia Prep, winning three games by a combined score of 41-4. The Colts are led by senior duo Tegin Maloney (.517 AVG, 6 HR, 111 K in 59.2 IP) and Javier Yepiz Galindo (.470 AVG, 3 HR, 41 K in 31.2 IP). Grant Maloney (.387 AVG, 24 RBI) adds another strong bat to a lineup that’s racked up 223 runs this season.

Sandia Prep enters with momentum after scoring 38 runs in a two-game sweep of Cobre. Landon Hardcastle (.556 AVG, 7 3B, 2 HR) and Logan Lemons (.519 AVG, 7 3B, 2 HR) are the top offensive threats. The Sundevils will need a hot start to reverse their season struggles against NMMI.

Prediction: NMMI 11, Sandia Prep 4

#2 East Mountain Timberwolves (19-7) vs. #7 Santa Fe Indian Braves (14-10)
Thursday, May 15 – 1:00 p.m.

East Mountain features a potent lineup with top bats including Charles Birdwell (.512 AVG, 15 2B, 4 HR), Rylen Radosevich (.494 AVG, 5 HR), Aidan Madrid (.361 AVG), and Quinlan Gwyther (.390 AVG). On the mound, they are led by Cole Darnell (62 K) and Luke Stoerner (38 K).

Santa Fe Indian swept Hatch Valley in the opening round, highlighted by a 7-0 shutout. Nathaniel Aguilar (.407 AVG, 51 K in 33.2 IP) and Talyn Kewanletzema (.342 AVG, 34 K in 34 IP) do it on both sides of the ball. Kellen Tsosie (.338 AVG, 2 HR) adds pop to a team that has quietly won four of its last five.

Prediction: East Mountain 8, Santa Fe Indian 3

#3 Robertson Cardinals (15-6) vs. #6 Tularosa Wildcats (18-7)
Thursday, May 15 – 10:00 a.m.

This has the feel of the day’s most competitive matchup. Robertson brings a dangerous mix of offense and veteran leadership, featuring Brian Lucero (.509 AVG), Connor Bonney (.472 AVG), and Diego Jaramillo (.371 AVG). On the mound, Bonney leads with 32 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.

Tularosa advanced with wins over Ruidoso, 11-5 and 6-2. The Wildcats are paced by Hunter Sewell (.390 AVG, 29 RBI), Daniel Yuzos (.329 AVG, 57 K), and Ayden Esquero (40 R). Pitching depth also includes Danner Daugherty (57 K) and Adrius Vigil (48 K).

Prediction: Tularosa 5, Robertson 4

#4 St. Michael’s Horsemen (18-8) vs. #5 West Las Vegas Dons(18-7)
Thursday, May 15 – 4:00 p.m.

St. Michael’s won all three games against West Las Vegas during the regular season, with scores of 13-3, 6-4, and 6-1. The Horsemen are led offensively by Michael Giesler (.459 AVG, 38 RBI), Santiago Martinez (.370 AVG), Carson West (.360 AVG, 2 HR), Derick Saiz (.365 AVG), and Aidan Cedillo (.280 AVG). On the mound, Lucas Stoll (48 K) and Carson West (44 K) provide stability.

West Las Vegas swept Navajo Prep 11-0 and 10-0 in the first round. Top performers include Daniel Bustamante (.328 AVG), Jeremiah Ortega (.271 AVG), Ceasar Montoya (.292 AVG), and Estevan Collins (.317 AVG, 4 HR). Pitching includes Xavier Martinez and Collins, both key arms in the series.

Prediction: St. Michael’s 6, West Las Vegas 3

Grine’s Final Thoughts

No surprises in the 3A first round — every team advanced in two-game sweeps. But that leaves us wondering: which top-four seed might struggle after nearly two weeks without live action?

The biggest storyline is St. Michael’s vs. the bye — a familiar hurdle for the Horsemen. Can they keep their edge against a district rival in West Las Vegas, who’s already seen them three times?

NMMI looks like the favorite on paper and has handled Sandia Prep with ease this season — but the Sundevils’ bats are red-hot and could make this interesting if they strike early.

East Mountain and Robertson appear headed for a semifinal showdown, but don’t overlook Santa Fe Indian, who’s played close with multiple top teams this year. And keep an eye on Tularosa — their deep pitching could be the x-factor in this one.

Bottom line: expect close games, maybe a stunner, and plenty of drama. This bracket isn’t done shaking things up yet.