Best & Worst Case Scenario: St. Pius X Sartans
J Grine | NMPreps Publisher

NMPreps first look at each schedule leading up to the 2023 season. We give our best predictions and potential overall records. Schedules are submitted here.

Saint Pius X High School
Aug. 18th at Bloomfield - Underdog
Aug. 25th vs Highland - Favorite/Coin Flip
Aug. 31st vs Valley - Underdog
Sept. 9th at Del Norte - Favorite
Sept. 15th at Portales - Underdog
Sept. 28th vs Academy - Underdog
Oct. 5th vs Moriarty - Coin Flip/Favorite
Oct. 13th at Valencia* - Coin Flip
Oct. 21st vs Silver City* - Coin Flip
Oct. 27th at Grants* - Favorite
* District Games

2022 Record: 2-9 overall (1-2 district)
2022 Playoff: 0-1 (First Round)

Best Case Scenario: 6-5 overall. The Sartans took a major dip last season finishing 2-9 after going 8-3 during the 2021 season. The schedule did not change from last season. The two wins in 2022 came against Del Norte and Grants -- two games they'll be favored in again this season. Winning our preseason projected coin flip games will get them to 6-wins and above .500 again.

Worst Case Scenario: 3-7 overall. Beating Del Norte and Grants along with a possible win over Highland, Moriarty, Valencia or Silver. Silver played for the title in 2022 but graduation could have them back into a build. Valencia will be much improved. Highland, well, we typically know more after the first week. Moriarty was 8-4 last season but Pius kept it close (13-0) last October. New head coach Curtis Flakes was a home run hire and should have the black and gold back into 4A title contention.

More: 2023 Best/Worst Case Scenario

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Best & Worst Case Scenario: Carlsbad Cavemen
J Grine | NMPreps Publisher

NMPreps first look at each schedule leading up to the 2023 season. We give our best predictions and potential overall records. Schedules are submitted here.

2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18th - vs Artesia - Coin Flip
Aug. 25th - vs Goddard - Coin Flip
Sept. 2nd - at Volcano Vista - Underdog
Sept. 8th - at Clovis - Favorite
Sept. 15th - vs Roswell - Underdog
Sept. 29th - at Alamogordo* - Favorite
Oct. 6th - vs Organ Mountain* - Favorite
Oct. 13th - vs Centennial* - Underdog
Oct. 19th - at Las Cruces* - Coin Flip
Oct. 27th - at Hobbs* - Underdog
*District Game

Last Season: 5-5 (regular season)
Playoffs: 0-1 (5-6 overall)

Best Case Scenario: 6-4 overall. Looking at our CF, UND, FAV, the Cavemen could improve to 6-wins this season. That would be the best case scenario for the team. The kicker from 2022 to 2023 would be a win at home against Artesia in the Eddy County Rivalry game. The Cavemen fell last season 30-27 on the road.

Worst Case Scenario: 3-7 overall. Three head coaches in three years for the Cavemen. When that happens the affects to the record could take place. Add in the departure of all-state level players Dane Naylor (QB), Eli Asay (RB), and University of Arizona commit Tylen Gonzalez (DL) who have all graduated. The Cavemen made a solid hire this off-season so despite the rebuild, the Cavemen will battle in coin flip games.

Who are they for this year? Who would make the list.

Who?

Who do you have?

*****STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOARD (MAY 12TH)*****

CHAMPIONSHIP - MAY 13TH​

5A BASEBALL
#1 Rio Rancho vs #6 Centennial, 12pm
4A BASEBALL
#2 St. Pius X vs #8 Albuquerque Academy, 9am
3A BASEBALL
#1 Sandia Prep vs #10 Ruidoso, 4pm
2A BASEBALL
#4 Rehoboth Christian vs #7 Tularosa, 1pm
1A BASEBALL
#1 Logan vs #3 Melrose, 10AM

Austin Barela - Cleveland - University of Texas Permian Basin
Padraig Callan - Manzano - Luna Community College
Jacob Charlson - Organ Mountain/Canyon del Oro (AZ) - Webster University
Kasey Crawford - La Cueva/Olathe West (Kansas) - University of Oklahoma
Regan Hall - Volcano Vista - University of Illinois
Jackson Kay - La Cueva - Colorado School of Mines
Lucas Lemons - Sandia Prep - Marian University - Wisconsin
Christian Melo - La Cueva - Wharton County Junior College
Jackson Meng - La Cueva - New Mexico Junior College
Malachi Pena - St. Pius - Tufts University
Diego Rodriguez - Los Alamos - Eastern Oklahoma State College
Danny Santiago - Sandia - Lamar Community College
Jason Sims - Eldorado - Marian University - Wisconsin
Vascon Smith - Rio Rancho - University of New Mexico
Tristin Thomas - Carlsbad - West Texas A&M University
Gene Trujillo - St. Pius - University of New Mexico
Aidan Zacarias - Volcano Vista - Luna Community College

SEMIFINALS - MAY 12TH​

5A BASEBALL
#1 Rio Rancho 6, #12 Piedra Vista 5 - FINAL
#6 Centennial 11, #7 Sandia 1 - FINAL
4A BASEBALL
#2 St. Pius X 12, #3 Valley 10 - FINAL
#8 Albuquerque Academy 6, #5 Artesia 1 - FINAL
3A BASEBALL
#1 Sandia Prep 5, #4 Cobre 3 - FINAL
#10 Ruidoso 12, #11 East Mountain 2 - FINAL
2A BASEBALL
#4 Rehoboth Christian 7, #1 Santa Rosa 0 - FINAL
#7 Tularosa, 11, #6 Loving 8 - FINAL
1A BASEBALL
#1 Logan 14, #4 Mesilla Valley 4 - FINAL
#3 Melrose 14, #2 Magdalena 5 - FINAL

Top Performance - State Tournament

Post here or text to 505-414-4313

Remember that discussion about using your ace? Valley has probably the best pitcher in 4A and didn’t use him against Goddard. It looked like it would burn them but they scored 5 in B7 to win. Now they look like geniuses.

Sandia’s Kmatz was the best pitcher of the day, shutting out La Cueva on an 83-pitch complete game.

5A BASEBALL

#1 Rio Rancho vs #12 Piedra Vista, 4pm --- Going with Rio Rancho (7-4)

#6 Centennial vs #7 Sandia, 4pm --- Going with Centennial (6-3)

4A BASEBALL

#2 St. Pius X vs #3 Valley, 1pm --- Going with Valley (9-6)

#5 Artesia vs #8 Albuquerque Academy, 1pm --- Going with Academy (10-9)

3A BASEBALL

#1 Sandia Prep vs #4 Cobre, 7pm ---- Going with Sandia Prep (11-4)

#10 Ruidoso vs #11 East Mountain, 7pm ---- Going with Ruidoso (9-5)

2A BASEBALL

#1 Santa Rosa vs #4 Rehoboth Christian, 4pm ---- Going with Santa Rosa (12-7)

#6 Loving vs #7 Tularosa, 1pm ---- Going with Loving (9-4)

1A BASEBALL

#1 Logan vs #4 Mesilla Valley, 10am --- Going with Logan (8-4)

#2 Magdalena vs #3 Melrose, 10am --- Going with Magdalena (11-5)

5A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Rio Rancho 14, #9 Rio Grande 0 - FINAL
#6 Centennial 7, #3 Carlsbad 6 - FINAL
#7 Sandia 7, #2 La Cueva 0 - FINAL
#12 Piedra Vista 4, #4 Volcano Vista 2 - FINAL

4A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#2 St. Pius X 5, #7 Santa Teresa 3 - FINAL
#3 Valley 10, #6 Goddard 9 - FINAL
#5 Artesia 14, #4 Belen 7 - FINAL
#8 Albuquerque Academy 7, #1 Grants 5 - FINAL

3A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Sandia Prep 7, #8 Hatch Valley 1 - FINAL
#4 Cobre 5, #5 Robertson 1 - FINAL
#10 Ruidoso 5, #2 NMMI 3 - FINAL
#11 East Mountain 10, #3 St. Michael's 9 - FINAL

2A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Santa Rosa 13, #8 Capitan 3- FINAL
#7 Tularosa 7, #2 Menaul/Oak Grove 2 - FINAL
#6 Loving 7, #3 Eunice 2 - FINAL
#4 Rehoboth Christian 14, #5 McCurdy 5 - FINAL

1A BRACKET - MAY 12TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Logan vs #4 vs Mesilla Valley, 10am
#2 Magdalena vs #3 Melrose, 10am

What games will you watch today?

What do you have?

Who wins a New Mexico high school state baseball championship?

QUARTERFINALS​

5A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Rio Rancho vs #9 Rio Grande, 1PM
Preview | Pick | Players to Watch

#2 La Cueva vs #7 Sandia, 4PM
Preview | Pick | Players to Watch

#3 Carlsbad vs #6 Centennial, 10AM
Preview | Pick | Players to Watch

#4 Volcano Vista vs #12 Piedra Vista, 7PM
Preview | Pick | Players to Watch

4A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS

#1 Grants vs #8 Albuquerque Academy, 1pm
Preview | Staff Picks | Predictions

#2 St. Pius X vs #7 Santa Teresa, 7pm
Preview | Staff Picks | Predictions

#3 Valley vs #6 Goddard, 4pm
Preview | Staff Picks | Predictions

#4 Belen vs #5 Artesia, 10am
Preview | Staff Picks | Predictions

3A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS
#1 Sandia Prep vs #8 Hatch Valley, 1pm
#2 NMMI vs #10 Ruidoso, 10am
#3 St. Michael's vs #11 East Mountain, 7pm
#4 Cobre vs #5 Robertson, 4pm

2A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS
#1 Santa Rosa vs #8 Capitan, 7pm
#2 Menaul/Oak Grove vs #7 Tularosa, 1pm
#3 Eunice vs #6 Loving, 10am
#4 Rehoboth Christian vs #5 McCurdy, 4pm

1A BRACKET - MAY 11TH - QUARTERFINALS
#1 Logan vs #4 Mesilla Valley, 10am
#2 Magdalena vs #3 Melrose, 10am

4A Quarterfinal Preview, Picks, & Predictions

NMPreps 4A 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 Grants Pirates (23-5) vs #8 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (16-10)

Preview: The Pirates and Chargers met on opening day, February 21st with the Pirates coming out ahead with a 5-4 win. The Pirates went on to a program best 23-wins and district championship (5-4A). The Albuquerque Academy Chargers season had highs and lows and eventually finished as district runner up (6-4A).

The Grants Pirates faced a Deming Wildcats squad (district 3-4A runner up) that earned a bid as the 16-seed in the final weeks. The Pirates left no doubt taking the series 2-0 (10-4, 8-5). Izeyah Manzanares (2024) a key pitcher for the Pirates could get the call in the opening game.

The Academy Chargers moved along with ease over their first round opponent -- district 2-4A champion -- Los Alamos Hilltoppers. The Chargers won the best of three series, 2-0 (8-5, 15-2). Riley Blecher (2023) left the opening round with a 5-RBI, 2-H, 2B day leading the Chargers from the plate. Pitcher Satish Raichur (2024) tossed 4-IP with 8-K's.

Pick: Grants
Prediction: Grants 9, Academy 8 - F

#2 St. Pius X Sartans (19-5) vs #7 Santa Teresa Desert Warriors (20-7)

Preview: This will be the first meeting of the season for Sartans and Desert Warriors. The St. Pius Sartans went 19-5 overall on the season winning district 5-4A. The Santa Teresa Desert Warriors won 20-games on the season and finished as district 3-4A champions.

The Sartans enter the quarterfinal after blowing out 15-seed Pojoaque Valley, 2-0 outscoring the Elks 33-0 (10-0, 23-0). The first game allowed for the Sartans to warm up their bats as Gene Trujillo (2023) led the way with a 3-RBI, 2-R, 2-H, 2HR stat line.

Despite having doubters the Desert Warriors swept the series with Hope Christian in the first round, 2-0 (4-3, 9-8). Likely to see the Desert Warriors ace Ovier Alvidrez (2023) in the opening round.

Pick: St. Pius X
Prediction: St. Pius X 11, Santa Teresa 6 - F

#3 Valley Vikings (20-8) vs #6 Goddard Rockets (18-10)

Preview: Perhaps the game that could earn the votes for game of the week is between the Vikings and Rockets. This will be the first game between the schools in 2023. The Valley Vikings won 20-game and district 6-4A champions. The Goddard Rockets finished runner up in district 4-4A.

Currently riding a 12-game winning the streak the Valley Vikings blew out Lovington in the opening round, 2-0 series (18-3, 8-1). Pitcher Alex Gilliam (2023) had an impressive day (game 2) tossing 12-Ks, 7-IP. The first game was the batting by Robert Nunez (2023) and Jayden Martinez (2025). Nunez finished with 6-RBI's and 2-HR's while Martinez went for a HR and 4-RBI's.

The Goddard Rockets swept the Miyamura Patriots, 2-0 (10-3, 3-2), during the opening round in Roswell. Michael Mathison (2024) displayed the hitting strength, finishing with 3-RBI's on the day. Mathison also pitched 4-innings, tossing 3-K's. Tyler Conrad (2024) had 5-K's in 6-IP during the first game against the Patriots.

Pick: Valley
Prediction: Valley 7, Goddard 4 - F

#4 Belen Eagles (20-7) vs #5 Artesia Bulldogs (17-11)

Preview: The teams did not meet this season and will do battle in the quarterfinal. The Belen Eagles reached 20-wins and entered the post season finishing third place from district 5-4A. The Artesia Bulldogs finished with 17-wins and the district 4-4A champion.

Belen scored 22-games, allowing on 2-runs during their 2-0 (11-1, 11-1) series win over Aztec of the first round. Malakhi Chavez (2023) and Christian Wilson (2024) continue to lead from the mound for the Eagles.

The Artesia Bulldogs moved along against the district 1-4A champions - Bloomfield Bobcats. The Bulldogs won the series 2-0 scoring 23-runs in the round (13-3, 10-6). Diego Samora (2023) and Ethan Ramirez (2024) each finished with 3-RBI's in game two; Nye Estrada (2024) had 3-K's in 5-IP. Estrada, used his bat in game 1, finishing with 3-RBI's, 3-H, and 1-2B.

Pick: Belen
Prediction: Belen 7, Artesia 6 - F/Extra Innings

===

4A Bracket/Times - May 11th

#1 Grants vs #8 Albuquerque Academy, 1pm
#2 St. Pius X vs #7 Santa Teresa, 7pm
#3 Valley vs #6 Goddard, 4pm
#4 Belen vs #5 Artesia, 10am

Looking Ahead

Top Half (#1-4-5-8 winners) - Friday at 1pm
Bottom Half (#2-3-6-7 winners) - Friday at 1pm

More
5A Quarterfinal Preview

4A Poll: Quarterfinal Upset Pick

Name some of the top football players for you school that will be competing this weekend and next weekend state for track & field?

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5A Baseball Poll: Pick an upset in the Quarterfinal

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