QF: 5A Baseball Predictions and Preview

NMPreps guide to the 2022 New Mexico high school baseball state tournament quarterfinals. #nmpreps

#1 Carlsbad Cavemen (24-4) vs #9 Farmington Scorpions (20-7)

Time: 1PM Date: 5/12 (Thursday)
Where: Santa Ana Field (UNM)
Prediction: Carlsbad 5, Farmington 2
Preview: The Cavemen enter this weeks quarterfinal behind two studs in Nolan Perry (2022) and Mack Mabrey (2023). Both are hitting over .400 and around 24 RBI's. The two are elite pitchers and bring a combined 13-2 record and 150-K's. The Farmington Scorpions enter the second week of the state tournament after upsetting 8-seed Rio Grande last week. The Scorpions could look to Zach Raichel again this week after he pitched a complete game to finish off the Ravens. Raichel is 7-0 on the season

#2 Sandia Matadors (20-7) vs #7 Rio Rancho Rams (24-4)

Time: 7PM Date: 5/12 (Thursday)
Where: Santa Ana Field (UNM)
Prediction: Sandia 5, Rio Rancho 4
Preview: This has the must-see feel to the post season with two of the top teams in the state squaring off earlier than predicted just a couple weeks ago. Sandia has made a remarkable run winning 13 of their final 15 games of the season. Rio Rancho sat at the top of the baseball rankings for several weeks before a runner up finish in district 1-5A. The Matadors have a wealth of hitters that have carried them late this season and look for Jordan Martinez (2022), Adriel Figueroa-Brito (2025), and Aiden Griego (2024) just to name a few.

#3 La Cueva Bears (22-4) vs #6 Cleveland Storm (18-10)

Time: 4PM Date: 5/12 (Thursday)
Where: Santa Ana Field (UNM)
Prediction: La Cueva 7, Cleveland 5
Preview: La Cueva has been a favorite throughout the 2022 season to win it all and they enter week two of the state tournament taking on district 1-5A champ, Cleveland. La Cueva beat 14-seed Piedra Vista last week in a two-game sweep and Cleveland had to comeback to beat 11-seed Centennial in three games. The Bears feature a top-hitter in Jackson Kay who looked impressive last week after a hitting a homerun and 2 RBI game. Cleveland looks to Braelyn Elzy (2022) and Jace Dominic (2022) as they head into the quarterfinal game.

#4 Organ Mountain (25-4) vs #5 Hobbs Eagles (22-6)

Time: 10AM Date: 5/12 (Thursday)
Where: Santa Ana Field (UNM)
Prediction: Organ Mountain 8, Hobbs 4
Preview: The game features some talent that will represent southern New Mexico well in the post season during their trip to Albuquerque. Organ Mountain features next level pitcher Maddux Edmonson (2023) who is 10-0 on the season with 87-K's. Hobbs will also bring some sound pitching behind Zac McPeters or Colton Graham both seniors. Graham with 85-K's on the year and 7-3 record looks to carry the Eagles.

5A BASEBALL - FRIDAY
(1) Carlsbad vs (16) Eldorado, 7PM
(2) Sandia vs (15) Mayfield, 3:30PM
(3) La Cueva vs (14) Piedra Vista, 4PM
(4) Organ Mountain (13) Los Lunas, 7PM
(5) Hobbs vs (12) Las Cruces, 4:30PM
(6) Cleveland vs (11) Centennial, 6PM
(7) Rio Rancho vs (10) Volcano Vista, 5PM
(8) Rio Grande vs (9) Farmington, 6:30PM

4A BASEBALL - FRIDAY
(1) Academy vs (16) Kirtland Central, 4:30PM
(2) St. Pius X vs (15) Ruidoso, 4PM
(3) Los Alamos vs (14) Valencia, 5PM
(4) Grants vs (13) Bloomfield, 5PM
(5) Aztec vs (12) Hope Christian, 7PM
(6) Santa Teresa vs (11) Miyamura, 6PM
(7) Artesia vs (10) Goddard, 5PM
(8) Valley vs (9) Belen, 4PM

Best Star Wars movie or character

Brackets will be posted here after they are announced. I will also add features and score updates here.

5A BASEBALL
#1 Carlsbad vs #16 Eldorado
#2 Sandia vs #15 Mayfield
#3 La Cueva vs #14 Piedra Vista
#4 Organ Mountain vs #13 Los Lunas
#5 Hobbs vs #12 Las Cruces
#6 Cleveland vs #11 Centennial
#7 Rio Rancho vs #10 Volcano Vista
#8 Rio Grande vs #9 Farmington

4A BASEBALL
#1 Albuquerque Academy vs #16 Kirtland Central
#2 St. Pius X vs #15 Ruidoso
#3 Los Alamos vs #14 Valencia
#4 Grants vs #13 Bloomfield
#5 Aztec vs #12 Hope Christian
#6 Santa Teresa vs #11 Miyamura
#7 Artesia vs #10 Goddard
#8 Valley vs #9 Belen

3A BASEBALL
#1 St. Michael's
#2 Sandia Prep
#3 NMMI
#4 Robertson
#5 East Mountain vs #12 Hatch Valley
#6 Cobre vs #11 Zuni
#7 Raton vs #10 Navajo Prep
#8 Santa Fe Indian vs #9 West Las Vegas

2A BASEBALL
#1 Eunice
#2 Rehoboth Christian
#3 Capitan
#4 Tularosa
#5 Santa Rosa vs #12 Penasco
#6 Estancia vs #11 Loving
#7 McCurdy vs #10 Texico
#8 Laguna-Acoma vs Menaul/Oak Grove

Which football players are participating and top track & field athletes?

4A BASEBALL

(1) Albuquerque Academy vs (16) Kirtland Central
Game 1: AA 12, KC 2
Game 2: AA 14, KC 1

(2) St. Pius X vs (15) Ruidoso
Game 1: SPX 13, Ruidoso 1
Game 2: SPX 12, Ruidoso 2

(3) Los Alamos vs (14) Valencia
Game 1: LA 7, Valencia 5
Game 2: Valencia 5, LA 3
Game 3: LA 11, Valencia 4

(4) Grants vs (13) Bloomfield
Game 1: Bloomfield 4, Grants 3
Game 2: Grants 12, Bloomfield 2
Game 3: Grants 11, Bloomfield 8

(5) Aztec vs (12) Hope Christian
Game 1: Aztec 6, Hope Christian 2
Game 2: Hope Christian 5, Aztec 4
Game 3: Aztec 8, Hope Christian 1

(6) Santa Teresa vs (11) Miyamura
Game 1: Santa Teresa 8, Miyamura 3
Game 2: Santa Teresa 7, Miyamura 5

(7) Artesia vs (10) Goddard
Game 1: Artesia 5, Goddard 3
Game 2: Goddard 3, Artesia 2
Game 3: Artesia 4, Goddard 1

(8) Valley vs (9) Belen
Game 1: Belen 6, Valley 4
Game 2: Valley 7, Belen 3
Game 3: Valley 5, Belen 2

5A BASEBALL

(1) Carlsbad vs (16) Eldorado
Game: 1: Carlsbad 9, Eldorado 4
Game 2: Eldorado 2, Carlsbad 1
Game 3: Carlsbad 10, Eldorado 3

(2) Sandia vs (15) Mayfield
Game 1: Sandia 6, Mayfield 4
Game 2: Sandia 9, Mayfield 1

(3) La Cueva vs (14) Piedra Vista
Game 1: La Cueva 11, Piedra Vista 2
Game 2: La Cueva 7, Piedra Vista 3

(4) Organ Mountain vs (13) Los Lunas
Game 1: Organ Mountain 6, Los Lunas 5
Game 2: Los Lunas 5, Organ Mountain 4
Game 3: Organ Mountain 9, Los Lunas 3

(5) Hobbs vs (12) Las Cruces
Game 1: La Cueva 8, Hobbs 4
Game 2: Hobbs 6, Las Cruces 5
Game 3: Las Cruces 7, Hobbs 6

(6) Cleveland vs (11) Centennial
Game 1: Cleveland 7, Centennial 5
Game 2: Cleveland 8, Centennial 4

(7) Rio Rancho vs (10) Volcano Vista
Game 1: Rio Rancho 8, Volcano Vista 4
Game 2: Rio Rancho 11, Volcano Vista 5

(8) Rio Grande vs (9) Farmington
Game 1: Rio Grande 6, Farmington 4
Game 2: Rio Grande 5, Farmington 4

More coming soon.

TOP THREE SERIES TO WATCH

(6) Cleveland vs (11) Centennial. 5A Bracket. The Cleveland Storm, for several weeks have been considered a top-three team in the classification. After a bit of a up and down season one in which they went 1-5 in a two week stand the Storm finished the season 16-9 overall and district 1-5A champions. Braelyn Elzy (2022) is batting .385 with 27 RBIs and 2 HRs this season for the Storm. Also, stud pitcher Jace Dominic (2022) has 6 wins in seven tries with 66-Ks on the season. The Centennial Hawks travel north after a 16-10 overall season and hold a 8-7 win over the Storm back in early March. The Hawks look to the hitting of Steven Milam (2023) who has a .500 BA with 41 RBIs and 4 HRs.

(5) Hobbs vs (12) Las Cruces. 5A Bracket. The battle of 20-win teams will take place in southeastern New Mexico for this first round showdown. The 5-seed Hobbs Eagles play host with a Friday afternoon start of 4:30 pm. The Hobbs Eagles went 20-6 on the season, finished runner up in District 4-5A, and look to move on behind strong pitching. Senior Colton Graham has a 6-3 record with 77-K's on the season. 2022 Zak Peters also with 6-wins and second in K's with 50 on the season. The Las Cruces Bulldawgs enter the post season with a similar 20-6 season and runner up finish, District 3-5A. 2022 Pitcher Steve Solorzano is 5-1 on the season with 80-K's. The star also has 4 home runs and 24 RBIs on the season with a .419 BA.

(8) Valley vs (9) Belen. 4A Bracket. The Valley Vikings and Belen Eagles square off in the opening round, Valley is the host site. Belen enters the game with a 13-9 overall record and have wins over St. Pius X (#2) and Volcano Vista (#10-5A). 6-1 RHP Kenny Trujillo (2023) has a 4-2 record for the Eagles. The Vikings enter the game behind a 15-11 overall record and a district runner up finish in 6-4A. Look for slugger Austin Daye (2022) who has 2 HRs, 21 RBIs, and a .461 batting average.

ALL 16 GAMES RANKED

1. (5) Hobbs vs (12) Las Cruces, 5A
2. (6) Cleveland vs (11) Centennial, 5A
3. (8) Valley vs (9) Belen, 4A
4. (7) Artesia vs (10) Goddard, 4A
5. (8) Rio Grande vs (9) Farmington, 5A
6. (4) Organ Mountain vs (13) Los Lunas, 5A
7. (1) Carlsbad vs (16) Eldorado, 5A
8. (7) Rio Rancho vs (10) Volcano Vista, 5A
9. (6) Santa Teresa vs (11) Miyamura, 4A
10. (4) Grants vs (13) Bloomfield, 4A
11. (3) La Cueva vs (14) Piedra Vista, 5A
12. (2) Sandia vs (15) Mayfield. 5A
13. (3) Los Alamos vs (14) Valencia, 4A
14. (5) Aztec vs (12) Hope Christian, 4A
15. (2) St. Pius X vs (15) Ruidoso, 4A
16. (1) Albuquerque Academy vs (16) Kirtland Central, 4A

GAMES THAT WILL GO ALL THREE

4-Grants vs 13-Bloomfield. Have the Pirates ever won a playoff round? After a solid season the Pirates are ready to make history. The Bloomfield Bobcats have been a wild card and could take one of three.

7-Artesia vs 10-Goddard. Another three games to decide the season for these District 4-4A teams. Artesia won two of three during the district slate just three days ago. Another three this weekend is likely.

1-Carlsbad vs 16-Eldorado. Are you willing to take an upset in the first round? Nope. However, I could see this one going all three with the Eagles coming off a 10-7 win over 3-seed La Cueva last weekend. Carlsbad continues to be slighted, do they flex?

Who do you have?

Login to view embedded media
The LB Commits to Willamette (Oregon)

What are some famous coaching trees in New Mexico?

Most Likely to Upset in the 1st Round

Today, we look at the games that have the highest chance of being an upset this weekend, the opening round of the New Mexico high school baseball post season.

We are not calling the upset, but this are games to consider as we look at an upset. FYI - an upset is a lower seed beating a higher seed.

5A BASEBALL

12-Las Cruces at 5-Hobbs

LCHS Record: 20-6 overall
LC Away Record: 9-3 overall
LCHS RF: 166
LCHS RA: 94
2022 Record vs Hobbs: 2-0
Previous Meeting(s): Las Cruces won 11-2 on April 1st. Las Cruces won 2-1 on April 1st. The Bulldawgs took the double-header one month ago in Hobbs.

Why: NMPreps New Mexico Mr. Baseball candidate Steve Solorzano (2023) is having a stellar season and will look to carry the Bulldawgs into the 2022 post season. Solorzano is batting .419 with 4 home runs, and 24 RBI's.

4A BASEBALL
Coming Soon

3A BASEBALL
Coming Soon

6A Football Preseason Rankings: Sandia Matadors

NMPreps New Mexico high school football preseason team rankings for the 2022 season. #nmpreps

NO. 9 SANDIA MATADORS

City: Albuquerque, NM
2021 Record: 5-5 overall, 4-1 district
2021 Playoffs: 1st Round (L, Cibola 41-15)
Head Coach: Chad Adcox
NMPreps 6A Preseason Rank: #9 (of 21)
NMPreps Top-40 Preseason Rank: Coming Soon

Preview: The Matadors opened the 2021 season with a 1-4 mark, yet rebounded with victories in four out of their last five games to finish 5-5 overall. Rising star running back Malachi Thymes (2023) powers the offense after recording 1,158 yards as a junior in '21. For the Matadors to climb in the rankings, improvement on the defensive side of the ball will need to improve after allowing 287 (28.7 ppg) per game in '21. Dalen Moyer (2023) will need to continue taking a step forward after throwing for 1,009 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, the the receiving corps has to be restocked after key departures of Speis, Johnson, and Miranda all three of which had 1,204 receiving yards of the team 1,654 from '21.

Early Prediction: 6-4 overall.

Schedule
August 18th - vs Atrisco Heritage
August 26th - at Piedra Vista
September 1st - vs Albuquerque
September 16th - vs Volcano Vista
September 23rd - at Manzano
September 29th - vs West Mesa (Homecoming)*
October 7th - at Eldorado*
October 14th - at Farmington*
October 21st - La Cueva*
October 29th - at Cibola
*District 2-6A Game

More
#10 Eldorado Eagles
#11 Hobbs Eagles
#12 Farmington Scorpions
#13 Clovis Wildcats
#14 Carlsbad Cavemen
#15 Organ Mountain Knights
#16 Santa Fe Demons
#17 Albuquerque Bulldogs
#18 Atrisco Heritage Jaguars
#19 Alamogordo Tigers
#20 Capital Jaguars
#21 West Mesa Mustangs

Hatch Valley Public Schools is looking to fill at least two assistant coaching positions for the sport of football. Candidates should be great at building relationships with kids and have a strong desire to improve daily. Teaching positions are available with 196-day contract. Stipends range from $1800-$3000. Possible coordinator or co-coordinator position available based on experience. Other sports may be available also. If interested, contact Head Coach Louis Howell at (575)520-2736 or lhowell@hatchschools.net.

5A BASEBALL

1-Seed Most Likely to Fall

What games?

5A BASEBALL - MAY 1ST

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF


DISTRICT STANDINGS - MAY 1ST

District 1-5A
x-Cleveland 16-9 overall, 7-1 district
Rio Rancho 22-4 overall, 6-2 district
Volcano Vista 14-10 overall, 4-4 district
Cibola 8-15 overall, 2-6 district
Atrisco Heritage 4-20 overall, 1-7 district

District 2-5A
Sandia 18-6 overall, 9-1 district
La Cueva 20-4 overall, 7-3 district
Farmington 18-7 overall, 6-4 district
Piedra Vista 14-12 overall, 5-5 district
Eldorado 11-13 overall, 3-7 district
West Mesa 9-14 overall, 0-10 district

District 3-5A
Organ Mountain 23-3 overall, 16-2 district
Centennial 16-10 overall, 14-4 district
Las Cruces 20-6 overall, 13-5 district
Mayfield 12-14 overall, 8-10 district
Alamogordo 10-16 overall, 7-11 district
Deming 6-20 overall, 3-15 district
Gadsden 5-21 overall, 2-16 district

District 4-5A
Carlsbad 22-4 overall, 8-1 district
Hobbs 20-6 overall, 7-2 district
Roswell 9-17 overall, 2-7 district
Clovis 6-17 overall, 1-8 district

District 5-5A
Rio Grande 19-5 overall, 9-1 district
Los Lunas 17-9 overall, 8-2 district
Albuquerque 10-14 overall, 7-3 district
Santa Fe 11-14 overall, 3-7 district
Manzano 8-17 overall, 2-8 district
Capital 9-17 overall, 1-9 district

MONDAY APRIL 25TH
Cleveland 4, Volcano Vista 2 - F
Rio Rancho 4, Cibola 0 - F

TUESDAY APRIL 26TH
Aztec 23, Kirtland Central 2 - F
Bloomfield 5, Miyamura 3 - F
Centennial 6, Gadsden 0 - F
Cibola 19, Atrisco Heritage 3 - F
Cleveland 5, Rio Rancho 4 - F
Gallup 2, Shiprock 1 - F
Grants 7, Valencia 3 - F
Hope Christian 6, Del Norte 5 - F
La Cueva 10, Los Lunas 5 - F
Las Cruces 8, Mayfield 3 - F
St. Pius X 23, Highland 0 - F
Valley 12, Bernalillo 3 - F

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27TH
Belen 22, Highland 0 - F
Eldorado 9, Volcano Vista 8 - F
Los Alamos 6, Taos 3 - F
Moriarty 5, Espanola Valley 3 - F

THURSDAY APRIL 28TH
Artesia 6, Goddard 3 - F
Aztec 11, Gallup 5 - F
Chaparral 4, Silver 2 - F
Hobbs 1, Carlsbad 0 - F
Kirtland Central 6, Bloomfield 5 - F
Portales 14, Lovington 2 - F
Rio Grande 10, Cibola 0 - F

FRIDAY APRIL 29TH
Albuquerque Academy 1, Valley 0 - F
Artesia 4, Goddard 1 - F
Carlsbad 10, Hobbs 1 - F
Carlsbad 7, Hobbs 4 - F
Centennial 8, Gadsden 5 - F
Centennial 10, Gadsden 5 - F
Cleveland 12, Atrisco Heritage 0 - F
Clovis 12, Roswell 4 - F
Goddard 2, Artesia 1 - F
Grants 12, Belen 2 - F
Hope Christian 7, Bernalillo 2 - F
Las Cruces 7, Mayfield 3 - F
Las Cruces 3, Mayfield 1 - F
Lovington 11, Portales 9 - F
Organ Mountain 10, Deming 4 - F
Organ Mountain 11, Deming 1 - F
Portales 4, Lovington 2 - F
Rio Rancho 8, Volcano Vista 2 - F
Roswell 13, Clovis 12 - F
St. Pius X 11, Valencia 9 - F

SATURDAY APRIL 30TH
Albuquerque 8, Los Lunas 7 - F
Capital 7, Manzano 3 - F
Eldorado 10, La Cueva 7 - F
Farmington 5, Piedra Vista 4 - F
La Cueva 12, Eldorado 2 - F
Los Lunas 11, Albuquerque 1 - F
Manzano 10, Capital 4 - F
Piedra Vista 2, Farmington 1 - F
Pojoaque Valley 15, Espanola Valley 14 - F
Rio Grande 16, Santa Fe 6 - F
Rio Grande 9, Santa Fe 4 - F
Sandia 21, West Mesa 0 - F
Sandia 13, West Mesa 1 - F
Santa Teresa 11, Ruidoso 1 - F
Santa Teresa 13, Ruidoso 1 - F
Taos 3, Moriarty 1 - F
Taos 12, Moriarty 4 - F

How do you predict some teams doing this Fall?

What are some things that you are excited about our state teams?

UPDATE: 4/27/22

#1 NORTH REGION

#4 EAST REGION

#2 WEST REGION

#3 SOUTH REGION

NOTES & MORE

--4/27/22
Bubble: Portales, Kirtland Central

Notes: Movement this week with Academy moving into the top spot. Pius moved down in the freeman rankings and also down here with a quick look at possible criteria points. Shuffled teams up or down a slot from last week.

---4/13/22
Bubble: Portales, Kirtland Central, Taos

Notes: Grants earned the HUGE win on Tuesday night with a dominant performance over Belen, 11-1 to take possession of second place in district 5-4A. The Grants win also created a movement for several teams moving up and for some into the top-8 section. Miyamura has also made a movement this week, from team on the outside as the "17th" team to the 11-seed this week; Kirtland Central's late fall has them on the outside of the playoff.

---4/7/22
Bubble: Miyamura

Notes: The District 4-5A race will affect the 3-8 section with three teams possibly earning a first-round home game (top-8 host the first round).

Work to Do: The 4-4A district will also shake things up as we finish the final month of regular season/district play. Goddard and Artesia could become a first round nightmare for any team that draws them, possibly on the road.

Just watched Matt Moore (Moriarty) pitch to Alex Bregman (Academy), a couple innings after Mitch Garver (La Cueva) hit an HR.

What is happening on the travel season?

Who did you play for? What is something that always reminds you of playing for them?