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.
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.
