4A Baseball Quarterfinals: Previewing the New Mexico HS State Playoffs
The New Mexico high school baseball state playoffs move to the central venue, J. Riordan Fields in Albuquerque, NM, from Thursday, May 16th for the quarterfinals through Saturday, May 18th. #nmpreps
2024 NEW MEXICO HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFF HOMEPAGE
#1 Goddard Rockets (22-6 overall) vs #8 Bloomfield Bobcats (19-5 overall), 9:30am
Field 4 sets the stage for the game between the top-seeded Goddard Rockets (22-6 overall) and the eighth-seeded Bloomfield Bobcats (19-5 overall) in the early morning matchup at 9:30 am. This encounter marks the first meeting between these teams this season.
Hailing from the southeast, the Rockets advance to the quarterfinals after clinching the District 4-4A championship and dispatching the 16th-seeded Kirtland Central in the opening round. On the other hand, the Bobcats, representing the northwest, secured the District 1-4A title and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals following a victory over the ninth-seeded Valley in the first round.
Goddard boasts a roster brimming with senior talent, including Ryan Alsup, Cinco Holloway, Ross Stokes, Jonathon Silva, and Matthew Campos. Alsup stands out with an impressive offensive performance, tallying 48 hits, 29 RBIs, 3 home runs, and 27 runs. Moreover, Alsup's prowess extends to the mound, boasting a flawless 9-0 record and a team-high 84 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Holloway leads the team in home runs with 5 and RBIs with 33.
For Bloomfield, juniors Trae Woods and Gary Spencer, alongside senior Drew Perez, spearhead the offensive lineup. Perez, with 6 home runs to his credit, and Spencer, leading with 29 hits, provide crucial hitting power for the Bobcats. Additionally, Perez and Woods contribute significantly as pitchers.
NMPreps Prediction: With our NMPreps match predictor heavily favoring Goddard with a staggering 92.2% probability of victory, an upset appears highly unlikely. Therefore, we predict a dominant performance from Goddard, securing a resounding 14-1 victory over Bloomfield.
#2 Grants Pirates (22-6 overall) vs #10 Bernalillo Spartans (16-8 overall), 6:30pm
Field 4 hosts the nighttime showdown between the 2nd-seeded Grants Pirates and the 10th-seeded Bernalillo Spartans. This matchup carries the weight of a longstanding rivalry, spanning various sports specifically basketball dating back to the late 1980s, including a notable brawl in 2005. Football has shown some intense battles. Now, the focus shifts to the baseball diamond.
The Grants Pirates, champions of District 5-4A, enter the quarterfinals following a convincing victory over the 15th-seeded Portales in the opening round. Conversely, the Bernalillo Spartans, representing District 6-4A, caused a stir by upsetting their district rival, the 7th-seeded Hope Christian, in the first round.
Pitching depth is a strength for the Pirates, with Estevan Barela (2026), Izeyah Manzanares (2024), and Niko Young (2025) leading the charge on the mound. Boudy Melonas (2025) and Camren McDaugale (2024) provide offensive firepower for Grants.
The Spartans showcase the talent of the Hernandez-Carrillo brothers, Alejandro and Alexis, both sophomores making waves. Alejandro boasts impressive stats with a team-high 33 hits and 28 RBIs, while Alexis leads in home runs with 4. Junior Uriel Castro adds to Bernalillo's arsenal with 32 hits, 23 RBIs, and a notable 6-2 record on the mound, along with a team-best 80 strikeouts.
NMPreps Prediction: Despite the close matchup, with the Pirates holding a slight edge at 55.4% probability to win according to our matchup predictor, we anticipate a tight battle. Grants clinches a narrow 9-8 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
#3 Belen Eagles (20-8 overall) vs #6 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (17-10 overall), 3:30pm
Remaining on Field 4 for the 4A quarterfinals, we witness a pivotal matchup between the 3rd-seeded Belen Eagles and the 6th-seeded Albuquerque Academy Chargers.
Belen, the District 5-4A runner-up, advanced to this stage after defeating the 14th-seeded Aztec in the opening round. Meanwhile, the 6th-seeded Albuquerque Academy endured a delay before overcoming the 11th-seeded Los Alamos in the playoffs' first round.
Albuquerque Academy boasts a strong postseason history, having appeared in the last three state championship games, winning the title in 2021 but falling short in the final in 2022 and 2023 as the 8th seed. Can they mount another title challenge this year?
The two teams clashed previously on April 13th, with Belen securing a 7-2 victory powered by a dominant 6th inning performance.
Belen relies on the pitching prowess of senior Christian Wilson and sophomore Logan Gonzalez. Offensive contributions come from Frankie Rocha, Diego Avila, and Jesse Aragon.
For Academy, seniors Satish Raichur and Mark McNaney are key players to watch. Raichur leads the team in hits with 49, while McNaney tops the charts with 5 home runs. Additionally, junior Matthew Delaney boasts impressive stats with 31 hits and 27 RBIs. Delaney has also excelled on the mound, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record with a team-leading 95 strikeouts. Senior Luke Laskey adds further pitching depth to the Chargers' lineup.
NMPreps Prediction: With a close matchup predicted, Belen holds a slight advantage at 52.2% win probability according to our predictor. Expect a fiercely contested battle, with Belen clinching a narrow 7-6 victory in a game poised for an upset.
#4 St. Pius X Sartans (17-8 overall) vs #5 Artesia Bulldogs (15-13 overall), 12:30pm
Field 4, and 4A in general, promises to deliver an exciting quarterfinal showdown at the J. Riordan Fields in Albuquerque on Thursday. Representing District 5-4A as the third-place finisher, the St. Pius X Sartans, two-time defending state champions, aim to take on the Artesia Bulldogs, runners-up from District 4-4A. While St. Pius X swept 13-seed Chaparral in the first round, Artesia dominated 12-seed Santa Teresa in their opening series. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two schools this season.
The 4-seed Sartans boast a formidable offensive lineup led by seniors Ben Martinez and Ruben Jepsen, alongside junior Jax Mulville and sophomore Kaiden Swanson. Martinez leads the team in hits with 33, Jepsen in RBIs with 34, and Mulville in home runs with 4. Ashton Warren, a sophomore, and Jepsen lead the team's pitching efforts, with Jepsen tallying 52 strikeouts.
For the Bulldogs, seniors Nye Estrada and sophomores Jack Byers, Jett Fuentes, and Jett Whitmire showcase their offensive prowess. Estrada leads the team in hits with 33, showcasing the potential of this young Bulldogs roster. Byers leads the pitching staff with 49 strikeouts and a 4-1 record.
NMPreps Prediction: With a win probability of 58.6%, St. Pius X is favored to win this contest. The Sartans are projected to secure an 8-5 victory, although this matchup is considered another "upset radar game" by many.
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Thank you to the coaches that submitted stats and information all season. Provide us with your picks below!
The New Mexico high school baseball state playoffs move to the central venue, J. Riordan Fields in Albuquerque, NM, from Thursday, May 16th for the quarterfinals through Saturday, May 18th. #nmpreps
2024 NEW MEXICO HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFF HOMEPAGE
#1 Goddard Rockets (22-6 overall) vs #8 Bloomfield Bobcats (19-5 overall), 9:30am
Field 4 sets the stage for the game between the top-seeded Goddard Rockets (22-6 overall) and the eighth-seeded Bloomfield Bobcats (19-5 overall) in the early morning matchup at 9:30 am. This encounter marks the first meeting between these teams this season.
Hailing from the southeast, the Rockets advance to the quarterfinals after clinching the District 4-4A championship and dispatching the 16th-seeded Kirtland Central in the opening round. On the other hand, the Bobcats, representing the northwest, secured the District 1-4A title and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals following a victory over the ninth-seeded Valley in the first round.
Goddard boasts a roster brimming with senior talent, including Ryan Alsup, Cinco Holloway, Ross Stokes, Jonathon Silva, and Matthew Campos. Alsup stands out with an impressive offensive performance, tallying 48 hits, 29 RBIs, 3 home runs, and 27 runs. Moreover, Alsup's prowess extends to the mound, boasting a flawless 9-0 record and a team-high 84 strikeouts. Meanwhile, Holloway leads the team in home runs with 5 and RBIs with 33.
For Bloomfield, juniors Trae Woods and Gary Spencer, alongside senior Drew Perez, spearhead the offensive lineup. Perez, with 6 home runs to his credit, and Spencer, leading with 29 hits, provide crucial hitting power for the Bobcats. Additionally, Perez and Woods contribute significantly as pitchers.
NMPreps Prediction: With our NMPreps match predictor heavily favoring Goddard with a staggering 92.2% probability of victory, an upset appears highly unlikely. Therefore, we predict a dominant performance from Goddard, securing a resounding 14-1 victory over Bloomfield.
#2 Grants Pirates (22-6 overall) vs #10 Bernalillo Spartans (16-8 overall), 6:30pm
Field 4 hosts the nighttime showdown between the 2nd-seeded Grants Pirates and the 10th-seeded Bernalillo Spartans. This matchup carries the weight of a longstanding rivalry, spanning various sports specifically basketball dating back to the late 1980s, including a notable brawl in 2005. Football has shown some intense battles. Now, the focus shifts to the baseball diamond.
The Grants Pirates, champions of District 5-4A, enter the quarterfinals following a convincing victory over the 15th-seeded Portales in the opening round. Conversely, the Bernalillo Spartans, representing District 6-4A, caused a stir by upsetting their district rival, the 7th-seeded Hope Christian, in the first round.
Pitching depth is a strength for the Pirates, with Estevan Barela (2026), Izeyah Manzanares (2024), and Niko Young (2025) leading the charge on the mound. Boudy Melonas (2025) and Camren McDaugale (2024) provide offensive firepower for Grants.
The Spartans showcase the talent of the Hernandez-Carrillo brothers, Alejandro and Alexis, both sophomores making waves. Alejandro boasts impressive stats with a team-high 33 hits and 28 RBIs, while Alexis leads in home runs with 4. Junior Uriel Castro adds to Bernalillo's arsenal with 32 hits, 23 RBIs, and a notable 6-2 record on the mound, along with a team-best 80 strikeouts.
NMPreps Prediction: Despite the close matchup, with the Pirates holding a slight edge at 55.4% probability to win according to our matchup predictor, we anticipate a tight battle. Grants clinches a narrow 9-8 victory, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
#3 Belen Eagles (20-8 overall) vs #6 Albuquerque Academy Chargers (17-10 overall), 3:30pm
Remaining on Field 4 for the 4A quarterfinals, we witness a pivotal matchup between the 3rd-seeded Belen Eagles and the 6th-seeded Albuquerque Academy Chargers.
Belen, the District 5-4A runner-up, advanced to this stage after defeating the 14th-seeded Aztec in the opening round. Meanwhile, the 6th-seeded Albuquerque Academy endured a delay before overcoming the 11th-seeded Los Alamos in the playoffs' first round.
Albuquerque Academy boasts a strong postseason history, having appeared in the last three state championship games, winning the title in 2021 but falling short in the final in 2022 and 2023 as the 8th seed. Can they mount another title challenge this year?
The two teams clashed previously on April 13th, with Belen securing a 7-2 victory powered by a dominant 6th inning performance.
Belen relies on the pitching prowess of senior Christian Wilson and sophomore Logan Gonzalez. Offensive contributions come from Frankie Rocha, Diego Avila, and Jesse Aragon.
For Academy, seniors Satish Raichur and Mark McNaney are key players to watch. Raichur leads the team in hits with 49, while McNaney tops the charts with 5 home runs. Additionally, junior Matthew Delaney boasts impressive stats with 31 hits and 27 RBIs. Delaney has also excelled on the mound, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record with a team-leading 95 strikeouts. Senior Luke Laskey adds further pitching depth to the Chargers' lineup.
NMPreps Prediction: With a close matchup predicted, Belen holds a slight advantage at 52.2% win probability according to our predictor. Expect a fiercely contested battle, with Belen clinching a narrow 7-6 victory in a game poised for an upset.
#4 St. Pius X Sartans (17-8 overall) vs #5 Artesia Bulldogs (15-13 overall), 12:30pm
Field 4, and 4A in general, promises to deliver an exciting quarterfinal showdown at the J. Riordan Fields in Albuquerque on Thursday. Representing District 5-4A as the third-place finisher, the St. Pius X Sartans, two-time defending state champions, aim to take on the Artesia Bulldogs, runners-up from District 4-4A. While St. Pius X swept 13-seed Chaparral in the first round, Artesia dominated 12-seed Santa Teresa in their opening series. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two schools this season.
The 4-seed Sartans boast a formidable offensive lineup led by seniors Ben Martinez and Ruben Jepsen, alongside junior Jax Mulville and sophomore Kaiden Swanson. Martinez leads the team in hits with 33, Jepsen in RBIs with 34, and Mulville in home runs with 4. Ashton Warren, a sophomore, and Jepsen lead the team's pitching efforts, with Jepsen tallying 52 strikeouts.
For the Bulldogs, seniors Nye Estrada and sophomores Jack Byers, Jett Fuentes, and Jett Whitmire showcase their offensive prowess. Estrada leads the team in hits with 33, showcasing the potential of this young Bulldogs roster. Byers leads the pitching staff with 49 strikeouts and a 4-1 record.
NMPreps Prediction: With a win probability of 58.6%, St. Pius X is favored to win this contest. The Sartans are projected to secure an 8-5 victory, although this matchup is considered another "upset radar game" by many.
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Thank you to the coaches that submitted stats and information all season. Provide us with your picks below!
