First Round Top Player Performances - May 8th-11th
2A BASEBALL - MAY 8TH
#5 McCurdy 9, #12 Mescalero Apache 5 - Final: The Mescalero Apache Chiefs made a strong push, scoring three runs in the third inning. However, McCurdy quickly responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third, maintaining a tight 4-3 score midway through the game. Yet, the Bobcats swiftly extinguished any hopes of an upset, exploding for 5 runs in the fourth inning en route to a decisive 9-5 victory and a ticket to the quarterfinals. Junior Celestino Salazar-Archuleta led the offensive charge with three hits, two RBIs, and an impressive three runs, including two triples. Senior Thomas Bolton contributed significantly with three hits, two RBIs, and two runs. Junior Carlos Garcia added to the onslaught with three RBIs, two hits, a double, a triple, and a run. Garcia also showcased his talent on the mound, pitching 5 innings and tallying seven strikeouts. For the Chiefs, sophomore Anthony Yuzos made notable contributions with two hits, an RBI, a triple, and two runs.
No. 6 Eunice 8, #11 Capitan 2 - Final: After two scoreless innings, the Cardinals ignited their offense with a run in the bottom of the first inning, followed by an impressive 4-run surge in the fourth inning, propelling them into the quarterfinals. Senior Kevin Garcia led the offensive charge with three hits and two RBIs, while fellow senior Braelon Jeter contributed two hits and two RBIs of his own. The Cardinals showcased their depth as six players crossed home plate, with senior Billy Blevins and sophomore Dyson Lord crossing it twice each in the victory. Blevins demonstrated his prowess on the mound, pitching a complete seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
No. 7 Rehoboth Christian 5, #10 Laguna-Acoma 2 - Final: The opening round saw a rematch between district opponents, with Laguna-Acoma aiming for an upset mindset. They took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning, but the Lynx rallied to secure a 5-2 victory with consistent hitting. Sophomore Jonathan Zylstra led the charge with 2 hits, an RBI, and a run, while sophomore Trajen West contributed a hit, RBI, and run. Junior Zach Van Drunen added a hit and 2 RBIs. On the mound, senior Raeden West pitched all 7 innings, tallying 6 strikeouts. Despite the effort, the Hawks fell short, with junior Patrick Smith notching a hit and a run, and fellow junior Curtis Paytiamo recording a hit and a double.
No. 8 Texico 13, No. 9 Pecos 12 - Final: The opening round brought forth excitement, particularly in the 8-9 matchup, where the Texico Wolverines scored two crucial runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to secure a thrilling 13-12 victory over the Pecos Panthers. Pecos had initially taken a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning before Texico exploded for 8 runs. However, Pecos fought back with a 5-run inning in the top of the fourth. The game remained tight until Pecos took a 12-11 lead in the top of the 7th, but Texico rallied to close out the game in dramatic fashion. Junior Edgar Mendoza led the Wolverines' offensive charge with an impressive performance, tallying 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, a double, and a triple. Sophomore Hunter Bowman contributed with 3 hits, a run, and 3 RBIs, while sophomore Jesus Chavez added 2 hits, 2 runs, and an RBI. On the mound, senior Easton Cooper pitched 3.1 innings and recorded 3 strikeouts, supported by seniors Kyle Gonser and Daltyn Cain
1A BASEBALL - MAY 8TH
#3 Melrose 19, #6 Magdalena 0 - Final: Despite expectations for a close contest, the Melrose Buffaloes dominated from the start, securing an early lead with a 3-run bottom of the first inning and maintaining control throughout the game. They continued their offensive onslaught with 2 runs in the 2nd inning, 2 in the 3rd, before sealing the victory with an impressive 12-run 4th inning. Senior Dathan Yeary and junior Cy Draper showcased their power with home runs, with Yeary contributing 4 hits, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs, while Draper added 2 hits, 3 RBIs, a double, and 2 runs. Senior Mike Cardonita also made significant contributions with 2 hits, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs, including a double. Additionally, Cardonita delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching all 5 innings and recording 10 strikeouts to secure the win for Melrose.
#5 Grady 14, #4 Mesilla Valley 2 - Final: In a upset, the 5th seed Grady Bronchos delivered a commanding performance on the road, securing an early lead with a remarkable 6-run burst in the top of the first inning and maintaining control throughout the game. Freshman Andre Garcia led the offensive charge with three hits and an RBI, supported by fellow freshman Caden Croy who contributed 2 hits, an RBI, and 3 runs. Senior Zane Rush also made significant contributions with 2 hits, a double, and 2 runs. Rush showcased his prowess on the mound, pitching all five innings and tallying an impressive 13 strikeouts. Despite the loss, Mesilla Valley's Jeremiah Sullivan, a junior, delivered a commendable performance with 2 hits and 2 runs.
2A BASEBALL - MAY 8TH
#5 McCurdy 9, #12 Mescalero Apache 5 - Final: The Mescalero Apache Chiefs made a strong push, scoring three runs in the third inning. However, McCurdy quickly responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third, maintaining a tight 4-3 score midway through the game. Yet, the Bobcats swiftly extinguished any hopes of an upset, exploding for 5 runs in the fourth inning en route to a decisive 9-5 victory and a ticket to the quarterfinals. Junior Celestino Salazar-Archuleta led the offensive charge with three hits, two RBIs, and an impressive three runs, including two triples. Senior Thomas Bolton contributed significantly with three hits, two RBIs, and two runs. Junior Carlos Garcia added to the onslaught with three RBIs, two hits, a double, a triple, and a run. Garcia also showcased his talent on the mound, pitching 5 innings and tallying seven strikeouts. For the Chiefs, sophomore Anthony Yuzos made notable contributions with two hits, an RBI, a triple, and two runs.
No. 6 Eunice 8, #11 Capitan 2 - Final: After two scoreless innings, the Cardinals ignited their offense with a run in the bottom of the first inning, followed by an impressive 4-run surge in the fourth inning, propelling them into the quarterfinals. Senior Kevin Garcia led the offensive charge with three hits and two RBIs, while fellow senior Braelon Jeter contributed two hits and two RBIs of his own. The Cardinals showcased their depth as six players crossed home plate, with senior Billy Blevins and sophomore Dyson Lord crossing it twice each in the victory. Blevins demonstrated his prowess on the mound, pitching a complete seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
No. 7 Rehoboth Christian 5, #10 Laguna-Acoma 2 - Final: The opening round saw a rematch between district opponents, with Laguna-Acoma aiming for an upset mindset. They took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning, but the Lynx rallied to secure a 5-2 victory with consistent hitting. Sophomore Jonathan Zylstra led the charge with 2 hits, an RBI, and a run, while sophomore Trajen West contributed a hit, RBI, and run. Junior Zach Van Drunen added a hit and 2 RBIs. On the mound, senior Raeden West pitched all 7 innings, tallying 6 strikeouts. Despite the effort, the Hawks fell short, with junior Patrick Smith notching a hit and a run, and fellow junior Curtis Paytiamo recording a hit and a double.
No. 8 Texico 13, No. 9 Pecos 12 - Final: The opening round brought forth excitement, particularly in the 8-9 matchup, where the Texico Wolverines scored two crucial runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to secure a thrilling 13-12 victory over the Pecos Panthers. Pecos had initially taken a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning before Texico exploded for 8 runs. However, Pecos fought back with a 5-run inning in the top of the fourth. The game remained tight until Pecos took a 12-11 lead in the top of the 7th, but Texico rallied to close out the game in dramatic fashion. Junior Edgar Mendoza led the Wolverines' offensive charge with an impressive performance, tallying 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, a double, and a triple. Sophomore Hunter Bowman contributed with 3 hits, a run, and 3 RBIs, while sophomore Jesus Chavez added 2 hits, 2 runs, and an RBI. On the mound, senior Easton Cooper pitched 3.1 innings and recorded 3 strikeouts, supported by seniors Kyle Gonser and Daltyn Cain
1A BASEBALL - MAY 8TH
#3 Melrose 19, #6 Magdalena 0 - Final: Despite expectations for a close contest, the Melrose Buffaloes dominated from the start, securing an early lead with a 3-run bottom of the first inning and maintaining control throughout the game. They continued their offensive onslaught with 2 runs in the 2nd inning, 2 in the 3rd, before sealing the victory with an impressive 12-run 4th inning. Senior Dathan Yeary and junior Cy Draper showcased their power with home runs, with Yeary contributing 4 hits, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs, while Draper added 2 hits, 3 RBIs, a double, and 2 runs. Senior Mike Cardonita also made significant contributions with 2 hits, 4 runs, and 3 RBIs, including a double. Additionally, Cardonita delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching all 5 innings and recording 10 strikeouts to secure the win for Melrose.
#5 Grady 14, #4 Mesilla Valley 2 - Final: In a upset, the 5th seed Grady Bronchos delivered a commanding performance on the road, securing an early lead with a remarkable 6-run burst in the top of the first inning and maintaining control throughout the game. Freshman Andre Garcia led the offensive charge with three hits and an RBI, supported by fellow freshman Caden Croy who contributed 2 hits, an RBI, and 3 runs. Senior Zane Rush also made significant contributions with 2 hits, a double, and 2 runs. Rush showcased his prowess on the mound, pitching all five innings and tallying an impressive 13 strikeouts. Despite the loss, Mesilla Valley's Jeremiah Sullivan, a junior, delivered a commendable performance with 2 hits and 2 runs.
