First games in Class 4A state playoffs start today
The high school state playoffs are underway, with one local team turning in a nice upset, while others failed to hold up their end of things in Class 3A, which started play Wednesday with single-elimination games. Class 4A gets things rolling today with the first games in best two of three series.
NO. 3 ST. MICHAEL’S (16-10) VS. NO. 14 COBRE (14-12), today 3:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.
The Horsemen found their stride during district play, surviving in what may be the deepest of the districts that sent four of five teams to the state tournament. Although it doesn’t boast a lot of power, St. Mike’s will drive opponents crazy by clogging the bases with a .392 on-base percentage and 70 steals. Sean Latham hit .305 with 18 runs and 25 RBI, while Josh Delgado was 17-of-19 on his steal attempts.
NO. 5 TAOS (16-8) VS. NO. 12 SANDIA PREP (12-13), today 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.
The Tigers rely on a deep pitching staff, led by Daniel Aguilar, who went 6-3 with a 1.99 earned-run average, while Santiago Cortez was 2-1 with a 2.02 ERA. As a staff, Taos put up a microscopic 2.58 ERA and only allowed 106 hits in 125 innings. At the plate, A.J. Fresquez was the big bat, hitting .322 and 16 RBI, followed closely by Quinn Moon, who hit .293 14 RBI.
NO. 9 WEST LAS VEGAS (129-1) AT NO. 8 NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE (15-10-1), today 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.
The Dons also boast a deep staff, which is a good thing because the Colts trot out a couple of the state’s leading sluggers in Gavin Maloney, who hit .457 with 20 extra base hits, including, four homers, and 28 RBI, and Jake Guerrero, who hit .449 with 15 extra base hits and 38 RBI. West Las Vegas will counter with Robbie Alarcon (4-2, 2.07 ERA), Santiago Mondragon (4-3, 2.20 ERA) and James Archuleta (3-3, 1.22).
NO. 11 ROBERTSON (15-11) AT NO. 6 BERNALILLO (14-11), 4 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.
The Cardinals will put up the runs, averaging more than seven per game behind Austin King (.473, 19 RBI), Richard Armijo (.434, 29 RBI) and Antonio Padilla (.443, 16 RBI). But outside of Padilla, Robertson’s pitchers tend to struggle.
NO. 15 SANTA FE INDIAN SCHOOL (14-10) AT NO. 2 PORTALES (19-7), today 5:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.
The Braves averaged nine runs a game and hit .372 as a team with Abraham Herrera (.419, 25 RBI), Kye Aguilar (.418, 17 RBI) and James Bridges (.423, 14 RBI) all doing significant damage. But outside of Chris Lucero (2-1, 1.91 ERA), SFIS has struggled on the hill with a 4.51 ERA.
NO. 12 MCCURDY 8, NO. 5 LAGUNA ACOMA 3
The Bobcats (9-8) got a complete game from starting pitcher Kemmer Croff, who struck out eight and allowed seven hits, while also going 2-for-4 at the plate. Isaac Fresquez went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
NO. 9 TULAROSA 17, NO. 8 PECOS 3
The Panthers (12-9) rallied from a 5-0 deficit to score three in the third, but then let the game get away as the Wildcats scored eight runs in the fifth inning.
NO. 2 SANTA ROSA 13, NO. 15 SANTA FE PREP 3
Although the Blue Griffins (5-12) rallied for three runs in the top of the second to pull within 4-3, the Lions put the game away with six runs in the fifth.