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The first pitch is just days away for high school baseball.
Belen and Los Lunas expect to make another strong run in the post season, while Valencia has optimism, thanks to increased participation numbers.
Los Lunas Tigers
With baseball, success always seems to come back to pitching, and with that thought, Los Lunas appears set to go far again after posting a 19-11 record, winning a district title and earning a berth in the 5A quarterfinals.
“We’re blessed with pitching this year,” said veteran LLHS coach Paul Cieremans, who will work with pitching coach Randy Castillo to come up with a rotation. “It’s just going to be who is going to be the starter? Who will be the middle inning guy and who’s going to close it for us,” said Cieremans.
The Tigers can call on at least seven hurlers, who have experience, including top winners JJ Utash, honorable mention All-State as a freshman; and Kaiden Reese and Matthew Castillo.
“Very high expectations,” is how Matthew Castillo, who also plays shortstop, sees this season. “Our whole team is a strength, balanced and strong.”
Los Lunas will need to replace speedy outfielder Fabian Castillo, who contributed 31 steals and earned second team All-State recognition.
“We have a good lineup,” Cieremans believes. “These guys are fast and strong and smart. We have some sticks in the lineup, for sure.”
5A has an impressive list of teams at the top, including Cleveland, Rio Rancho and defending champion La Cueva. To prepare, LLHS has scheduled a “murderers’ row” of top ten teams, including Cleveland, Carlsbad, Sandia, Organ Mountain and Belen, a top 4A squad.
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“We have a bunch of tournaments coming up. We just have to manage the pitching,” noted Cieremans.
As for Matthew Castillo, he can’t wait to find a seat on the bus.
“I like all those tournaments because traveling with all the guys is really fun,” he said.
There will be plenty of windshield time for the Tigers, starting Feb. 27 at the Cleveland Invitational, followed by tournaments in Hobbs, Las Cruces and the Albuquerque Metro Championship.
Those tournaments lead to district play, which includes Rio Grande, Albuquerque High, and newcomers West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage Academy.
Belen Eagles
For a brand-new coach, looking to fill eight holes left by graduation, Justin Miller is surprisingly upbeat about the upcoming Belen season.
“This senior class is definitely loaded,” said Miller, adding that he also has an excellent group of sophomores. “There’s the talent. They are hungry. They are motivated. I’m just stoked to finally see it.”
Gone from last season’s team that went 20-9 and reached the 4A quarterfinals are three players with All-State credentials, first-team pitcher Christian Wilson, first basemen Angel Garcia, second team, and Brysen Soiles, honorable mention at catcher.
Still, the BHS program has a rich history, often reloading year after year. That appears to be the case this season, with all-state honorable mention third baseman Isaiah Vargas a centerpiece.
“We’ve taken the mantra that there are no set positions,” said Miller. “Guys can play a little bit of everywhere.”
That versatility features Ethan Haldeman, Logan Gonzales, Damian Avila, Jesse Aragon, Josh Montoya and sophomore Ramon Martinez, “a name to remember,” according to Miller.
Having movable pieces is nice, but having a stopper at pitcher, like Christian Wilson last year, is almost mandatory for a team with high aspirations.
“We have some talent on the mound. You need a lot of it if you’re going to make a run,” Miller said.
Providing leadership on the field is a group of seniors, including Montoya, who believes, “Offensively, we’re pretty strong with the sticks.”
As for the coaching transition, Montoya says it has been, “Fantastic — we’re showing him how these boys play ball around here.”
Miller replaced Tom Wisneski, a well-known name in baseball circles, who retired.
“Tom has been nothing short of amazing throughout this entire process,” he said.
The community support is also something Miller appreciates.
“We’re very fortunate and very blessed here.”
The Eagles open the season Thursday, Feb. 27, against Bernalillo in the three-day Valencia Invitational.
Valencia Jaguars
The season begins Feb. 27, with something of a celebration for Valencia, which went 8-17 last year.
The Jaguars will host the Valencia Invitational, with students to cheer and food trucks to feed over the course of three days.
“I think it will be fun,” said Zaylon Zamora, a senior who caught every game for VHS last season. “It’s always fun having the school watch us and it gets the energy up a lot.”
The numbers are up for the Jaguars this year with about 35 players, enough for three teams.
“It’s the first time in five years we’ve had a C team,” said Carlos Ramirez, Valencia coach.
“Our freshmen and sophomore classes are our biggest classes this year. Hopefully, they can fill in some big shoes,” Ramirez said, noting only five juniors and seniors return.
Zamora is the Jaguars top-returning hitter, needing to pick up the slack after the graduation of top hitters Jacob Apodaca and All-State second team performer Eliseo Ramirez, the coach’s brother.
Brady Hoefler and Pryce Henry is also expected to add some pop to the lineup.
Among those who will be counted on to provide solid innings on the mound are Hoefler and Horacio Romero.
“We’ll have enough arms,” believes coach Ramirez, although, “They’ll be young, but I’m pretty confident they are going to be able to step in and compete for us.”
What is the expectation from Zamora, who sees the pitching from behind the plate?
“We have some younger pitchers, who are looking really good so far,” Zamora said.
VHS competes in what is likely the most talented district in the state, with St. Pius, Belen and Grants. After posting just one District 4-4A win last season, reasonable improvement is the goal.
“We’re looking to compete in the district,” Ramirez said. “We’re looking to at least split our games.”
