Home sweet home, finally, for Tiger baseball

The baseball season is almost 30 days old, and Tuesday Los Lunas (8-6) defeated St. Pius 4-3 in the Tigers first home game. In addition, after playing in four tournaments, it was the first stand-alone game for LLHS.

“We’re 13 games in, 13 road games in, so we’re happy to be home,” said Paul Cieremans, LLHS coach. “We’re excited to get our fans here, get a familiar atmosphere.”

Monday, the Tigers completed a murders-row schedule of 5A teams in the Metro Championship. LLHS finished seventh in the 16-team field, defeating Rio Grande, falling to No. 4 La Cueva and Volcano Vista, and downing seventh-ranked Cleveland.

In other baseball action Tuesday, Belen (7-4) won for the fifth straight game, a 10-0 victory at Socorro.

BHS, No. 6 in 4A, plays Thursday against Portales in a Moriarty tournament and starts the District 5-4A season Tuesday at St. Pius.

Tuesday, Valencia (7-5) lost to Albuquerque High 14-4, ending the Jaguars’ three-game winning streak. Thursday, VHS opens the Aztec Invitational against Montezuma-Cortez.

Softball

Los Lunas (7-4) hosted Gallup Tuesday, a 16-2 victory. Thursday, the Tigers meet Bernalillo to start the Rio Rancho Tournament, with the District 5-5A opener next Tuesday against visiting Atrisco Heritage.

Starting Thursday, Belen (5-8) looks to defend its title in the Moriarty Invitational, opening against McCurdy. St. Pius visits Belen Tuesday in the first District 5-4A game of the season.

A busy week for Valencia (3-6) started Tuesday with a 20-5 loss to West Las Vegas. The Jaguars are in the Rio Rancho Invitational beginning Thursday against Cibola.

The first pitch in the District 5-4A campaign is Tuesday at home against Grants.