Los Lunas and Belen secured spots in the state baseball playoffs, competing in this weekend’s best-of-three opening round. Valencia, finishing the season at 10-15, did not make the cut.
Belen Eagles
Belen secured the No. 4 seed in the 4A State Baseball Championships after an impressive 18-8 season and will host No. 13 Chaparral (15-11) in a best-of-three series beginning Friday.
“We aimed not just to make the playoffs, but to host,” said first-year head coach Justin Miller, who is familiar with Chaparral from his coaching days in Silver City. “They’ve got solid pitching and can hit. They’re better than a typical 13-seed.”
The Eagles have momentum, winning nine of their last 12 games. “We’re finding our rhythm and playing great baseball at the right time,” Miller added.
The series starts Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at BHS. Game two is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, with a third game, if needed, at 1 p.m.
Valencia ended its season 10-15 and did not qualify for the playoffs.
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Los Lunas Tigers
No. 9 Los Lunas heads to No. 8 Volcano Vista this weekend for a highly anticipated 5A playoff series, reigniting a tense rivalry from last postseason. Los Lunas eliminated the Hawks last year in a series that ended in controversy, leading to a “first strike” disciplinary warning from the New Mexico Activities Association for Volcano Vista’s conduct.
This time, Tigers head coach Paul Cieremans is focused on baseball, not drama. “That’s all behind us,” he said. Los Lunas already topped Volcano Vista earlier this season without incident.
Cieremans sees a strong matchup and plans to lean on his pitching staff in the best-of-three series. “We’ll need timely hitting, runners on base, and solid fundamentals,” he added.
The series opens at 4 p.m. Friday, May 9, with game two at 10 a.m. Saturday and, if necessary, a third game at noon—all at Volcano Vista.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seed for the Eagles in the State Baseball Playoffs?
The Eagles secured the No. 4 seed in the 4A State Baseball Championships.
Who are the Eagles playing in the first round?
The Eagles will host No. 13 Chaparral in a best-of-three series.
When will the Eagles’ first playoff game take place?
The first game is scheduled for Friday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at Belen High School.
How did the Eagles perform this season?
The Eagles finished the season with an 18-8 record.
What is Valencia’s status in the playoffs?
Valencia did not make the state playoffs, ending their season with a 10-15 record.
Who is coaching the Eagles this year?
Justin Miller is the first-year head coach for the Eagles.
How has Belen performed heading into the playoffs?
Belen has won nine of their last 12 games, gaining momentum heading into the playoffs.
What are the strengths of the Eagles heading into the playoffs?
The Eagles are focused on strong pitching and have been finding their rhythm in recent games.
What are the Tigers’ playoff plans?
The Tigers are on the road for their first-round series, playing No. 8 Volcano Vista in a best-of-three series.
Conclusion
As the state baseball playoffs kick off, both Los Lunas and Belen are primed for exciting matchups. The Eagles, with their No. 4 seed, are confident heading into their first-round series against Chaparral, fueled by strong momentum and solid team play.
On the other hand, the Tigers are ready for a challenging road series against Volcano Vista, seeking to continue their success with reliable pitching and timely hitting. Both teams have demonstrated resilience and are poised to make a deep playoff run, keeping fans eagerly anticipating every game of this high-stakes postseason.