NMAA 2023 State Baseball Bracket Analysis

Article and Photos by Jonathan Noah Padilla

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Read this bracket breakdown from @bagthebandit for the 2023 #NMAA 5A Baseball Championships

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NMAA 5A Baseball Bracket Analysis

#1 Rio Rancho vs #16 Hobbs

Rio Rancho (22-2-2) has played good baseball all season long, only losing one game to a New Mexico team. They have the defense to stay in tight games and the offense to quickly turn close games into blowouts. The Rams pitching staff is stout, only surrendering double digit runs in a game once this season. Hobbs (10-16) has been spotty at best this season. Against NMAA tournament teams this season Hobbs is 4-12. They have the ability to steal a game but I don’t see them stealing a best of three series, especially from Rio Rancho.

Key players:

#8 Las Cruces vs #9 Rio Grande

This series is as close to a toss-up as you can get. Las Cruces (18-7) and Rio Grande (18-8) are two scrappy teams that can take a series. That being said, I give the edge to Las Cruces as they are in a much tougher district that includes three other tournament teams. Rio Grande on the other hand, is in the easiest baseball district in 5A. Five of their eight losses are to tournament teams. However, Rio Grande flashed their ability to compete with a late season win over Sandia, a team who swept Las Cruces in a double header in March. This series will be a dogfight and worth watching.

Key Players:

#5 Cleveland vs #12 Piedra Vista

Cleveland (18-7) plays in the toughest district for 5A baseball. Needless to say they are a well tested team who took #1 Rio Rancho into extra innings. The Storm should be able to take care of the Panthers in round one. Piedra Vista (15-11) is coming off a tough ending in district play where they lost 6 of their last 8. Don’t count them out though. The Panthers can play baseball and if they find a groove in game 1 they can pull an upset here.

Key players:

#4 Volcano Vista vs #13 Organ Mountain

Volcano Vista (19-6) hosts Organ Mountain (15-11) in the first round. The Hawks are a very sound team on both sides of the ball. They can hit, they can run, they can field, and they can pitch. Being so well rounded helped Volcano upset #1 Rio Rancho the last game of the season which definitely gives them a confidence boost coming into the state tournament. Could that win be the catalyst for a deep run? We will see. Organ Mountain has put together another decent season. They have the ability to keep games close and also come out of a challenging district. The Knights have a mountain in front of them in round one though as Volcano has a two headed monster in their pitching rotation consisting of Hall and Young.

Key players:

#3 Carlsbad vs #14 Cibola

Carlsbad (21-5) is one of those teams that can run through this bracket. I say that for one simple observation, they do not quit. EVER! In their worst lost of the season, the Cavemen gave up 9 runs to Rio Rancho in the first inning and they continued to ball out for 7 innings in what should have been a 10 run rule game. Carlsbad doesn’t go away in games and that makes them dangerous. Combine their resiliency with their baseball ability and you have a post season threat. You can be sure Carlsbad wants to defend their title and will fight like hell to get the job done. Cibola (11-13) is another scrappy team in this years tournament. When they find themselves in a game they rally together to keep their energy up. The Cougars can hang around with teams but drawing Carlsbad first round might prove to be more than this big cat can chew.

Key players:

#6 Centennial vs #11 Farmington

Centennial (22-4) is a dark horse in this tournament. While they are district champs, they are still under the radar as far as rankings go. The Hawks have the offensive production to compete with anyone. Having the best player in the whole state (Steven “Monster” Milam) doesn’t hurt their chances either. Farmington (13-12) has had a mediocre season. Being in a district with the likes of La Cueva and Sandia should help build experience for post season but I don’t see the Scorpions making it out of the first round. These two teams have already met this season with the Hawks coming out on top 10-0.

Key players:

#7 Sandia vs #10 Los Lunas

Sandia (17-9) is another team that can make a splash in the tournament. The Matadors were runners up last year, so they have post season experience. Five of their nine losses have been one run games, that goes to seven if you make it two run games. They hang around in games and if given an opportunity, they will make you pay. Sandia is no slouch and should not be taken lightly. Los Lunas (16-9) has the potential to shock teams. They took a game from Cleveland first game of the season if you need proof. That being said, minus Rio Grande in district, I don’t think Los Lunas has faced a true opponent since March 15 against Rio Rancho. They might be lacking in experience against tough teams.

Key players:

#2 La Cueva vs #15 Mayfield

La Cueva (21-4) will host Mayfield (13-13) in round one. The Bears are looking the way we have come to expect them to look. Poised and ready to make another run at a state title. They are riding an eleven game win streak coming into post season. They have the ability to quickly take over games with a lineup that can turnover again and again as well as shutdown pitching and defense. Mayfield comes into this one as a .500 club. They have a tough district but I don’t think they will have a Cinderella outcome here. These two faced off in a double header this season with the Bears double dipping the Trojans.

Key players:

Read this bracket breakdown from @bagthebandit for the 2023 #NMAA 5A Baseball Championships

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