Baseball: Sartans Advance to State Quarterfinals
State playoff action began on Friday as the St. Pius X varsity baseball team opened their 2025 NMAA State Tournament run as the No. 2 seed. Hosting 15-seed Kirtland Central in a best-of-three series, the Sartans delivered two strong performances to advance to the quarterfinals.
In Game 1, the Sartans edged out a 1-0 victory behind a complete game shutout from freshman Hunter Jiron, who allowed just three hits and struck out 10 batters over seven innings. Junior Zain Unis provided all the offense St. Pius X would need with a solo home run in the first inning. Sophomores Diego Trujillo and Joaquin Aragon, along with junior Kaiden Swanson, each added hits in the narrow win.
In Game 2 on Saturday, the Sartans pulled away for an 8-1 win to clinch the series. Senior Jacob Madrid led the offense, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while fellow senior Michael Deller went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Aragon, Trujillo, and juniors Kaiden Swanson and Dominic Ramsey each had key contributions at the plate. On the mound, senior Ashton Warren threw 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run, while Madrid closed the game with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief and four strikeouts.
With the series win, St. Pius X advances to the state quarterfinals on Thursday, May 15, where they will face District 5-4A rival and No. 7 seed Grants High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.
Softball: Sartans Stay Alive in State Tournament After Play-In Victory
The St. Pius X varsity softball team opened the 2025 NMAA State Tournament on the road in southwest New Mexico as the No. 9 seed, taking on No. 8 seed Kirtland Central in Friday’s play-in game. The Sartans delivered a dominant performance, winning 12-4 to officially advance to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.
Sophomore Jordan Chavez powered the offense, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored, three RBIs, and four doubles. Junior Sophia Trujillo went 3-for-4, including a home run, and drove in two runs. Junior Isabella Caba and sophomore Amari Jaramillo each added two hits, with Jaramillo contributing a double and two RBIs. In the circle, sophomore Lilee Zarate pitched a complete game, allowing eight hits and four runs—all unearned—while striking out four and issuing no walks.
The Sartans faced a tough test in the quarterfinals against top-seeded Silver, falling 11-1 on Saturday. Chavez once again led the offense, going 2-for-2 with an RBI double, while freshman Grace Grady added a single. St. Pius X managed just three hits in the loss as Silver scored all 11 runs in the third inning.
Despite the setback, the Sartans remain alive in the tournament and will move into the consolation bracket. They are scheduled to face No. 5 seed Goddard on Thursday, May 15, at 11:00 AM in Rio Rancho at Cleveland High School (Field #3).
Track & Field: Boys Win District Title, Girls Take Runner-Up
It was a banner weekend for St. Pius X Track & Field at the district championships. The boys team claimed the District 5-4A title, doubling the point total of runner-up Belen in a dominant team performance.
Senior Noah Devaney and sophomore Curtis Flakes III led the way, each winning two individual events and anchoring two winning relays. Devaney claimed gold in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, while Flakes took first in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Both earned Sartan High Point honors with 19 points apiece. In recognition of the team’s outstanding performance, Coach Jeff Turcotte was named District Boys Coach of the Year.
On the girls side, the Sartans put together a strong meet of their own, finishing as district runner-up.
Both teams will now prepare for the NMAA State Track & Field Championships, taking place Friday and Saturday at the University of New Mexico Track-Soccer Complex.
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