La Cueva, Cibola gearing up for another deep run in state softball

La Cueva and Cibola, probably more than any two Class 5A softball programs in the metro area, have at least one eye toward the middle of May with aspirations to play in the final game of the season.

They both decided the best way to start that path was to begin in western Arizona.

The Bears and Cougars, widely regarded as the metro’s strongest two teams, on Thursday opened their 2026 season at an elite tournament in Bullhead City, Arizona, on the Arizona-Nevada border.

The season is underway, and as has been the case for many years, the power in New Mexico mostly seems to originate from outside the metro. Mayfield is a team expected to make a deep run. Organ Mountain and Alamogordo, too. Piedra Vista, as well. Just to name a few.

La Cueva was in the state final last May, losing 10-1 to Centennial.

The Bears have several seniors returning, including pitcher Lainey Alcaraz, one of the best in the circle in 5A.

“I think if our pitching is dialed in,” Bears coach Ron Romero said, “that’s gonna give us our chance.”

Senior catcher Brooklyn Eardley, senior first baseman Alex Fox and junior utility Elizabet Hoggan are among La Cueva’s top returning position players. Alcaraz, unfortunately, is injured as the season gets going, so Romero will turn to some younger arms to log innings for the time being.

“The hitting will be there,” Romero said.

Cibola lost only one senior, returns eight starters, and the Cougars are ready to mount a serious charge this season.

Senior ace pitcher Gabby Moncada is among the top arms in 5A and won 19 games last season. Her battery mate, sophomore catcher Presley Peek-Ruscetti, also returns, and Cibola will be further bolstered by junior middle infielder Ava Benavidez and junior outfielder/infielder Athena Joyce. Celia Marquez hit two home runs in Cibola’s opener Thursday.

“They’re a talented bunch,” coach LaRae Melvin said, who took over when this group of seniors (six of them) were freshmen. “This has kind of been a few years in the making.”

Cibola’s District 1-5A is customarily loaded, led by the Cougars and Piedra Vista. Rio Rancho, Volcano Vista and Cleveland make it competitive on the West Side.

The Hawks have a new coach in Melody Smith, a former standout at Artesia, She was teaching chemistry at Volcano when the job came open.

Senior Audrianna Jim is a veteran in the circle for the Hawks, a player Smith described as “a powerhouse.” She’ll be an infielder when she’s not pitching.

Other players to watch are junior shortstop Demi DePaula, junior centerfielder Kaylee Sanchez and freshman catcher/third baseman Genevieve Tapia.

The Hawks and Cleveland are each trying to return to the postseason after missing last season. Rio Rancho and Piedra Vista were shipped out of the playoffs in the first round.

The Rams also are in Bullhead City this weekend. LilyRose Larrabee of Rio Rancho is coming off a monster junior season in which she hit 16 home runs and batted nearly .500.

Cleveland staff ace Julia Montoya has signed to pitch at the next level and she should be part of the Storm’s improvement from last spring to this spring.

Sandia looks to be the biggest threat to La Cueva in 2-5A, with senior Lily Villanueva in her fourth season in the circle.

“She is very good,” Matadors coach Michelle Carter said, “and we do have a good group around her.”

That group includes senior shortstop Mia Duran and senior outfielder Natalie Uecker. All of Sandia’s starters return from last season.

District 5-5A last season was competitive at the top with Los Lunas, Atrisco Heritage and Albuquerque High, who all made the playoffs.

Los Lunas is the defending district champ, and the Tigers won 18 games with practically no seniors on their roster. With just about everyone returning, that puts Los Lunas in the favorite’s seat as the 2026 season opens.

Jacelyn Baca, who hit .519 last season with nine homers, and Keslie DeGraaf, who batted .500, are among the top returning starters for the Tigers, who were a top-eight seed last season.

Atrisco Heritage graduated its top two players, but the Jaguars do return a good number of starters that helped AHA to a 9 seed at state.

Albuquerque High coach Joe Chavez believes he has a team that can contend in 5A, led by four-year senior catcher Annika Stanley and veteran pitcher Raquel Waldrop. Junior shortstop Luna Diaz is off to a hot start with four home runs already.

In Class 4A, St. Pius and Belen had the deepest runs in the playoffs last May; the Sartans figure to be right back challenging again.

“I’m actually really excited for this year,” St. Pius coach Roni Marquez said.

Pitching depth is key for the Sartans, led by senior Zoe Mangrum, a transfer from Hope Christian who sat out last season. She has committed to Division I Howard.

St. Pius has two other righties, both juniors, in Lilee Zarate and Dominique Morett, plus a promising eighth-grader in Lexi Jaramillo, who will all spend time in the circle. Junior catcher Jordan Chavez will catch all of them. Marquez said Silver, Artesia, Lovington and Aztec, plus her Sartans, are all teams to watch in 4A this spring.

Belen, from District 5, is retooling, especially in the circle. Sophomore newcomer Paesen Lucero’s progress in the circle will be important in the Eagles’ success, coach Oscar Medrano said. Belen does have six returning letter winners.

Bernalillo won District 6-4A last year, the Spartans are led by senior first baseman Leandra Valencia, senior third baseman Kylee Herrera and junior pitcher/shortstop Calandria Montoya.

Although the Spartans graduated seven seniors, the lineup returns largely intact.

Albuquerque Academy qualified for state but its top two players were seniors and so the Chargers have to replace some production in the lineup. Bernalillo and Academy each lost in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Hope Christian has one of the youngest teams in 4A (no seniors), but rival coaches like the Huskies’ upside.

James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.