PREP BASEBALL
Top four seeds advance in Metro Baseball Championships quarterfinals
No. 1 seed, Cleveland, needs a walkoff victory to advance to Friday's semifinals
The top four seeds advanced in the Albuquerque Metro Baseball Championships on Wednesday, although the tournament’s top seed very nearly was sent to the consolation side of the bracket.
No. 1 Cleveland, No. 2 Rio Rancho, No. 3 Eldorado and No. 4 Sandia all posted quarterfinal wins on Wednesday.
On Friday in the semifinals at 3:30 p.m., Sandia visits Cleveland, and Eldorado travels to Rio Rancho.
The undefeated Storm have been rampaging through their schedule so far this year, but they faced their toughest challenge of the season Wednesday against District 1-5A rival Volcano Vista.
But with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, and the ninth-seeded Hawks leading 10-8, Cleveland sophomore switch-hitter Caleb Budagher smacked a shot down the right-field line for a bases-clearing, walkoff triple and a thrilling 11-10 Storm victory.
Budagher drove in four runs for Cleveland (11-0). Francisco Hernandez had three hits and a pair of RBIs. Noah Segura also drove in two runs.
Anthony Del Angel had one hit, and was walked four times by Volcano Vista.
Caleb Sandoval pitched the seventh for the Storm and earned the victory.
At Eldorado, the top individual showing of the day was authored by Eagles senior third baseman Nate Jaramillo.
Jaramillo had three hits, including a three-run home run, and drove in seven runs as Eldorado (7-1) defeated 11th-seeded Albuquerque Academy 13-6.
Sully Wilson, Abram Pine and Eric Yturbe all added two hits for the Eagles. Outfielder Kaeden Krenik provided the defensive highlight for Eldorado, catching a fly ball and throwing out a runner at the plate to escape a bases-loaded jam.
At Sandia, the Matadors (5-5) moved into the semis with a 5-1 triumph over the No. 12 seed, Albuquerque High.
Andy Jaramillo had three hits for the Matadors, including an RBI double in the first.
Xavier Newsom-Gonzales went the distance on the bump for Sandia, scattering five hits in his complete-game victory. Newsom-Gonzales also contributed three hits.
Rio Rancho defeated No. 7 seed Los Lunas 12-1. Liam Lynas pitched all five innings for the Rams (10-1), giving up just three hits.
Brayden Bustillos had two hits including a triple, scored three times and drove in a pair of runs. Alex Gallegos had three RBI.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.
