Magdalena’s Jaydon Jaramillo fires a strike during a doubleheader sweep by the Steers against the Jemez Warriors.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Magdalena picked up a pair of wins against Class 2A Penasco as a confidence booster before the Steers take on the Nusenda Credit Union State Baseball Championship as the No. 2 seed on May 12.

Magdalena swept District 1-1A baseball with a 6-0 record and improved to 13-3 on the year with the 17-1 and 28-0 victories over the Panthers on April 27.

The Steers are slated to play the winner of the Melrose (9-5) and Cimarron (6-9) game and appear to be the top challenger to face No. 1 Logan (18-0). Magdalena’s first step will be May 12 at 10 a.m. at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex.

Steers 17 Panthers 1

Shane Montoya allowed six hits and one run as Magdalena pounded out 15 hits for a 17-1 win over the Panthers of Penasco.

Montoya issued five strikeouts and gave up two walks. The freshman has only given up four free passes in 24.2 innings of work and has 38 strikeouts.

Magdalena went to work early at the plate after a scoreless first inning and came alive with four runs in the second and seven in the third. The game was run-ruled after five stanzas, and the Steers were on top 17-1.

Getting the job done in the hitting department were Josh Baca, Jaydo Jaramillo, and Javen Tafoya, with three hits each. Jaramillo’s four RBIs topped all hitters. Josiah Candelaria added two hits, while Kaleb Castanon (2 RBI), Montoya, Joseph Zamora, and Daniel Martinez added one hit each. The Steers also got a run scored by Ayden Hershbach.

Steers 28 Panthers 0

The Steers had enough runs to run-rule game two after just five innings as Magdalena’s hitters swamped the Panther’s pitching for a 28-0 win.

Candelaria handcuffed the Panther’s batting order as he scattered five hits and sat down six batters via strikeouts.

Montoya’s five RBIs led all hitters, and Javen Tafoya added four more as the Steers collected 24 hits as a team. Baca and Castanon had four raps each, and the Steers had an astounding seven doubles. Baca slapped the Steers’ lone home run.

The Nusenda Credit Union State Baseball Championships.

Tickets:

Adults: $10

Students (K-12) / Seniors (65+) / Military: $5

*Tickets Available Online ONLY via GoFan at http://gofan.co/app/school/NMAA

**NOTE – Above prices do not include transaction fees.

There will not be a charge to park at the complex.

Parking is limited at the complex but additional areas are available just east of the facility at Nusenda Community Stadium.

Concession stands will be available (credit card only). Outside food and drink are prohibited (other than sealed bottled water).

Kukulski Brothers, Inc. is the exclusive State Championship Merchandise provider of the NMAA. Souvenir items commemorating this exciting event can be purchased on-site or by visiting https://store.kukulskibrothers.com.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor