Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Logan’s playoff-bound baseball team ran the table of its district schedule with a doubleheader sweep Friday at Melrose.
The Longhorns (18-0) on Sunday gained the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A tournament and received a bye for Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Logan will play the winner of Mesilla Valley Christian (10-4) vs. Gateway Christian (11-7) in the semifinals May 12 at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex in west Albuquerque. The finals will be May 13 at the same site.
Logan is going for its third straight state championship. The Longhorns are the only undefeated high-school baseball team left in New Mexico.
During Friday’s twinbill, Logan conquered Melrose — a Class 1A semifinalist a year ago — by scores of 16-4 and 23-3.
In the opener, Logan held a 7-3 lead after five innings, then blew it open with a nine-run sixth to end the game early via the 10-run mercy rule.
Logan coach Kyle Griffiths said his team wasted several scoring opportunities.
“We had the bases loaded in five of the six innings but just couldn’t come up with the big hit to drive people in,” he said. “We finally got going late and were able to put up some runs.”
Logan ace Kaeden Stoner walked five and struck out 10 in a complete-game victory. He allowed just three hits.
Mason Wallin went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs for the Longhorns. Park Strong totaled two RBI for Logan. Aydin Kotara hit a double, drove in a run and scored three more.
In the nightcap, Logan took control with a 10-run third inning and added seven in the fourth.
Brock Burns threw a five-inning one-hitter for the Longhorns. He walked four and struck out nine.
Kotara went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. Wallin went 3-for-3, including a double, with three runs scored and two RBI. Diego Sanchez and Strong each drove in two runs.
The Longhorns rapped 13 hits, drew 13 walks and stole 15 bases.
“Really proud of how the guys have competed all year,” Griffiths said. “We have the toughest district in the state, so being able to come out on top is a major accomplishment.”
Melrose, ranked second in Class 1A by MaxPreps.com, fell to 9-5 overall and 5-4 in district play.
Logan 11, Grady 0
Stoner threw a one-hitter during an 11-0 blanking of district foe Grady last Monday.
Stoner struck out 10 and walked four during a five-inning victory.
Izaiah Kneitz and Wallin each hit home runs for the Longhorns, who stole 11 bases during the contest.
Grady fell to 7-9 overall and 1-6 in district play.