The New Mexico State Baseball Championships will take place from May 8 to May 15. The Academy team won the 4A state championship last year with the help of Max Walla ’09, who was later drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Head coach Josue Ayala said that winning the State Championship was “one of the best feelings ever.” Elliot Hanson, a senior on the team, said there weren’t “any words to describe it.” Even with the loss of their seniors, they will try to defend their state title.

As of May 8, the Chargers had 19 wins and 7 losses, including their 10-7 first round win in the state tournament against Los Alamos. Ayala said that their season has gone “better than anyone expected.” They have won 14 of their last 16 games. Ayala said his team had finally “found their chemistry.” Ayala also said that they have done well, “finding ways to win games.” Hanson said, “We really came together.”

In the midst of the state tournament, the team is doing everything to prepare. Ayala said the team needs to work on “mental toughness” and “polishing the finer things.” The tournament can last up to three days, depending on how far teams get in the tournament. Considering the length of the tournament, Ayala said they plan on taking it “pitch by pitch, and inning by inning.” Hanson said they’re also planning on “playing the baseball [they] can play.”

The team will play their second round matchup against Moriarty at 11 am on Thursday, May 13.