Marshall Mecham
District Champions
Artesia 11U All-Stars win District 2 title, advance to state
The Artesia 11U Baseball All-Stars defeated the Carlsbad Shorthorn 3–1 in the District 2 Championship on June 27 at Bob Forrest Sports Complex in Carlsbad.
Artesia head coach Cody Tulk said he was proud of the way his team responded after playing six consecutive days.
“I’m just amazed by the way these guys came together as a team and took care of business because that Carlsbad team is good,” Tulk said. “These guys played six straight days, so I’m proud of them for pushing through it, not being lazy and giving it their all.”
Key contributors
The All-Stars were led by pitcher Jax Ybarra, who threw all six innings and struck out six in the championship win. Tulk said Ybarra’s performance was one of the biggest reasons Artesia came out on top.
“Jax threw an amazing game,” Tulk said. “To finish six innings on 75 pitches is amazing.”
Gage Bilberry added two hits, including an RBI triple, and Lane Tulk drove in a run as well.
Tulk said his son stepped up in a major way behind the plate throughout the tournament.
“Lane played catcher in all but three innings of the tournament in the heat,” Tulk said. “He really stepped up, as that’s not his normal position.”
State tournament ahead
With the district title secured, the All-Stars advance to the state tournament. They will face Las Vegas Little League at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17, at West Mesa Little League in Albuquerque in their opening game.
Marshall Mecham can be reached at (915) 232-1793 or on X @mecham_marshall
Mecham is serving with the New Mexico Local News Fellowship Program, which places emerging journalists in newsrooms across New Mexico. Learn more at www.newmexicolocalnewsfellowships.org.