JT Keith
There were nerves for the Artesia 12U All-Stars’ managers Wednesday at Brainard Park as the team posed for pictures before heading to Albuquerque for its first game in the state Little League tournament.
Layoff no problem
Manager Eric Sanchez said before the tournament that he hoped the long layoff would not hurt his team. The boys had not played a competitive game since beating Carlsbad 5-4 in extra innings to win the District 2 championship. On June 28.
Three games in, that worry is gone. Artesia has steamrolled the competition, mercy-ruling two of its first three opponents. The All-Stars opened with a 12-2 win over Raton, beat Yucca Little League 9-1, and drubbed Cooper 12-1 on Saturday in another mercy-rule victory.
“We have shown up, and we are doing it right now,” Sanchez said. “It felt like District 2 was hard compared to this right now. I feel like the boys are locked in right now.”
The boys are so locked in that they will play for the state championship at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on Field 1 against an opponent to be determined. Four teams remain in the loser’s bracket.
One win from regionals
With one more win, Sanchez said, Artesia will advance to the regional tournament Aug. 8-9 in Waco, Texas.
Sanchez said he expects to give the ball to the team’s workhorse pitcher, Zayden Coronado, who has thrown the most innings for Artesia. Coronado will have the full 65 pitches available Wednesday after three days of rest.
“We are going to put the ball in his hands, and he will take us to regionals,” Sanchez said.
Artesia is also playing long ball. Matthew Fox hit two home runs in Sunday’s victory and added another in a later game, giving him a team-best three home runs in the tournament.
“We have been doing our job,” Sanchez said about the team’s success. “Our pitchers have been doing their job, and the defense has been great. We could not do this without the assistant coaches: Travis Bilberry, Lawrence Gomez, and Sy Panzer. Their work has really helped us, and without their help, we would not be here.”
Sanchez said the team is taking care of business no matter who is in front of it. Artesia has prepared game plans for A, B, and C but has stuck with Plan A, powered by phenomenal defense.
Community backs All-Stars
“We have enough sponsors to pay for hotels, which has blessed us financially,” Sanchez said. “They have paid for food, and we are going to watch the Isotopes play in a bit. The kids are pretty excited, and we are trying to give them the best summer we can while playing baseball.”
Now, Artesia is one win from Waco — and one win from turning a nervous send-off at Brainard Park into a state championship celebration.
JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X@JTKEITH1.