Artesia Lady ‘Dogs advance to quarterfinals with victory on Saturday
Artesia Lady ‘Dogs softball gallery
Artesia Lady ‘Dogs win 4-0 against the Deming Wildcats
The Artesia Lady’Dogs defeated Deming 4-0 on Saturday in the opening round of the District 4-4A playoffs. Here Artesia first baseman Kayden Apodaca hits a home run against Deming. JT Keith | Artesia Daily Press
Aggies softball start tournament play
New Mexico State Athletic Communications
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A new season is on the horizon for NM State Softball. The CUSA Championship begins on Wednesday, with the fifth-seeded Aggies taking on No. 4 LA Tech in the opening round of the four-day, double-elimination tournament. Kathy Rodolph‘s bunch is on the prowl for its first trip to an NCAA Regional since 2018 and the program’s first CUSA title.<n> <n>HOW TO FOLLOW<n>Who: NM State (27-25, 14-13 CUSA) versus LA Tech (30-23, 15-12 CUSA)<n>Where: WKU Softball Complex – Bowling Green, Ky.<n>When: Wednesday, May 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. MT)<n>Live Stream: ESPN+<n>Live Statistics: nmstatestats.com<n>All-Time Record vs. LA Tech: 21-16<n>Under Kathy Rodolph: 16-15<n>All-Time Neutral Record vs. LA Tech: 1-1<n>Last Meeting: NM State 4 @ LA Tech 10 <n>Current Streak: LA Tech, 1 win (since March 9, 2025)<n> <n>LAST TIME OUT<n>Kennesaw State hosted the Aggies in the final week of the regular season. NM State controlled the series opener, belting three home runs en route to a 6-2 victory. The Owls took the Saturday affair as the Crimson & White mustered only three hits before returning to form in a 13-inning thriller on Sunday. The Aggies prevailed 5-4 on a Desirae Spearman double while Faith Aragon pitched seven innings, including the final five scoreless, to pick up her 12th win of 2025.<n> <n>COACH'S TOUGHTS<n>Head Coach Kathy Rodolph, on the keys for success in the CUSA Championship: “We just need to continue to play clean defense, keep attacking in the circle, and find a way to pass the bat offensively. I think collectively, we’re playing a little more confidently. We’re playing together better and feeding off each other. I like what I see in the circle in terms of limiting run production. We’re playing clean defense, so when we do that, it allows our offense not to press.”<n> <n>ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT<n>The CUSA Championship will consist of 10 matchups in a double-elimination format. Each of the first three days will see three games apiece before a single championship game on Saturday, May 10. The title bout will feature a one-loss team and an undefeated squad, with the winner taking the league title. While each of the first nine contests will be streamed on ESPN+, the finale will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. All the action will also be available to follow via StatBroadcast.<n> <n>NO PLACE LIKE HOME…<n>This season, NM State has gone 4-4 in neutral contests. Excluding those eight games, the unit has amassed 23 wins. Of those, just five have come in road tilts. An 18-7 home record across the season is far from mirrored by a 5-14 cumulative mark in visiting dugouts, but NM State is nowhere near alone in the struggle.<n> <n>Conference USA's 10 softball teams picked up 132 league victories in the regular season. Of those, 87 came from the home team, while just 45 were from from the visitors. Liberty (10-1) and LA Tech (9-6) were the only two squads with a winning record in conference road games, while half of the league holds three or fewer wins in such bouts.<n> <n>WKU, the second-highest seed in the six-team field, is the host for the tournament. At home this season, the Hilltoppers finished 14-7 with a 7-3 mark in league action.<n> <n>WELCOME BACK, COACH<n>This spring, NM State has been playing with pink ribbons on the back of every helmet in support of Associate Head Coach Cat Heifner. The 21st-year Aggie hitting coach spent the first 11 weeks of the season away from the team while battling cancer. After arriving back in Las Cruces two weeks ago, Heifner made her return to the dugout for the first time against Middle Tennessee as her squad picked up a crucial sweep over Senior Weekend.<n> <n>In Heifner's return to the NM State Softball Complex, the Aggie bats awoke from their slumber, putting up an offensive onslaught that included five long balls. Last weekend, the associate head coach saw six more home runs launched at Kennesaw State as the squad clinched the fifth seed. With Heifner back in the dugout, NM State has posted a 5-1 record.<n> <n>ALL-CUSA AGGIES<n>On Tuesday, Conference USA revealed its 2025 Softball Postseason Awards. Three Aggies earned recognition from the league. Desirae Spearman led the way with her second consecutive First-Team designation while Kristiana Watson picked up a Second-Team slot. Tamara Carranza was one of 11 individuals named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team, becoming the second Aggie to do so after Spearman in 2024. <n> <n>SHE DOES IT ALL…<n>Last week, Spearman was named as the fifth-best two-way player in the country by Softball America. The true sophomore was not only last year's CUSA Freshman of the Year, but her remarkable campaign as a pitcher and outfielder won her Player of the Year honors in the league as well. <n> <n>This season, Spearman delivered just as well in the circle. Despite missing three games this season, she still ranked second on the team in innings pitched (108.0), behind only Faith Aragon (122.1) for the team lead. The El Paso native still paces the Aggies in both strikeouts thrown (112) and ERA (3.44). In 20 starts, the two-way star has amassed 11 victories, placing her in a tie for seventh among all CUSA pitchers in 2025. <n> <n>At the plate, the second-year Aggie staked a clear claim as the best hitter in CUSA, ranking among the nation's top 15 in six different offensive categories. She paced the conference walks drawn (4653 slugging percentage (.983), on-base percentage (.608) and OPS (1.591) while finishing second in home runs (19), runs (50) and batting average (.434) despite ranking 60th in at-bats (122).<n> <n>THAT'S ODD…<n>This season, NM State has been outscored by eight runs at a total of 258-266. However, in odd innings – the first, third, fifth, seventh and so on – the Aggies have put up 24 more runs than their opponents. In such frames, NM State holds a 162-138 edge, while being outpaced 96-128 in even-numbered innings. <n> <n>The team's worst inning from a run standpoint this season has been frame two, conceding a 23-37 tally. However, the next stanza tends to bode well for the Crimson & White, as the third inning has totaled 47-25 in their favor, making it easily the most productive for the Aggies this year.<n> <n>SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS<n>LA Tech is under the direction of Josh Taylor, who holds a 133-89 record in his four seasons with the program. The Bulldogs finished the regular season at 30-23 overall in 2025, holding a 15-12 record in CUSA play. Last weekend, they took one of three contests at Sam Houston as the Bearkats clinched a spot in this weekend's tournament with a Senior Day win. <n> <n>On the field, the Bulldogs are led by Reagan Marchant, who headlines the offense with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs. The pitching staff revolves Allie Floyd, who paced the conference with 177 strikeouts. The junior earned a First-Team All-CUSA selection earlier today after posting a 2.76 ERA and nearly tripling her next closest teammate with 195.1 innings pitched.<n> <n>THE 2025 MATCHUP<n>In the first series of CUSA play, NM State visited LA Tech. A pair of stellar pitching performances from Spearman and Faith Aragon landed the Aggies wins in each of the first two outings, earning 5-0 and 3-1 victories. On Sunday, the home team pulled out a victory to avoid the sweep, capitalizing on five Aggie errors to win 10-4. <n> <n>SERIES HISTORY<n>The Aggies and Bulldogs have met 37 times in program history, with NM State holding a 21-16 edge. The two sides shared the WAC from 2006-13 before LA Tech hopped to Conference USA. Eleven years later, the Crimson & White were reunited when joining their new league ahead of 2024. In neutral games, each side holds one win, but both games came before the turn of the century.
The Artesia Lady ‘Dogs seek to advance in the state tournament
By J.T. Keith
The 2025 Nusenda Credit Union State Softball Championships begin on Friday, May 9. It is an opportunity for Artesia softball coach Sandra Pulido to win her fourth state title.
Pulido’s last title came in 2021 with a 4-0 victory over Piedra Vista in the championship game.
For the No. 2 seed Lady ‘Dogs to advance to the quarterfinals, they must take care of business against Deming’s 15th-seeded Wildcats in the opening round of the state playoffs. Game time is 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mack Chase Sports Complex.
Artesia has played Deming twice at home this season, defeating them 17-2 on March 14 and 15-0 on March 21.
Do not overlook Deming
Artesia mercy-ruled Deming in both games, so Pulido knows the Lady ‘Dogs must guard against overlooking the Wildcats after winning two of their last three clashes.
“We have to stay focused,” Pulido said. “We cannot let up because we are playing a lower seed. We must continue to do what we do best – celebrate the small victories and play for each other.”
Pulido said the 2025 season has been a rebuilding year but the team came together and won the District 4- 4A title from Lovington, the 2024 champions.
Artesia has a record of 19-7 overall, and 8-1 in district play. The district title is Pulido’s seventh in 10 years.
Artesia comes into the Deming matchup as winners of 11 of 12 games, the only defeat a 6-4 loss to Lovington on April 17.
Long ball in vogue
Artesia has a lineup that leans toward the long ball. Kayden Apodaca leads the team in power output with 14 home runs. Jenna Whitmire has eight and freshman Katrin Marquez is third on the team with five and leads the team in runs batted in with 27. As a team, the Lady ‘Dogs have 37 homers on the season.
Artesia will be at full strength with the return of sophomore infielder Brooklyn Fuentes, who had been sidelined with an injury. Fuentes adds defense and speed to the lineup. She is second on the team in stolen bases with four, just one behind team leader Leslie Molina.
Pulido said she is pleased with the team’s progress since the beginning of the season in March.
“At the end of the day, we are proud of how far we have come but it is not over yet,” she said. “We have to continue to compete.”
Artesia Bulldogs baseball team defeats Bernalillo 5-0 in series opener in District 4-4A
Artesia Bulldogs begin tournament test against Bernalillo
By JT Keith
The Artesia Bulldogs finished undefeated in district baseball competition, landed the No. 1 seed for the 4-4A state playoffs and now have their sights set on winning the 2025 Nusenda Credit Union State Championships next week in Albuquerque.
“Our goal has always been to win state … winning the district is a huge advantage in seeding,” said Artesia coach Jackson Bickel. Earning the top seed entitled Artesia to a first-round playoff game at home against an opponent that’s seeded 16th.
The Bulldogs (20-6 overall, 9-0 district) come into the state tournament on a nine-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs’ pursuit of the Blue Trophy begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mack Chase Sports Complex when they host No. 16 Bernalillo (11-14 overall, 3-5 District 6- 4A).
If they defeat the Spartans, the Bulldogs will advance to the state tournament quarterfinals May 15 in Albuquerque.
Artesia played nine games against District 5A teams such as Mayfield, Carlsbad and Hobbs this season, winning four of them, and Bickel believes that experience will help the Bulldogs in the postseason.
“Those games forced us to compete at a high level early and exposed things we needed to clean up before district play,” Bickel said. “It was exactly what we needed.”
Here are Bickel’s three keys to defeating the Bernalillo Spartans.
1. Play Clean, Disciplined Baseball: Bickel said this time of the season is about limiting mistakes, particularly on defense and on the basepaths. “Clean baseball wins in May,” he said.
2. Control the Tempo on the Mound: Artesia’s pitchers need to get ahead early, work efficiently and trust the defense behind them, the coach said: “If we command the zone and keep hitters off balance, we put ourselves in position to win every game.”
3. Stay Locked into the Moment: The Bulldogs’ biggest strength is their ability to battle through tough situations, Bickel said. Doing that, he said, means focusing on one pitch, one at-bat, one inning at a time: “Our team’s mentality all season has been ‘don’t flinch, next pitch.’ Stay in the moment, focus on what you can control and trust your work. That’s been our identity all year.”
Artesia High School SkillsUSA Chapter: A Year of Triumph and Growth
The Artesia High School SkillsUSA chapter has had a year full of achievements and growth, showcasing the dedication and skill of its students. The chapter kicked off the year with pride by ringing the victory bell at every home football game, symbolizing the richness in our community’s unity and spirit.
In January, officers from the chapter attended the CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) acknowledgement session during the state legislature, where every organization was recognized for their contributions to skills-based education.
The highlight of the year came in March, when 16 SkillsUSA competitors from Artesia traveled to the state conference. Students competed in a range of skills-focused competitions, including but not limited to welding, photography, plumbing, and carpentry. The competition proved successful for the Artesia chapter, with three standout performances. Seth Florez earned a bronze medal in HVACR, while Sergio Ortega secured a silver in Firefighting. The highlight of the event was Chance Boans, who brought home the gold in Automotive Service Technology, earning him the title of state champion.
Boans, alongside chapter advisor Luis Reyes, will represent Artesia High School at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta in June, where he will compete at the highest level.
This year’s success is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and talent of the Artesia High School SkillsUSA chapter, and they are excited to continue their journey to Nationals, eager to bring even more accolades home in the years to come.
Mill Levy essential for our community
Jarrod Moreau
Artesia Special Hospital District
As the Chair of the Special Hospital District Board for Artesia General Hospital, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact our hospital has on the lives of the people in this community. Whether it’s a routine check-up at Family Practice, life-saving emergency care in the ER, or specialized treatments such as the first MAKO robot in the area at the Bone and Joint Center, Artesia General Hospital is here for us—day in and day out. Now, we have a critical opportunity to ensure that this level of care continues for years to come, all without increasing taxes.
Let me be clear—voting YES on the mill levy will not raise your taxes. This vote is about continuing the support that we, as a community, have already committed to. It’s not an additional financial burden, but a continuation of what we’ve all agreed is necessary to keep our hospital running at its best.
Over the past year, Artesia General Hospital and the board have made significant investments to improve care and ensure our community has access to the best possible services. Together, we’ve invested more than $20 million into crucial improvements and expansions, all of which directly benefit our patients. In addition to providing world-class healthcare, the hospital is also a key part of our local economy, with more than $30 million in just payroll.
Supporting this mill levy means supporting jobs and keeping our community strong—both in terms of healthcare and economic stability.
As a board, we’ve worked hard to make sure every dollar spent goes toward making meaningful improvements that benefit every person who walks through our doors. One of our improvements is the addition of an advanced MRI machine providing the latest in diagnostic imaging. We will be one of only two hospitals in the nation to have this capability.
Here are just a few of the upgrades we’ve already made: –
· A new CT scanner that allows for faster, more accurate diagnostics.
· Important renovations to the West Wing and the Green Chile Café and community meeting spaces.
· Vital IT improvements to keep our healthcare systems secure and efficient.
· New Ultrasound and EKG machines to improve the quality and speed of diagnoses and Mindray patient monitors, providing advanced care monitoring for all patients.
One of the most exciting aspects of this mill levy is that it allows us to continue expanding the services available right here at home. We’ve added new Urology and Cardiology service lines, for example, which means more specialized care will be available locally, saving our neighbors and friends time and ensuring they receive the care they need without traveling out of town. We’re also currently working on adding even more such capabilities, including Women’s Services which will be coming online in the next month.
Artesia General Hospital is deeply committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the care they need, regardless of their financial situation. Through its financial assistance programs, the hospital provides support to individuals and families who cannot afford the full cost of medical services.
As the Board Chair, it’s my responsibility to ensure that Artesia General Hospital remains a place where people can receive high-quality, compassionate care. But this isn’t just about maintaining what we have—it’s about continuing to improve, grow, and meet the ever-changing needs of our community. By voting YES, you’re not just supporting the hospital—you’re supporting the future of healthcare in Artesia. You’re making sure that our children, our seniors, and every family in between will continue to have access to state-of-the-art care right here, close to home.
All registered voters residing within the Artesia Special Hospital District are eligible to vote in the 2025 Mill Levy renewal election. If you’re not yet registered, you can do so easily online through the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website at sos.nm.gov/voter-information. Ballots for the election will be mailed out on May 6, 2025, and must be completed and returned by June 3, 2025, to be counted. Make sure your voter registration is up to date to ensure you receive your mail-in ballot on time.
Artesia General Hospital belongs to all of us. It’s not just a building—it’s a lifeline for the people of this community. When emergencies strike, when we need specialized care, when we just need to know that someone is there to help—we rely on Artesia General. That’s why I’m asking you to vote YES on the mill levy. Let’s continue the work we’ve started. Let’s ensure our hospital has the resources it needs to keep serving Artesia with the highest level of care for decades to come.
Jarrod Moreau is chair of the Artesia Special Hospital District
Drier weather awaits anglers at New Mexico lakes and streams
Information and photos provided by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Some fishing spots around New Mexico received rain this week but the weather forecast for Mother’s Day weekend promises drier and warmer weather for lakes, rivers and streams, according to the National Weather Service.
At Conchas Lake in northern New Mexico, fishing for largemouth bass was good using jerkbaits, rubber minnows and micro chatterbaits with small minnow trailers.
Along the Pecos River in northern New Mexico, the streamflow near Pecos Wednesday morning was 146 cubic feet per second (cfs). Fishing for trout was good using PowerBait and orange-and-green Trout Magnets.
In southern New Mexico near Truth or Consequences at Elephant Butte Lake, fishing for white bass and striped bass was very good using curly-tail grubs. Fishing for smallmouth bass was fair to good using crankbaits and spoons.
In Lincoln County, fishing for trout at Alto Lake was very good using olive-and-white Marabou Streamer flies.
At Bonito Lake, fishing for trout was fair to good using Corn PowerBait.
In southeast New Mexico, fishing for largemouth bass was slow to fair when using crankbaits at Carlsbad Municipal Lake.
At Eunice Lake, fishing for largemouth bass was good using hard jerkbaits, rubber minnows and micro chatterbaits with small minnow trailers.
This fishing report, provided by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
More fishing pictures on B8.