End of a Dynasty: East Mountain Knocks Out Two-Time Defending Champ NMMI

ALBUQUERQUE — In a postseason defined by pressure, East Mountain proved it could keep its cool under fire at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Sports Complex. Staying composed is important when you’re looking to take out the two-time defending state champion.

Overcoming an early deficit and a late-inning surge, the Timberwolves (26-1) secured a 10-7 victory over New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) (13-16) in the state quarterfinals on Thursday. The win, fueled by a deep pitching staff and a hot-bat performance from Luke Stoerner, punches East Mountain’s ticket to the semifinals.

“Key to the day was just keeping our head down and staying calm,” East Mountain head coach Chris Moya said. “We haven’t had a lot of games where it’s been a close one… but we have enough arms that if it wasn’t one guy’s day, we roll to the next guy.”

That depth was tested early. After a scoreless first, both teams traded two-run frames in the second. However, NMMI struggled to contain the Timberwolves’ middle-inning adjustments. East Mountain chipped away with a run in the third before exploding for three runs in the fourth and four more in the sixth to build a commanding 10-2 lead.

Stoerner was the catalyst at the plate, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two doubles. Ryan Moorhead and Ty Rector also contributed multi-hit games, helping the Timberwolves out-hit the Colts 10-8 despite NMMI’s late-game heroics.

On the mound, Christopher Moya started the contest but gave way to the bullpen after two innings and 49 pitches. Quinlan Gwyther took over in relief, providing what coach Moya described as a “gutsy” performance. Gwyther stifled the Colts for 4.1 innings, striking out four and allowing only three earned runs.

“Quinn’s done that for us the last couple of years,” Moya said. “Come in there when we needed him in a tight situation, spin it and get go.”

The game took a dramatic turn in the top of the seventh. Refusing to go quietly, NMMI rallied for five runs, narrowing the gap to 10-7 and forcing the Timberwolves to bring in closer Cole Darnell, who slammed shut the door on any last-inning heroics by the Colts’ rally.

The quarterfinals also provided a shake-up elsewhere in the bracket, as Ruidoso upset Santa Fe Indian School 9-6 —a result that Moya admitted was a surprise but a welcome one for his squad’s path forward.

East Mountain now turns its focus to Friday’s semifinal matchup with their top rotation intact. The Timberwolves will face the winner of the Sandia Prep and West Las Vegas game on Friday. The contest is scheduled for a 4 pm start.

“Tomorrow, hit the ball, keep hitting the ball,” Moya said. “We still have the two best arms in 3A left to throw. Cole [Darnell] is going to go tomorrow. Luke Stoerner on Saturday, if we make it.”