A Look at the No.1 East Mountain Timberwolves

SANDIA PARK — The East Mountain High School Timberwolves have clawed their way to the top of the New Mexico Class 3A baseball rankings, fueled by a high-octane offense and a pitching staff that has proved nearly impossible to rattle.

Through 11 games, the Timberwolves boast a 10-1 record, a run of dominance that includes a recent four-game winning streak and a massive 17-5 statement victory over Moriarty. Head coach Chris Moya has a roster teeming with senior leadership and breakout underclassmen, creating a balanced attack that has outscored opponents 122-41 so far this season.

Offensive Fireworks

Leading the charge is senior Charles Birdwell, who is putting up “video game” numbers at the plate. Birdwell currently leads the team with a staggering .588 batting average, logging 20 hits and a team-high 23 RBIs. His power has been equally impressive, accounting for three of the team’s eight home runs.

The Timberwolves’ lineup offers no breathing room for opposing pitchers:

• Tobias Gabaldon (Fr.): The freshman has made the most of his opportunities, currently sitting at a perfect 1.000 average in limited appearances.
• Aidan Madrid (Sr.) and Brandon Johnson (Fr.): Both are providing elite consistency, each hitting .455. Madrid has been a run-producer with 14 RBIs, while the younger Johnson has shown great discipline with 12 runs scored.
• Ty Rector (Sr.): A dual-threat star, Rector is hitting .441 with six doubles and has been a terror on the basepaths.

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Dominance on the Mound

While the bats are loud, the pitching has been clinical. The staff holds a collective 2.68 ERA, anchored by a rotation that rarely surrenders the long ball.

Christopher Moya (Sr.) has emerged as a primary ace, carrying a 3-0 record with a lean 1.50 ERA. Not far behind is Ty Rector, who has complemented his hitting with a stifling 1.17 ERA and two saves in three appearances.

In the late innings, Cole Darnell (Sr.) has been the ultimate equalizer. Darnell leads the team with three saves, navigating high-pressure situations to preserve the Timberwolves’ nearly unblemished record.

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Speed and Defense

East Mountain’s “small ball” game is just as lethal as their power. The team has successfully swiped 52 bases in just 11 games. Charles Birdwell leads that category as well with 12 steals, followed closely by Ty Rector and Brody Johnson (So.), who each have swiped seven.

Defensively, senior Luke Stoerner has been a vacuum in the field, maintaining a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage to lead a unit that provides a safety net for the pitching staff.

2026 Season Statistical Leaders

Player	AVG	Hits	RBI	SB	ERA	W-L
Birdwell (Sr.)	.588	20	23	12	—	—
Madrid (Sr.)	.455	15	14	2	2.33	2-0
Rector (Sr.)	.441	15	12	7	1.17	1-0
Moya (Sr.)	.240	6	5	4	1.50	3-0
Stoerner (Sr.)	.364	12	18	1	1.58	1-0

As the Timberwolves head into the heart of their schedule, the depth provided by players like Ryan Moorhead (Jr.), Quinlan Gwyther (Sr.), and Dalton Springall (Sr.) ensures that East Mountain remains the team to beat in the hunt for the Class 3A state title.

With the state championships set for May, the Timberwolves appear to be peaking at exactly the right time, combining veteran poise with a relentless aggressive style that has defined their No. 1 ranking.