Perfection and Plenty: Darnell Throws Perfect Game as East Mountain Routs Dexter Twice

SANDIA PARK — Cole Darnell was locked in from the first pitch on Thursday, but it wasn’t until the final frame that the magnitude of his performance truly dawned on him.

“I started thinking about my last inning,” Darnell said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’m about to get a perfect game. I better not [mess up].’”

He didn’t.

Darnell retired all 15 batters he faced to secure a five-inning perfect game, leading East Mountain to a dominant 28-0 conference victory over Dexter. The senior right-hander was untouchable, racking up 11 strikeouts on just 57 pitches. Not a single Dexter batter reached base, and the Timberwolves’ defense was tested but stayed steady behind him.

“I was really trying to zone in my mechanics, zone in my mindset,” Darnell said of his approach on the mound. “Just trying to throw strikes, not trying to overdo it. You have to really be locked in every single pitch.”

While Darnell dominated on the mound, the East Mountain offense provided stellar levels of support. The Timberwolves exploded for 16 runs in the first inning alone, followed by seven in the second and five in the fourth. The team finished with 17 hits and a staggering .607 team batting average.

Darnell helped his own cause at the plate, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 with three doubles and five RBIs. He was one of several Timberwolves to have a career day:

• Charles Birdwell went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and three RBIs.
• Ty Rector and Brody Johnson each collected two hits and two RBIs.
• Dalton Springall and Matthew Gurule both maintained perfect 1.000 averages on the day, with Springall adding a triple.
• Luke Stoerner added two hits and three runs scored.

Other contributors to the massive box score included Ryan Moorhead, Aidan Madrid, Stace Davis, and Brandon Johnson, all of whom recorded hits or RBIs. The roster depth was on full display as Brody Fryer, Owen Darnell, Quinlan Gwyther, and Tobias Gabaldon also saw action in the lopsided win.

Despite the offensive fireworks, the story remained Darnell’s composure. Though the game ended after five innings due to the mercy rule, the perfection remained intact.

“I know they always got my back whenever a ball’s hit,” Darnell said of his teammates. “I know that they’re going to make the best effort for it. Most of the time, they get it out.”

For Darnell, who noted he hadn’t thrown a no-hitter since he was a “little kid,” the milestone marks a high point in his senior season.

Head coach Chris Moya praised the team’s discipline, noting that staying focused during a 28-run blowout is a challenge in itself.

GAME 2

Fresh off Darnell’s perfect game in the afternoon opener, the East Mountain varsity baseball team showed no signs of slowing down, completing a dominant District 4/5 doubleheader sweep of Dexter with a 30-0 victory on Thursday.

The Timberwolves (19-1, 9-0 District) utilized a relentless offensive attack and a masterful performance from senior left-hander Luke Stoerner to hand the Demons (4-12, 0-7) their second shutout of the day.

Stoerner was clinical on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings. The southpaw surrendered only four hits and one walk while racking up 11 strikeouts. He needed just 68 pitches to dismantle the Dexter lineup, consistently finding the zone and keeping the Demons off-balance.

While Stoerner silenced the Dexter bats, his teammates provided an overwhelming amount of run support. East Mountain erupted for 11 runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding seven in the second, five in the third, and seven more in the fourth before the game was called.

The Timberwolves’ box score was a sea of high averages, as the team combined for 23 hits and a .639 batting average. Notable offensive performances included:

• Aidan Madrid: The senior went 3-for-4, including a home run and a double, driving in a game-high six RBIs.
• Ty Rector: A perfect 3-for-4 day featured three doubles and four RBIs.
• Brody Johnson: Continued his hot streak, going 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs while scoring four times.
• Brandon Johnson: Made the most of his plate appearance with a hit and two RBIs.
• Stace Davis and Christopher Moya: Both seniors finished with perfect 1.000 averages on the day, combining for three hits and two RBIs.

The depth of the East Mountain roster was evident throughout the blowout. Charles Birdwell, Dalton Springall, Quinlan Gwyther, and Nathaniel Herrera-Lucero all recorded hits, while Brody Fryer, Sullivan Millea, and Matthew Gurule crossed the plate to contribute to the 30-run total. Even younger players like freshman Tobias Gabaldon got in on the action, recording an RBI.

With the sweep, East Mountain remains at the top of the District 4/5 standings. The Timberwolves have outscored their opponents by a 73-2 (three games) staggering margin this week, signaling they are the team to beat as the postseason approaches.

Dexter will look to reset after the difficult road trip, while East Mountain prepares to take its 19-1 record into next week’s conference schedule.