TIMBERWOLVES SWEEP NMMI, CLINCH DISTRICT TITLE WITH DOUBLEHEADER DOMINANCE

SANDIA PARK — The East Mountain varsity baseball team put a definitive stamp on their district dominance Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and officially clinching the District 4/5 championship.

The Timberwolves (22-1 overall, 12-0 District) secured the title in the opening game of the day before punctuating the afternoon with an 8-3 victory in the nightcap. With a four-game lead and only three league games remaining, East Mountain has mathematically locked up the top spot in the conference.

In the second game of the set, the Timberwolves overcame a late-inning push by the Colts, fueled by a high-octane offense and a combined 10-strikeout performance from the pitching staff.

After two scoreless innings, East Mountain broke the ice in the third with two runs, followed by a three-run fourth to take a commanding 5-0 lead. NMMI managed to claw back with two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth, but the Timberwolves responded with a three-run burst in the bottom of the sixth to pull away for good.

Aidan Madrid led the charge at the plate, driving in four runs on a 2-for-4 afternoon. Christopher Moya provided the big fly of the game, a three-run home run, while Charlie Birdwell remained perfect on the day, going 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

On the mound, Luke Stoerner earned the win with five strong innings. Stoerner racked up eight strikeouts while allowing zero earned runs on just three hits. Quinlan Gwyther came on in relief to close the door, striking out two over the final two frames to secure the save and the sweep.

Despite two defensive miscues, the Timberwolves’ pitching and timely hitting proved too much for the Colts (9-14 overall, 6-7 District), who were held to just four hits in the contest.

East Mountain will look to keep their near-perfect season rolling as they head into the final week of district play with the championship trophy already destined for Sandia Park.

DARNELL DOMINATES AS TIMBERWOLVES SHUT OUT NMMI

Senior Cole Darnell delivered a masterclass on the mound Friday, leading the East Mountain varsity baseball team to a 5-0 conference victory over the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI).

Darnell was nearly untouchable, pitching a complete-game shutout. Over seven innings, he surrendered just three hits while racking up 11 strikeouts. His efficiency was on full display as he needed only 90 pitches to dismantle the Colts’ lineup, allowing just one walk and hitting two batters in a dominant performance.

The senior entered the game two strikeouts short of 200 for his career and once he surpassed that milestone in the second inning was on cruise control. As he silenced the NMMI bats, the Timberwolves’ offense provided plenty of support, out-hitting the visitors 13-3.

East Mountain wasted no time taking the lead, scratching across a run in the bottom of the first inning. The score remained 1-0 until the fifth, when the Timberwolves broke the game open with a four-run surge to seal the win.

The offensive effort was balanced across the roster:

• Aidan Madrid finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI.
• Charlie Birdwell provided extra-base power, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
• Ty Rector and Cole Darnell each cleared the fences with solo home runs.
• Brody Johnson added a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Defensively, the Timberwolves remained sharp, committing only one error compared to four by the Colts. The win improves East Mountain’s standing in the conference as they continue their spring campaign.

NMMI (Roswell, N.M.) struggled to find a rhythm against Darnell’s pace, failing to advance runners effectively throughout the seven-inning contest.