ESPN certainly loves to hype sports, and its love - or should I say, its need - to expand its vast empire has reached the high school levels. What's also extended to the prep scene is the WWL's obsessive-compulsive disorder. The network tried to shove its square pegs into the round hole that is the Folsom-Grant rivalry in Northern California. Think the coaches enjoyed the experience?
Check it out right here.
Aug 27, 2010
Prep scores for Friday night
Here are scores for tonight's action, as provided by the Rival's New Mexico Preps site. Thanks to Kyle Henderson for all that he does. We wouldn't know a tenth of goings-on around the state without his passion and commitment. If you have a chance, visit his site. Even better if you sign up for it. It's a great way to keep in touch with the prep scene. Now that I am done shilling for a good man, one with the scores:
Artesia 63, Lovington 49
Aztec 42, Los Lunas 0
Blanding, Utah 19, Kirtland Central 7
Cibola 28, Highland 25
Cleveland 47, Bel Air 10
Clovis 40, Alamogordo 0
Eunice 50, Jal 6
Farmington 53, Gallup 13
Goddard 35, Rio Rancho 3
Hatch 35, Tucumcari 18
Hobbs 53, Gadsden 3
Las Cruces 23, EP El Dorado 20
La Cueva 42, Volcano Vista 0
Manzano 61, Rio Grade 13
Mayfield 51, Chapin 8
Moriarty 33, Bernalillo 8
Piedra Vista 28, Santa Fe 27
Raton 46, Clayton 20
Robertson 41, Portales 6
Santa Rosa 56, Estancia 22
Silver 32, Santa Teresa 22
Socorro 41, West Las Vegas 0
Tularosa 47, Hot Springs 19
Artesia 63, Lovington 49
Aztec 42, Los Lunas 0
Blanding, Utah 19, Kirtland Central 7
Cibola 28, Highland 25
Cleveland 47, Bel Air 10
Clovis 40, Alamogordo 0
Eunice 50, Jal 6
Farmington 53, Gallup 13
Goddard 35, Rio Rancho 3
Hatch 35, Tucumcari 18
Hobbs 53, Gadsden 3
Las Cruces 23, EP El Dorado 20
La Cueva 42, Volcano Vista 0
Manzano 61, Rio Grade 13
Mayfield 51, Chapin 8
Moriarty 33, Bernalillo 8
Piedra Vista 28, Santa Fe 27
Raton 46, Clayton 20
Robertson 41, Portales 6
Santa Rosa 56, Estancia 22
Silver 32, Santa Teresa 22
Socorro 41, West Las Vegas 0
Tularosa 47, Hot Springs 19
Aug 22, 2010
And the complaints keep coming ...
Albuquerque Public Schools is fixing its soccer complex, adjusting the field width and length on the supposedly "small" fields that many APS coaches whined (and whined ... and whined ... and whined) about the small dimensions of the field (it was 100-by-57 and within the minimum standards for a field).
The fields are being redone to the size of 110-by-68 (which will make the ABQ teams much happier, since play will be more spread out and favorable to faster, quicker teams) but those coaches are now upset because two of the fields will not be ready for the Metro Championships, which start in early September. The two western fields are not done yet, and so coaches ... Well, just read the Journal story and see what they have to say.
The fields are being redone to the size of 110-by-68 (which will make the ABQ teams much happier, since play will be more spread out and favorable to faster, quicker teams) but those coaches are now upset because two of the fields will not be ready for the Metro Championships, which start in early September. The two western fields are not done yet, and so coaches ... Well, just read the Journal story and see what they have to say.
Aug 10, 2010
Handicapping the city football teams.
OK, so maybe a little bit of Geoff Grammer, our dearly departed sports reporter (only to news, though. He lives, if you haven't been reading our paper), is rubbing off on me. But for some reason, I'm liking these two subjects:
Santa Fe High.
State playoffs.
Now that you've picked yourself off the ground and FINALLY stopped laughing, hear me out.
Yes, the Demons just completed an 0-10 season - but in Class AAAAA. The move to AAAA no doubt will help. In fact, I venture to say if Santa Fe High was in AAAAA, it would win three games and position itself as a contender in (likely) 2AAAAA.
But the powers that be at the New Mexico Activities Association saw fit to put the school in AAAA, and the football team will benefit.
How much so? I'm calling them the co-favorites with Bernalillo for the district title. I say this because head coach Ray Holladay is in his second year, and he has 70 kids out for the team. He has plenty of skill players returning, even with the departure of Bobby Chavez to Las Cruces Mayfield (allegedly).
Jason Fitzpatrick looks like an All-District quarterback. But one thing Holladay said after Monday's first practice is that he doesn't know if his junior can make the reads and the throws when it matters the most. Why? Well, last year, he was running for his life behind a pourous offensive line that was no match for the likes of Albuquerque La Cueva, Sandia and Valley.
It's hard to tell what kind of a quarterback you have when he's trying to simply survive.
But Fitzpatrick can move (as last year's test proved) and he's got a good arm - good enough to make almost any throw he needs to.
The other thing is that 2AAAA has no giants. No La Cuevas, no Sandias. Heck, maybe not even an Albuquerque High.
Add to that the departure of coaches at Los Alamos (Hello, Garrett Williams), Capital (welcome to New Mexico, Josh Wallace) and Española Valley (Does Joe Jiron really look good in red and gold as opposed to Capital's turquoise and black?), the Demons are in a ripe position to reverse two trends:
No playoff appearances since 1986.
A second winning record in the same span.
They have experience, they have depth (something sorely lacking from last year's team), and they have an offense that could be potent.
As far Capital, measuring this team will be better in October than in August or September. Wallace has a lot of work to do to get the program where he needs it, but he can and probably will if he's given time. The numbers for the first day of practice are not much lower than when Steve Castille was there. The question is will those players stay as they struggle through the first half of the season (and make no doubts, they will struggle because they are learning a new offensive and defensive game plan on the fly)?
If Wallace keeps his nose to the grindstone, he will. Another piece of advice (which I am sure he already knows): If the upperclassmen show any kind of resistance, go young. Holladay had to do it last year at Santa Fe High. Castille had to do it his first year at Capital.
It might mean those sophomores and freshmen will take their lumps, but what they will do is listen and work hard. Upperclassmen - and especially seniors - seem to shirk at the idea of slugging their way through a season, especially as the losses mount. However, this group is accustomed to success and might try to fight it out to the end. Besides, talent-wise, there is no real difference between Capital and Santa Fe High.
The measuring stick is in where the Jaguars are under Wallace in Year 1 as opposed to the Demons under Holladay in Year 2. Patience is the word.
St. Michael's will be ... Well, St. Michael's. Russell Disch is a potent 1,000-yard rusher with George Dominguez as a capable - and speedy - No. 2 guy. Michael Lamb, who is getting looks at some Division I schools, is a beast of a linebacker and faster than he looks. The key is in the hands of Michael Weigel and the receivers. Fernandez likes his receivers and he feels that Weigel can inject some oomph into a passing game that has been sorely lacking for the last two years. If they can make opponents pay for stacking up the line of scrimmage, the Horsemen will go far.
Like state championship game far.
They're that good.
Santa Fe High.
State playoffs.
Now that you've picked yourself off the ground and FINALLY stopped laughing, hear me out.
Yes, the Demons just completed an 0-10 season - but in Class AAAAA. The move to AAAA no doubt will help. In fact, I venture to say if Santa Fe High was in AAAAA, it would win three games and position itself as a contender in (likely) 2AAAAA.
But the powers that be at the New Mexico Activities Association saw fit to put the school in AAAA, and the football team will benefit.
How much so? I'm calling them the co-favorites with Bernalillo for the district title. I say this because head coach Ray Holladay is in his second year, and he has 70 kids out for the team. He has plenty of skill players returning, even with the departure of Bobby Chavez to Las Cruces Mayfield (allegedly).
Jason Fitzpatrick looks like an All-District quarterback. But one thing Holladay said after Monday's first practice is that he doesn't know if his junior can make the reads and the throws when it matters the most. Why? Well, last year, he was running for his life behind a pourous offensive line that was no match for the likes of Albuquerque La Cueva, Sandia and Valley.
It's hard to tell what kind of a quarterback you have when he's trying to simply survive.
But Fitzpatrick can move (as last year's test proved) and he's got a good arm - good enough to make almost any throw he needs to.
The other thing is that 2AAAA has no giants. No La Cuevas, no Sandias. Heck, maybe not even an Albuquerque High.
Add to that the departure of coaches at Los Alamos (Hello, Garrett Williams), Capital (welcome to New Mexico, Josh Wallace) and Española Valley (Does Joe Jiron really look good in red and gold as opposed to Capital's turquoise and black?), the Demons are in a ripe position to reverse two trends:
No playoff appearances since 1986.
A second winning record in the same span.
They have experience, they have depth (something sorely lacking from last year's team), and they have an offense that could be potent.
As far Capital, measuring this team will be better in October than in August or September. Wallace has a lot of work to do to get the program where he needs it, but he can and probably will if he's given time. The numbers for the first day of practice are not much lower than when Steve Castille was there. The question is will those players stay as they struggle through the first half of the season (and make no doubts, they will struggle because they are learning a new offensive and defensive game plan on the fly)?
If Wallace keeps his nose to the grindstone, he will. Another piece of advice (which I am sure he already knows): If the upperclassmen show any kind of resistance, go young. Holladay had to do it last year at Santa Fe High. Castille had to do it his first year at Capital.
It might mean those sophomores and freshmen will take their lumps, but what they will do is listen and work hard. Upperclassmen - and especially seniors - seem to shirk at the idea of slugging their way through a season, especially as the losses mount. However, this group is accustomed to success and might try to fight it out to the end. Besides, talent-wise, there is no real difference between Capital and Santa Fe High.
The measuring stick is in where the Jaguars are under Wallace in Year 1 as opposed to the Demons under Holladay in Year 2. Patience is the word.
St. Michael's will be ... Well, St. Michael's. Russell Disch is a potent 1,000-yard rusher with George Dominguez as a capable - and speedy - No. 2 guy. Michael Lamb, who is getting looks at some Division I schools, is a beast of a linebacker and faster than he looks. The key is in the hands of Michael Weigel and the receivers. Fernandez likes his receivers and he feels that Weigel can inject some oomph into a passing game that has been sorely lacking for the last two years. If they can make opponents pay for stacking up the line of scrimmage, the Horsemen will go far.
Like state championship game far.
They're that good.
Jun 24, 2010
Another of prep basketball greats calls it a career
When the discussion of the great prep boys basketball coaches comes up, the names are quite distinguished.
You immediately mention Hobb's Ralph Tasker, and Jim Hulsman from Albuquerque High. Then there's Marv Sanders, who made his name while coaching at Farmington, and Pete Shock, who is still going after 34 year years at Cliff and maintain the Shock legacy that has gone on since 1932.
And there's Albuquerque Academy's Mike Brown.
But here's the thing about great coaches: Their legends live forever, but they do not.
Brown, who has spent the last 26 years guiding the Chargers program, called it a career Wednesday, and what a career it was. He led Academy to six straight Class AAA titles and played in nine straight title games. While he never won another title after 1994, he still got the Chargers there from 1995-97, then in 2001 and 2008.
But above all that, Brown was one of the most gracious coaches I have ever come across. I've had opportunities to talk to him several times during the season, and he's always been amiable, funny and open with his time.
You hate to see guys like him leave, because he's a shining example as to why coaches are involved in high school athletics - to help mold and shape kids. I have yet to hear a bad word uttered by any one about Brown. His teams were always lauded by opposing coaches for their effort, talent and intelligence, and a lot of that is a reflection of Brown.
Those same qualities are exhibited by the coaching tree he leaves behind - his sons Danny and Greg Brown, Valley head coach Joe Coleman and Manzano head coach Travis Julian. Those schools have top-notch programs that are run the right way.
If anything, that might be the most important legacy Brown leaves on the state - how to win and lose with class.
That alone ranks him high among the coaching greats in this state
You immediately mention Hobb's Ralph Tasker, and Jim Hulsman from Albuquerque High. Then there's Marv Sanders, who made his name while coaching at Farmington, and Pete Shock, who is still going after 34 year years at Cliff and maintain the Shock legacy that has gone on since 1932.
And there's Albuquerque Academy's Mike Brown.
But here's the thing about great coaches: Their legends live forever, but they do not.
Brown, who has spent the last 26 years guiding the Chargers program, called it a career Wednesday, and what a career it was. He led Academy to six straight Class AAA titles and played in nine straight title games. While he never won another title after 1994, he still got the Chargers there from 1995-97, then in 2001 and 2008.
But above all that, Brown was one of the most gracious coaches I have ever come across. I've had opportunities to talk to him several times during the season, and he's always been amiable, funny and open with his time.
You hate to see guys like him leave, because he's a shining example as to why coaches are involved in high school athletics - to help mold and shape kids. I have yet to hear a bad word uttered by any one about Brown. His teams were always lauded by opposing coaches for their effort, talent and intelligence, and a lot of that is a reflection of Brown.
Those same qualities are exhibited by the coaching tree he leaves behind - his sons Danny and Greg Brown, Valley head coach Joe Coleman and Manzano head coach Travis Julian. Those schools have top-notch programs that are run the right way.
If anything, that might be the most important legacy Brown leaves on the state - how to win and lose with class.
That alone ranks him high among the coaching greats in this state
May 21, 2010
Answers to the questions that many people want to know ...
OK, so I lied. I don't have answers, but I can give odds as to who I think will become the head coaches at Capital (for football) and at Santa Fe High (Or in Lenny Roybal's case with the boys basketball position, will remain). The positions ought to be filled within the next seven-10 days, and then both coaches will have to hit the ground running because the summer is coming very quickly. And the summer is when programs are made. So, here's my handicap. Please, no bets of over $50, the house might not be able to cover it.
Capital football
1. Bill Moon (4-1 odds). You look at Moon's resume and it screams "proven." But you look at his record, especially since he left Capital in 1996, and it indicates a coach who can get a program to the creek. It just doesn't get that sip of water. Perhaps because it rider (Moon) was picked off before he could get that next step. He set the Rio Rancho program up for success, and it made a playoff appearance before falling apart after he left in 1999. Santa Fe High got to 5-5 in 2002, but politics and a 3-7 season in '03 paved his departure route. At Española Valley, Moon's teams went 2-8, but again administrative squabbles ended his tenure.
But that in itself is also a troubling trend, which is why the odds are higher.
2. Quevin Redding (7-1). Redding's youth and enthusiasm make him a strong candidate. His spread offense could attract more talent because of the wide-open brand of football, compared the Moon's tried-and-true I-formation philosophy. He brought Pojoaque its first winning varsity record last year as well as the school's second playoff appearance. He also has experience with programs at schools that has a higher ratio of students from lower-income backgrounds, having coached at Española Valley. The question then, will be can he get a strong enough staff around him.
3. (tie) Mike Dalton and Johnny Carson (15-1). Both are assistant coaches (Dalton with Albuquerque Valley, Carson at Ruidoso) looking to get a valued head coaching job. Dalton has experience at Capital, having coached under Steve Castille in 2004, so he does know the program. It will take a knockout interview for them to move ahead of the other two.
5. Joshua Wallace. If a coach ever gets a job from a phone interview, especially at Capital, he's got to be the second coming of John Calipari or he has no idea what he's getting into. And if he does, why apply?
Santa Fe High boys basketball
1. Porter Cutrell (2-1). He was a very successful coach at Denver prep school Mullen High, compiling a 234-107 record with two Class AAAAA state titles and four championship appearances. Cutrell also has coached athletes to the Division I level, so he has the pedigree. His resume is impressive enough to make him the leader out of the group of nine interviewees. However, coaching at a public school - and at Santa Fe High - is a different ball of wax. No doubt the Demons will be successful under Cutrell, but how long would he stay?
2. David Rodriguez (3-1). He was good enough for Hobbs (albeit that was 11 year ago), but not good enough for Santa Fe High (three years later). But Rodriguez, who coached the Demons from 1992-2002, still commands respect as a candidate. That he will face the likes of Capital, Espanola and Los Alamos instead of La Cueva, Sandia and Valley plays into his hands. The Rodriguez coaching family tree is steep (dad Bob coached the Demons and St. Michael's; brother Ernie is the SFIS head man) and Rodriguez has a reputation that is above reproach. If the committee wants to play it safe, he would be the perfect choice.
3. Rick Apodaca (6-1). I'll say this right off the bat: I'm an Apodaca fan. He was done wrong at Taos, but he had the program moving the right direction. Two seasons under St. Michael's head coach Ron Geyer's tutelage makes him that much better. He already knew Geyer's system, having been under another Geyer protege in Mark Gallegos at Portales, but he is a head coach in waiting. He's communicative, affable and very much a coach players will rally under. Any program - be it Santa Fe High or otherwise - would be better to have him handling it.
4. James Branch/Lenny Roybal (10-1). Sorry, Lenny, I like your chances as County Commissioner better. Roybal says he has the program ready to win a AAAA title right now, but he also said he felt the Demons would play for a state title in the next three years. That was in 2007. The 2009-10 season was a huge disappointment, and I attribute much of that to the falling out between Roybal and former top assistant Gordon Betancourt. Branch is hedging his bets that he won't keep his job at Taos (he is being investigated by the school district over his handling of players), but I've always felt his heart was set on Taos. And I believe he'll stay there.
5. Danny Trujillo/Tom Montoya/John Carpenter (50-1). Trujillo and Montoya are assistant coaches (Trujillo at Taos; Montoya at Santa Fe High) with different backgrounds. Trujillo is looking for his first head coaching opportunity; Montoya is still trying to get back into the game after resigning at St. Michael's in 2002. Both are good coaches, but given the caliber of candidates here, they, too, will have to knock the committee out to get to the top of this list. Nothing is known on Carpenter, so he remains a mystery.
Capital football
1. Bill Moon (4-1 odds). You look at Moon's resume and it screams "proven." But you look at his record, especially since he left Capital in 1996, and it indicates a coach who can get a program to the creek. It just doesn't get that sip of water. Perhaps because it rider (Moon) was picked off before he could get that next step. He set the Rio Rancho program up for success, and it made a playoff appearance before falling apart after he left in 1999. Santa Fe High got to 5-5 in 2002, but politics and a 3-7 season in '03 paved his departure route. At Española Valley, Moon's teams went 2-8, but again administrative squabbles ended his tenure.
But that in itself is also a troubling trend, which is why the odds are higher.
2. Quevin Redding (7-1). Redding's youth and enthusiasm make him a strong candidate. His spread offense could attract more talent because of the wide-open brand of football, compared the Moon's tried-and-true I-formation philosophy. He brought Pojoaque its first winning varsity record last year as well as the school's second playoff appearance. He also has experience with programs at schools that has a higher ratio of students from lower-income backgrounds, having coached at Española Valley. The question then, will be can he get a strong enough staff around him.
3. (tie) Mike Dalton and Johnny Carson (15-1). Both are assistant coaches (Dalton with Albuquerque Valley, Carson at Ruidoso) looking to get a valued head coaching job. Dalton has experience at Capital, having coached under Steve Castille in 2004, so he does know the program. It will take a knockout interview for them to move ahead of the other two.
5. Joshua Wallace. If a coach ever gets a job from a phone interview, especially at Capital, he's got to be the second coming of John Calipari or he has no idea what he's getting into. And if he does, why apply?
Santa Fe High boys basketball
1. Porter Cutrell (2-1). He was a very successful coach at Denver prep school Mullen High, compiling a 234-107 record with two Class AAAAA state titles and four championship appearances. Cutrell also has coached athletes to the Division I level, so he has the pedigree. His resume is impressive enough to make him the leader out of the group of nine interviewees. However, coaching at a public school - and at Santa Fe High - is a different ball of wax. No doubt the Demons will be successful under Cutrell, but how long would he stay?
2. David Rodriguez (3-1). He was good enough for Hobbs (albeit that was 11 year ago), but not good enough for Santa Fe High (three years later). But Rodriguez, who coached the Demons from 1992-2002, still commands respect as a candidate. That he will face the likes of Capital, Espanola and Los Alamos instead of La Cueva, Sandia and Valley plays into his hands. The Rodriguez coaching family tree is steep (dad Bob coached the Demons and St. Michael's; brother Ernie is the SFIS head man) and Rodriguez has a reputation that is above reproach. If the committee wants to play it safe, he would be the perfect choice.
3. Rick Apodaca (6-1). I'll say this right off the bat: I'm an Apodaca fan. He was done wrong at Taos, but he had the program moving the right direction. Two seasons under St. Michael's head coach Ron Geyer's tutelage makes him that much better. He already knew Geyer's system, having been under another Geyer protege in Mark Gallegos at Portales, but he is a head coach in waiting. He's communicative, affable and very much a coach players will rally under. Any program - be it Santa Fe High or otherwise - would be better to have him handling it.
4. James Branch/Lenny Roybal (10-1). Sorry, Lenny, I like your chances as County Commissioner better. Roybal says he has the program ready to win a AAAA title right now, but he also said he felt the Demons would play for a state title in the next three years. That was in 2007. The 2009-10 season was a huge disappointment, and I attribute much of that to the falling out between Roybal and former top assistant Gordon Betancourt. Branch is hedging his bets that he won't keep his job at Taos (he is being investigated by the school district over his handling of players), but I've always felt his heart was set on Taos. And I believe he'll stay there.
5. Danny Trujillo/Tom Montoya/John Carpenter (50-1). Trujillo and Montoya are assistant coaches (Trujillo at Taos; Montoya at Santa Fe High) with different backgrounds. Trujillo is looking for his first head coaching opportunity; Montoya is still trying to get back into the game after resigning at St. Michael's in 2002. Both are good coaches, but given the caliber of candidates here, they, too, will have to knock the committee out to get to the top of this list. Nothing is known on Carpenter, so he remains a mystery.
May 15, 2010
Nightcap: No. 1 NMHU vs. No. 6 St. Cloud State
Top of second inning
Oscar Sigala, who had a grand slam in the win over Mesa State, adds a solo poke over the right-field wall for 1-0.
Bottom third
The Huskies manufacture a two-our run when Nate Hammes' chopper bounced of Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky couldn't glove. Jordan Smith had an RBI single, then Nate Hammes' grounder up the middle went off Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky's glove to let Joey Benke score for 2-1.
Bottom fourth
St. Cloud State continues to get to Wischmann. Steve Rindelaub's single scores Tyler Horning.
Phil Imolte's sacrifice scored another run. Wischmann needs one out to minimize the damage, but no.
Travis Cariveau singles in a run. Joey Benke hits a two-run homer for 7-1 before Wischmann gets out of the inning.
Top fifth.
The inning starts off well with a Gutchewsky single and Phillip Rodriguez is hit by a pitch, as is Thomas DeAngelis to load the bases. But as the Cowboys' luck is with the Huskies, Christian Garcia lines to short and Rodriguez is doubled off. Then St. Cloud State starter Shawn Riesgraf unravels. He hits David Bustillos and then bounces three of four intentional walk pitches to Jason Carr for a run. Then Danny Brown walks on four pitches to push across another run. New pitcher Ryan Schwenke hits Brad Morgan for another run. 7-4. Sigala strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom of sixth
Again, Wischmann can't get the job done and Tyler Shaddy, the closer, is called in with the score 8-4. Benke doubles to put runners on second and third, then Jordan Smith hammers a triple to right center for 10-4. Horning's sacrifice bunt scores smith for 11-4, then all hell breaks loose.
On Rindlaub's groundout to second, he collides with Cowboys first baseman Jason Carr. Words are exchanged and the umpires step in to prevent any escalation.
After a brief conference, Carr is ejected, and Highlands head coach Steve Jones is livid. Eventually he is thrown out as well, and he tries to rally his troops.
Top eighth
It takes a while for the spark to set, but it starts with a Garcia single, then Bustillos is hit by a Jamie Kissell pitch. Brown sends one to the deepest part of center field but it is off the wall. Two runs score and he then scores on Morgan's infield hit for 11-8.
Final
St. Cloud State 12, New Mexico Highlands 8
The Cowboys got nothing going in the ninth, and the Huskies advance to championship Sunday to face Minnesota State.
New Mexico Highlands ends the season at 41-13.
Oscar Sigala, who had a grand slam in the win over Mesa State, adds a solo poke over the right-field wall for 1-0.
Bottom third
The Huskies manufacture a two-our run when Nate Hammes' chopper bounced of Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky couldn't glove. Jordan Smith had an RBI single, then Nate Hammes' grounder up the middle went off Cowboys shortstop Kyle Gutchewsky's glove to let Joey Benke score for 2-1.
Bottom fourth
St. Cloud State continues to get to Wischmann. Steve Rindelaub's single scores Tyler Horning.
Phil Imolte's sacrifice scored another run. Wischmann needs one out to minimize the damage, but no.
Travis Cariveau singles in a run. Joey Benke hits a two-run homer for 7-1 before Wischmann gets out of the inning.
Top fifth.
The inning starts off well with a Gutchewsky single and Phillip Rodriguez is hit by a pitch, as is Thomas DeAngelis to load the bases. But as the Cowboys' luck is with the Huskies, Christian Garcia lines to short and Rodriguez is doubled off. Then St. Cloud State starter Shawn Riesgraf unravels. He hits David Bustillos and then bounces three of four intentional walk pitches to Jason Carr for a run. Then Danny Brown walks on four pitches to push across another run. New pitcher Ryan Schwenke hits Brad Morgan for another run. 7-4. Sigala strikes out to end the inning.
Bottom of sixth
Again, Wischmann can't get the job done and Tyler Shaddy, the closer, is called in with the score 8-4. Benke doubles to put runners on second and third, then Jordan Smith hammers a triple to right center for 10-4. Horning's sacrifice bunt scores smith for 11-4, then all hell breaks loose.
On Rindlaub's groundout to second, he collides with Cowboys first baseman Jason Carr. Words are exchanged and the umpires step in to prevent any escalation.
After a brief conference, Carr is ejected, and Highlands head coach Steve Jones is livid. Eventually he is thrown out as well, and he tries to rally his troops.
Top eighth
It takes a while for the spark to set, but it starts with a Garcia single, then Bustillos is hit by a Jamie Kissell pitch. Brown sends one to the deepest part of center field but it is off the wall. Two runs score and he then scores on Morgan's infield hit for 11-8.
Final
St. Cloud State 12, New Mexico Highlands 8
The Cowboys got nothing going in the ninth, and the Huskies advance to championship Sunday to face Minnesota State.
New Mexico Highlands ends the season at 41-13.
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