The winter campaigns of the Pintos' basketball teams are done and Moriarty's baseball and softball teams sent opening salvos across a budding spring season's bow with respective victories at Cleveland High in Rio Rancho Tuesday. The pair of contests, played on the artificial turf of the Storm's new athletic complex, were two of the first four initial events in which local area prep schools participated on the first day of the spring season.

Moriarty's softball squad defeated Cleveland 19-6. The new Rio Rancho school was named after its district superintendent, V. Sue Cleveland, not Grover Cleveland, America's 22nd and 24th president.

The Pintos' junior pitcher Morgan McWilliams, the coach's daughter, had a fun afternoon. She went the 5-inning distance, giving up two hits, allowing two walks and striking out 10.

McWilliams also helped herself with a three-run homer in the third inning. And, in a 2-for-3 effort, she had a double, to boot.

Sophomore Amber Cole, the Pintos' right fielder, was 3-for-3 at the plate.

"We're a lot younger than I expected with one junior and three seniors," Moriarty coach Brett McWilliams said. "The rest are freshman and sophomores. Ryan (Andrews-Armijo) didn't come out, and some of the others just decided to go play tennis or do track. But we should be all right. We're just younger than I expected."

The Pintos' seniors include Rheanna Smith (first base), Sarah Pitcher-Werner (center field) and Alison Shuert (left field). The team's other key players are Mikaela Colegrove (freshman catcher), Melissa Brown (freshman, second base), Breanna Robinson (sophomore third base) and Kira Turnham (sophomore shortstop).

Still, the coach is confident his girls can be competitive with the likes of Del Norte, Albuquerque Academy and Valencia in District 5-4A play. The Pintos (15-11, 6-2 in district last year) were the 5-4A runners-up in 2009.

"Del Norte should still be decent this year," McWilliams said. "They kept their pitcher. And Valencia will be better. They were real young last year. I don't think they lost anybody from last year. We played them in a scrimmage. We didn't throw Morgan against them, and we lost 7-9 against their starter."

Moriarty was eliminated in the second round of the losers' bracket during the 2009 state Class 4A double-elimination tournament.

Moriarty baseball

The Pintos quelled Cleveland's Storm 9-6 in their season opener.

Senior Chris Fischer was the winning pitcher. In five innings of work, he had nine Ks, walked three and gave up six hits.

Sam Crabtree, also a senior, came in in relief for the final two innings. He fanned four and allowed two hits, and he was 2-for-4 and had a three-run homer in the fourth inning.

Moriarty coach John Ruben said he currently has a three-man pitching rotation with Fisher, Crabtree and senior Robbie Bell.

The Pintos' other hitters included senior Max Ruben, the coach's son, 2-for-3 with a double; senior Nick Gonzales, 2-for-4 with a double; junior Isaac Aragon, 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI; and Fischer, 2-for-4 with three RBI.

"We have high expectations this year," John Ruben said. "But until we beat Academy (in district), they have to be the favorite. We've got seven returning starters. I think they'll work for a state championship. Time will tell, but with these seniors, I do think they have high expectations."

Here's the Pintos' base lineup with the caveat that one of the pitchers, when not on the mound, could also man first base: Catcher — Isaac Aragon (catcher), First Base — junior Eric Garcia, Second Base — senior Keaton Chancellor, Third Base — Bell or junior Nathan Aultman, Shortstop — Nick Gonzales, the senior, Left Field — Max Ruben, Center Field — Crabtree or freshman Nick Gonzales (not related to the senior Gonzales, according to the coach), and Right Field — the freshman Gonzales or senior Nile Reneker.

Rounding out the roster are juniors Jordan Dautenhahn and Jared Gastelum.

"I have like 13 guys," the coach said. "But there could be some changes in the lineup. I could take a couple extra guys down to Goddard (this weekend in Roswell). And it could change over the course of the year."

Moriarty finished its 2009 season at 17-8. The Pintos were the district runners-up at 6-2, and they fell in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament.

Manzano

Valley knocked off the Monarchs' softball team 11-1 in five innings during their season opener at the Vikings' diamond Tuesday.

Manzano was 13-16, 8-4 in District 5-5A last year. The Monarchs were the district runner-up, and they lost in the second round of the losers' bracket during the 2009 state Class 5A double-elimination tournament.

Meanwhile, St. Pius beat Manzano's baseball team 10-6 in their first game of the season at the Sartans' campus Tuesday.

Manzano was 11-17, 6-6 in district last year. It lost in the first round of the state tournament.

Harold Smith can be reached at 823-7104 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

East Mountain baseball at Capitan, March 12, 3 and 5 p.m.

EMHS softball vs. Valencia: March 12, 3 p.m.

EMHS track at Grants meet, Saturday, 9 a.m.

EMHS golf in Bernalillo tournament at Santa Ana Golf Course: March 22, 9:30 a.m.

Estancia baseball hosts Eunice, March 13, noon and 2 p.m.

EHS softball hosts Dexter, March 16, 3 p.m.

EHS boys track at Moriarty Quad, March 20, 9 a.m.

EHS girls track in Rocket-Coyote Invitational at Wool Bowl in Roswell: March 18, 3 p.m.

Manzano baseball hosts Sandia High, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Manzano softball at West Mesa, today, 4 p.m.

Manzano track in APS Kickoff Meet: Saturday, girls at Wilson Stadium, 8:30 a.m.; boys at Milne Stadium, 9 a.m.

Manzano boys tennis hosts Del Norte, Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

Manzano girls tennis at Del Norte, Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.

Manzano golf in APS Invitational at UNM Championship Golf Course: March 15-16, 8 a.m. both days

Moriarty baseball vs. El Paso Del Valle, first round of Goddard tournament at NMMI in Roswell: March 11, 1 p.m.

Moriarty softball hosts Los Alamos, March 16, 3:30 p.m.

Moriarty track at Los Lunas meet, Saturday, 9 a.m.

Moriarty coed tennis vs. Raton and West Las Vegas in triangular at Santa Fe High: March 20, 9 a.m.

Moriarty golf in APS Invitational at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course: March 16, 8 a.m. (girls only)

Mountainair track in Rattler Relays at Tucumcari: March 20, 9 a.m.

Upcoming Spring Sports Schedule