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Thursday, March 6, 2008

Pintos Psyched to Show Off Their Stuff

By Harold Smith
Mountain View Telegraph
    There's something special about this year's Moriarty High baseball team.
    The Pintos (20-9, 12-3 in District 5-4A in 2007) are coming off a successful season as the state Class 4A runner-up.
    Moriarty lost— to graduation— Matt Moore, who signed last summer with MLB's Tampa Bay organization, and Eric Lucero, who plays football and baseball at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
    But the Pintos have six seniors on its 2008 roster, including first-team all-stater Ben Gonzales, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound center fielder and pitcher. This team has possibilities.
    "I think we'll be tough," said second-team all-stater Nick Chavez, Moriarty's 5-11, 166-pound senior pitcher/infielder. "There's a lot of experience with all of our seniors. We just need to play as a team. I can't wait till it starts."
    Jason Watrin, a 5-11, 200-pound senior catcher, has come a long way since his first start at Belen on March 26, 2005.
    "I think I feel more in control now than I did back then," Watrin said. "I really wasn't ready back then. We want to get back to the state championship. We were so close last year."
    J Stablein, a 6-1, 180-pound senior pitcher/first baseman, started on the mound during the state title game against Farmington at Isotopes Park last May. Moriarty fell 8-5, but Stablein gained experience.
    "It was fun," he said. "Now I just feel more confident."
    The Pintos, most of all, would like to sweep St. Pius.
    "That's always a good game," said senior James Gambling, a 5-8, 150-pound left fielder. "We always look forward to playing them— and beating them."
    Josh Weaver, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior infielder/pitcher, is temporarily out of commission with a case of pneumonia.
    Moriarty's Nick Gonzales is a key underclassman.
    "Everybody's important on this team," Pintos eight-year coach Michael Chavez said. "It's just that Nick was (a first-team) all-stater as a freshman shortstop. But it takes all the guys. We have a lot of guys who can play. We lost some pitching, but we probably have 10 guys who can pitch this year."
    MORIARTY SOFTBALL: The Lady Pintos got a preseason booster shot.
    Moriarty defeated Class 5A's Sandia High 8-2 and Rio Grande 9-1 in scrimmages at SHS on Saturday.
    "I pitched in the Sandia game," said Pintos right-hander Jennifer Inocencio, a 5-4 senior. "I felt comfortable. I didn't have any walks. That was a great way to start."
    Moriarty (17-10, 9-6 in district) advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2007.
    The Pintos lost what fifth-year coach Brett McWilliams called "the best outfield in the state" when Josette Aguirre and Jaime Silva graduated.
    "I had concerns when we first started," McWilliams said. "But after the scrimmages I don't, not after the way we looked on Saturday."
    Other seniors include Marie Aultman (3B), Sonya Chavez (1B/C), Kathleen Nixon (IF), Teresa Romero (IF) and Sara Synstelien (OF).
    Synstelien isn't eligible yet. She had transferred out of state, then returned.
    Chavez led 4A with a .527 batting average in 2007. She's undecided where she will play college ball, but Southern California, New Mexico, Northern Colorado and Denver have shown some interest.
    "This year, we did a lot of preseason stuff," said the 5-7 Chavez. "That's really helped. We have already done all of our fundamentals. And we moved people around to find out where they belonged. It's a team thing with us."
    Nixon, a 5-1 senior, has signed with Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.
    "We're having a lot of fun," said Nixon, now a shortstop/second baseman after previously playing at third. "I think that's important."
    EAST MOUNTAIN BASEBALL: The Timberwolves (9-11, 0-6 in District 5-2A) didn't qualify for the state Class 2A tourney last year. But things are looking up at the charter school.
    "I think it's the best lineup we've ever had," EMHS fourth-year coach David Naylor said. "I have six to seven kids that I think can hit over .600. We've got some speed, too. I think it will be exciting."
    The T'Wolves' seniors include Andrew Ganger (P/C/OF), Justin Baker (OF) and Mike Pandolfo.
    EMHS SOFTBALL: Lady Timberwolves second-year coach Denise Whipple doesn't abide any negativity.
    "I expect to go undefeated," she said. "The players I have this year are phenomenal. I expect us to go to the state tournament and win state. There's no doubt in my mind."
    EMHS was 14-6, 4-4 in District 2/1A-2A in 2007. The team didn't qualify for state.
    The T'Wolves' seniors are Elizabeth Zeni (CF), Maggie Gronewald (IF), Jessica Pohl (RF), Emily McKinney (OF) and team captain Rachael Rembold (1B).
    MANZANO BASEBALL: The Monarchs were 10-16, 3-9 in District 5-5A in 2007. They didn't make the cut for state.
    "We have a better chance than the last two or three years," said Manzano 14th-year coach Jim Briggs. "We have more of an opportunity because of the seniors and the experience level."
    The Monarchs' 12th-graders include Chad Robertson (SS), Scott Schlosser (P/3B), Nick Nelsen (SS), Braden Perks (OF), Kelly Fillinger (OF) and team captain Russell Hartshorn (1B).
    MANZANO SOFTBALL: The Lady Monarchs finished 2007 at 15-12, 8-4. They advanced to the state quarterfinals.
    "We'll be strong on defense and with our hitting," Manzano ninth-year coach Arthur Samora said. "We'll be real young with our pitching staff."
    The 2008 seniors include Brenda Hearn (1B), Ashley Sanchez (CF), Amity Livingston (SS) and Cassandra Jaramillo (OF/C).
    "We lost seven seniors, two pitchers (to graduation)," Samora said. "But I've got some good players coming up from JV. We're reloading, not rebuilding."