The 2018 high school baseball season in the Valley was one to forget — except for McCurdy Charter School.
The Bobcats were the only team to make the playoffs and were the sole team to finish with a winning record (12-7).
They lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs to Laguna Acoma Junior/Senior High School, but head coach Roberto DeVargas was optimistic about what his team accomplished — and what they can look forward to next season.
“We will have to work a little harder next year to correct some things,” he said to his team, May 2, after the playoff loss. “We will mature more by next year and take care of business when we drop down to 2A.”
McCurdy will be joined in their new district by Desert Academy, Monte del Sol and Tierra Encantada Charter School, who the Bobcats beat three times this season, by a combined score of 45-1.
McCurdy was led by a trio of juniors in Kemmer Croff (33 hits, 20 RBIs, .550 average), Nikko Valdez (29, 21, .483) and A.J. Vallo (28, 17, .481).
They also received major contributions from sophomores Josh Esquibel and Diego Borrego — plus, Santiago Samora started at second base as a freshman.
The Bobcats will return all of their starters next season.
“It’s very important because they are the core of the team,” DeVargas said. “Also, the non-starters are an integral part to the team. Everybody returning as a whole is a great thing — they know each other very well and most of them have played together since little league.”
Española Valley
The Miguel Duran-led Sundevils suffered the worst season of any team in the Valley, finishing 2-23.
They were led by veteran players, which made the results even more frustrating for the head coach.
“It’s not like we’re inexperienced,” Duran said, April 17, after losing the first game of a doubleheader to Bernalillo High School. “We have juniors and seniors out there, which makes it even more frustrating when we make these mental errors.”
The top five statistical leaders in hits were all seniors, with Jonathon Sanchez leading the way with 29 in 79 at-bats.
Duran also talked about confidence and the ability to rebound after adversity as one of the biggest areas that plagued his team.
Too often, they surrendered multiple runs in the first or second inning and were unable to bounce back.
Their two victories came against Del Notre High School and Pojoaque Valley High School, who had their own issues.
Coaching Problems
The Elks were looking to improve upon their 11-14-1 record in 2017, but differences between head coach Rick Jaramillo and his players stalled their efforts. They finished 5-21.
A student athlete, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution, said that all of the problems revolved around Jaramillo.
“We should have had a winning record, but no one wanted to play for him,” the player said. “He had his favorites, which started a lot of things between the players and no one cared (about competing).”
Assistant coach Chris Kitchens took over the head-coaching duties, April 17, after Jaramillo was put on leave due to a school district investigation related to personnel reasons.
“When coach Kitchens took over, it was like a switch flipped on and we had the passion again that we needed at the beginning of the season,” the player said. “It was just the wrong time for it to happen because everybody was already well out of practice mode, so it was like getting ready for a new season.”
Pojoaque’s director of human resources, Angela Lobato, could not comment about the investigation when it first went public and said last week that there is no update and it’s still a “personnel matter.”
However, the anonymous source said that it is unlikely that Jaramillo will return next season.
One of the Elks’ bright spots was the play from junior Gabe Huerta, who led the team in almost all offensive categories.
He recorded 19 hits, 12 RBIs, scored 15 runs and stole 20 bases in 24 games played.
The former transfer from McCurdy had to adjust to playing at a higher-level of competition after sitting out last season.
“This year was rough for me after missing last season because of transferring,” Huerta said. “My defense was still spot on and I was happy to make most of the plays that I did.”
Looking to continue his career in college, Huerta will play for three travel teams this summer and participate in the College World Series invite-only camp, June 16-21, in Omaha, Neb.
“I have a lot of work ahead me, but I’m up for the challenge,” Huerta said.