They're in! Bernalillo Spartans make state baseball tournament

BERNALILLO — The Bernalillo Spartans baseball team (11-14) made the cut for the state tournament as a number 16 seed when the brackets were released Sunday.

"A bunch have grown up playing with each other ... we've played with each other almost our whole lives," catcher Isaac Acosta said. "So, coming into state with a bunch of kids I've played with my whole life, that feels really good."

The Spartans will play Artesia High School (20-6) at 7 p.m. May 9, the first game in a three-game series. Artesia is the No. 1 seed.

"If we have our mental game right going into state, I feel like we can definitely switch it around and show everyone what we're about," junior first baseman Jacob Duran said.

The Spartan players know that they are the underdog. However, they are prepared to give it their all for first-year head coach Aaron Budagher, a graduate of BHS.

"On our jerseys it says, 'Berno Boys' and it means a lot to us, especially our coach because he's an alumni," shortstop Uriel Castro said. "He's just trying to make his town proud."

Castro, a three-sport athlete and BHS legend, will get to put on the Spartan uniform again and play alongside his brothers — and his actual brother, Ulisses Castro, who leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage.

However, the Spartans are playing for more than baseball. Bernalillo Spartans girls basketball coach Ashley Darnell was recently diagnosed with stage three cancer, and the entire Spartan community, including the Spartan baseball team, is rallying behind her.

"It's important that she understands that she is not alone, that the whole community is behind her and that this state run is going to be for her," Castro said.