Goldberg, Del Angel help Storm coast by 'Stangs in Metro Tourney first round

RIO RANCHO — In the spirit of “March Madness” starting this week, the West Mesa Mustangs looked to potentially channel a Cinderella upset out on the diamond in the first round of the metro baseball tournament, opening up the game against Cleveland with a 1-0 lead at the Shock Yards.

But once the Storm stepped up to the plate, that idea was nothing but make-believe.

Cleveland rolled through their metro tournament opener, defeating the Mustangs 13-1 to advance.

A two-homer day for Anthony Del Angel highlighted a jam-packed box score, including a leadoff inside-the-park home run to level the game at 1-1.

From that point on, it was all electric blue. Cleveland posted five runs on seven hits in the bottom of the second inning, earning a big chunk of their 15-hit afternoon.

The frame included a two-RBI single from Del Angel, followed by a Francisco Hernandez triple to bring in another run. Caleb Budagher added an RBI knock of his own, with Treven Polanco rounding out the crooked number with an RBI double.

Putting together what would be a highlight day for most in just two innings of play, Del Angel put the cherry on top with his second solo homer, this time over the fence in right, to add two more runs. University of Oklahoma’s future infielder would finish with four RBIs.

What was once a deficit was now smooth sailing, as the Mustangs were lucky to even get on the board.

Some first-inning misplays in the field would allow West Mesa to capitalize, potentially derailing Deegan Goldberg’s second start of the season.

Goldberg didn’t flinch.

After the opening blip, the senior tossed eight strikeouts in five innings while only allowing one hit and two walks.

Goldberg is now 2-0 on the season, putting together back-to-back dominant performances against Belen and now West Mesa.

Cleveland lived up to their one-seed title in their tournament debut, as they will now look to keep the momentum rolling into the rest of bracket play.

Wins in the quarter and semifinals would set up the Storm in the weekend championship, with a chance to meet crosstown rival and fellow undefeated program Rio Rancho in the title game.