Mesilla Valley wins first-ever state baseball title in 22-0 rout (original) (raw)

2A BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

SonBlazers end a decades-long championship drought with a 22-0 mercy-rule victory over Hozho Academy

Mesilla Valley made sure there would be no doubt regarding its first-ever state baseball championship.

The fourth-seeded SonBlazers (19-3) used a 17-run fourth inning to roll to a 22-0 mercy-rule shortened victory against No. 3 Hozho Academy (20-9) in the Class 2A final at Lobo Field on Saturday. After coming up short in championship games in 2018, 2017, 2008 and 2007, Mesilla Valley has its first blue trophy.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said senior right fielder Kaden Warner. “We’ve been working really hard. We were looking to win the state championship this year, and it’s just a big accomplishment for all of us and the coaches.”

Jeremy Sullivan, who is just the second baseball coach in program history, was part of the staff for a couple of those past championship losses under former leader Steve Beardsley.

“Last year we had a pretty loaded team, got bounced in the quarters, and this year these guys just didn’t quit,” Sullivan said. “Played consistently and never gave up and just got it done.”

At no point was that “no quit” mentality more evident than in the fourth inning, when Mesilla Valley (19-3) scored 15 runs before the Wolves recorded a single out. All told, the SonBlazers accumulated 12 hits, five walks and sent 21 men to the plate in the decisive inning. After that, the outcome of the game was a mere formality.

“I thought this was going to be a close game because Hozho’s so well coached. We’ve played them every year for the last four or five years, and it's always a one- or two-run ball game,” Sullivan said. “So I’m really shocked at how this one turned out.”

Six Mesilla Valley players drove in two or more runs during the rout. It’s the 16th time the SonBlazers have scored double-digit runs this season, and the fourth time they’ve reached 20 or more. By dropping the figurative hammer on the Wolves, they gave themselves the opportunity for one last photo-op with an inflatable version that has become synonymous with post-game celebrations this season.

“When we were at the Eunice tournament, these guys were wasting time, so we go to this arcade. They win a bunch of tickets and get this inflatable hammer,” Sullivan said. “And after every win, we take a picture with that inflatable hammer. That has honestly been more motivating than any championship, any trophy. The objective is to take a picture with our inflatable hammer. So that’s what we're about to go do.”

Mesilla Valley Christian beat Hozho Academy 22-0 in the Class 2A Final of the 2026 Nusenda Credit Union State Baseball Championships. Here are some of the highlights (courtesy NFHS network) @nusendacu pic.twitter.com/tSl0fP0WP7

— NMAA (@_NMAA) May 16, 2026