Montezuma-Cortez put on an impressive display of talent and teamwork at the Aztec Invitational, capturing the championship title with a dominant 14-4 victory over Taos in the final game at Fred Cook Memorial Stadium.
From the first pitch to the last out, the Panthers showed why they are one of the top teams in the region, blending explosive offense with airtight defense and strong pitching to secure the title.
The Panthers rolled past Valencia (New Mexico) with a 13-3 victory in opening round action on Thursday. Junior Parker Conrad stood out with a 3-for-3 showing, driving in two runs, while Cory Carver went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. The Panthers capitalized on six Valencia errors and stole nine bases, applying constant pressure.
On Friday, M-CHS earned a spot in the championship game with a 9-6 win over Aztec. Carver’s 3-3 performance at bat, which included three doubles and two RBIs, was complemented by senior Samson Lein, who hit a two-run homer and drove in five RBIs.
Senior Seth Oakes earned the win, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out four. Despite a late rally by Aztec, M-CHS held on to take the lead for good in the sixth inning, with Lein clearing the bases with a deep double to center field.
In the championship game against Taos, Montezuma-Cortez jumped to an early lead with a five-run first inning, while Taos managed one run. The Panthers kept the momentum going in the second, adding four more runs to their total.
The offense was sparked by powerful hits, starting with senior Seth Oakes, who drove in juniors Parker Conrad and Cory Carver. Shortly after, sophomore Easton Pixler followed with another explosive hit, bringing Oakes and junior Jaris McDonald across the plate.
Pixler was a standout for Montezuma-Cortez, finishing with a perfect batting average. In three plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs. Oakes also went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs in his two plate appearances, contributing significantly to the Panthers offensive surge.
The third inning featured another highlight for the Panthers when junior Evan Woody hit a home run, bringing himself and sophomore Jaiden Istenes across the plate for the only runs in that frame.
Cortez’s defense also played a key role, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage and making no errors throughout the game. In the bottom of the third, the Panthers defense stepped up to shut down Taos’ offense. After getting Mario Rodriguez out at first, they turned a double play to end the inning with just three batters faced, keeping the score at 11-1.
On the mound, Montezuma-Cortez’s Michael Krupa delivered a solid performance, throwing four innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, and striking out one. Kallan Wirth came on in relief, pitching one inning and allowing three earned runs.
“Our pitching performance is what led us to our success,” said head coach Jake Huff. “(Krupa) started the game, and we played a good hitting team (Taos), but he allowed our fielders to help him too.”
Despite the early deficit, Taos showed some fight in the fifth inning, scoring 3 runs. Jeremiah Gonzales led the charge, going 2-2 with 2 RBIs, including a home run that gave the team a brief spark. However, the Panthers continued to capitalize on their opportunities, and Taos was unable to close the gap.
Wirth relieved Krupa in the bottom of the fifth inning and struck out Tony Medina. After a couple of walks and a base hit, Taos managed to advance some runners. But the Panthers defense came through again, turning a double play to seal the victory and the first-place finish.
“We had good pitching, and that was the case for all three games,” said Huff. “We also hit the ball really well. It was a breakout weekend for us, and we’re looking for that to continue moving forward.”
The Panthers began their season with a tournament-heavy schedule, starting at the Luke Oeltjenbruns Tournament in Montrose, where they lost to Coal Ridge in their first game. However, they have since won six consecutive games, bringing their record to 6-1.
“We’re playing some good teams in these tournaments, and we get to see good pitching which helps us get better,” Huff said about their schedule. “It’s tough being on the road for the first month of our season, but it’s what we have to do.”
M-CHS demonstrated outstanding chemistry throughout the weekend, with players stepping up at pivotal moments to keep the momentum going.
In the championship game against Taos, the chemistry between Carver, Conrad, Pixler and Oakes was evident. Carver’s 3-4 performance with 3 RBIs was complemented by Conrad, who added 2 hits and 2 RBIs, showcasing their ability to set each other up for success. Pixler’s perfect 2-for-2 outing with 2 RBIs further showed their cohesive approach, while Oakes’s 2 hits and 3 RBIs highlighted the trust they have in each other to deliver.
Defensively, the team was rock-solid, finishing the championship game with a perfect fielding percentage and only giving up four errors throughout the tournament. Carver and McDonald showcased excellent communication and awareness, ensuring smooth transitions between infield and outfield.
The pitching staff, including Krupa and Wirth, worked seamlessly together to keep opponents off balance. The pitchers maintained composure throughout the tournament, and their depth provided a reliable foundation for the team’s success.
“They work well together, and everyone supports each other.” Huff said about the team. “They’re very positive and when one guy goes down, the next guy steps up to fill those shoes. There’s great chemistry across the boards between the guys.”
After claiming the championship, the Panthers aim to carry their momentum into the North Fork tournament on April 4, where they will face Smoky Hill and Glenwood Springs. Following that, they will travel to Durango on April 8 and then to San Juan on April 15. They will begin league play with a doubleheader against Pagosa Springs on April 19.
