Sandia Prep dropped their record down to 9-11 on Saturday, which also ended the team's five-game streak of wins on the road. They fell just short of the Ruidoso Warriors by a score of 6-5. The Sundevils were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Warriors earlier this season, when they won 10-9.
Landon Hardcastle
| 04/26/25 @ Ruidoso | 3 |
| 04/23/25 @ Bosque | 3 |
| 04/15/25 @ Dexter | 3 |
| 04/08/25 vs Ruidoso | 3 |
| 04/04/25 @ St. Michael's | 3 |
| + 11 more games |
Landon Hardcastle was cooking despite his team's loss, going 3-for-4 with two runs, two doubles, and one triple. Sandia Prep is 4-1 when Hardcastle posts three or more hits, but 5-10 otherwise.
As for Ruidoso, they have been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four contests. That's provided a massive bump to their 10-12-1 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 11.8 runs over those games.
On Ruidoso's side, Carson Stratton made a splash no matter where he played. He struck out 12 batters over six innings while giving up four earned (and one unearned) runs off seven hits. Those 12 strikeouts gave Stratton a new career-high. He was also stellar in the batter's box, going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
In other pitching news, Cash Johnston looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, the team relied heavily on Jensen Thetford, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, one run, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Omar Guerrero, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with one run, one double, and one RBI.
While Sandia Prep had to take the loss, they won't have to wait long to give it another shot: the pair will be back at it again later today.
