Artesia High School's baseball and softball teams both finished second in their respective 4A state championship tournaments in Albuquerque. The softball team clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Gallup Bengals in the first game but lost 7-0 in the deciding game. The baseball team, which upset top-seed Roswell Goddard, led Grants Pirates 3-2 early before ultimately falling 5-3. Significant contributions were made by seniors, marking their final games for the Bulldogs.

By the Numbers
  • Gallup's softball team scored 7 runs on 11 hits in Game 2.
  • Artesia baseball had 5 hits in their 5-3 loss against Grants.
Yes, But

Artesia’s initial shutout victory had given them an edge over Gallup, and they led Grants early in the baseball championship. However, both Bulldogs teams were overpowered in the decisive moments, showcasing the high level of competition.

State of Play
  • Artesia softball had a historic rematch against Gallup, mirroring their 2021 title game.
  • Artesia baseball pulled off an upset against the No. 1 seed before falling to the No. 2 seed.
What's Next

With the departure of key seniors from both teams, Artesia will focus on rebuilding and preparing for next season. The underclassmen will need to step up to fill the void left by graduates.

Bottom Line

Despite falling short in both championship games, Artesia's teams demonstrated resilience and competitiveness, setting a strong foundation for future seasons.