Antonio Gonzales hits a double in the ninth inning during the April 19 game against Albuquerque Academy. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com ​

By GEORGE MORSE
Los Alamos Daily Post

The Los Alamos High School baseball team and the Los Alamos softball team continue to fight for a spot in the Class 5A state playoffs.

The Los Alamos baseball team did what it had to do to stay alive for an at-large bid to the Class 5A baseball playoffs. The Hilltoppers picked up what may be their biggest win of the season April 19 against Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, defeating the Chargers 7-4 in nine innings.

Academy was previously unbeaten in District 2-5A and was ranked fourth in the state in Class 5A. Los Alamos tied the game 4-4 with a run in the top of the seventh inning to force extra innings.

The Hilltoppers scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning and held the Chargers scoreless in the bottom of the ninth to earn the victory. With the win, Los Alamos improves to 5-4 in District 2-5A.

The Hilltoppers need to win their remaining games in District 2-5A in order to finish in a tie for second place in District 2-5A with Del Norte High School. Del Norte will have the tiebreaker because they won their head-to-head competition with Los Alamos 2-1 in District 2-5A. Academy has already locked up first place in District 2-5A with a 10-1 record.

Los Alamos will face Espanola Valley High School Wednesday at Los Alamos and the Hilltoppers have a doubleheader against Capital High School Saturday in Santa Fe. Del Norte has a doubleheader Saturday at Espanola Valley. If the Sundevils can upset Del Norte in one of those games, Los Alamos could take over second place.

The Hilltoppers are currently ranked 19th in Class 5A. Only 16 teams will be selected to the Class 5A state baseball playoffs.

The Los Alamos softball team took care of business when they beat Albuquerque Academy 14-2 April 19 in Albuquerque.

The Lady Hilltoppers have a key game against Espanola Valley High School Wednesday at Los Alamos. The Lady Sundevils and Los Alamos are tied for first place in District 2-5A, each with an 8-1 record in District 2-5A.

The winner of Wednesday’s game will take over first place in District 2-5A and earn the automatic bid to the Class 5A state softball playoffs that comes with the District 2-5A championship. Finishing second in the district standings does not guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Los Alamos is currently ranked 17th in the state and only 12 teams will be selected for the Class 5A state softball playoffs.

First baseman Claire Bluhm catches the ball in time to tag out a Pinto player in the first inning of the April 20 game in White Rock. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com​