Carlsbad baseball receives state rings

CARLSBAD — After taking home the blue trophy and hanging an updated banner in the gym, the Carlsbad baseball team had one more thing to collect after its 6A state championship: their rings.

The Cavemen received their 2016 state championship rings on Friday, the final chapter in the team's latest state title run.

"I've been waiting forever to get this thing. It's beautiful," said pitcher Josh Chavarria, who couldn't take his eyes off his ring. "It's crazy. We had a fun season. We kind of just clicked at the end together. It took a lot of work. It wasn't given."

After defeating Eldorado and Volcano Vista to reach the state championship game, Carlsbad (25-6) took down Rio Rancho in nine innings to win it all.

The wins over Eldorado and Rio Rancho featured late-inning heroics, while the victory over Volcano Vista was an incredible come-from-behind story.

With Carlsbad down 3-2 and down to its final strike in the top of the seventh inning against Eldorado, catcher Eric Hernandez crushed the game-winning three-run double to the left field wall.

Down 5-0 against Volcano Vista, Carlsbad's offense stormed back en route to a 7-5 win and another trip to the finals.

Tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning against Rio Rancho, third baseman Seth Olguin reached base after a hitting a deep triple. Chavarria drove in Olguin on a sacrifice fly to get Carlsbad on top, 2-1. Closing in the bottom of the ninth, Chavarria secured the title with a strikeout.

"I wish I could relive it every day," Chavarria said.

In 2016, Carlsbad captured its 49th district title and 11th state title in program history. The Cavemen have won two state titles in the last five years.

"It never really hit me until right now. All the work finally paid off. Definitely icing on the cake, dog piling at Isotopes Park and getting the blue trophy," pitcher Trevor Rogers said. "I'll never forget those three days [in Albuquerque]."

Although Chavarria, Hernandez, Olguin, shortstop Ryan Razo and rightfielder Garret Day graduated this past May, Carlsbad still has plenty of talent coming back for 2017.

Rogers and pitcher Ty Castaneda, first baseman Will Fiala and outfielder Armani Deporto will return for their senior years. Centerfielder Tristan Walker, second baseman Jordin Molina and pitcher Nate Arrington will be juniors, while leftfielder Mason Estrada will enter his sophomore year.

Back for one more season, Rogers said he hopes Friday won't be the last time he sees a state title ring on his finger.

"It'll mean the world to not just have one, but two. I think we have the talent to do it," Rogers said.

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.