Cavemen Zap Hobbs for District 4/5A Title

By Don Eskins

The Carlsbad Cavemen—behind the two-hit shut-out performance of sophomore hurler Wade Cozart and a two-for-two night at the plate by junior left-fielder Brock Wright that included a home run, double, and 3 RBIs—routed the Hobbs Eagles 10-0 to claim the 2026 District 4/5A title on Tuesday afternoon, April 28, in the Cavern City.

The Cavemen entered the game, perfect at 4-0 in conference play and needed only a split with Hobbs, who came in at 2-2, to grab this year’s district title. And they got it!

Following a 0-0 start through the first one-and-a-half innings of play, Wright sent the Eagles an early message in the bottom of the second. And the Eagles understood it only too well.

With Connor Roberson and Mitchell Espinda on base, Wright launched a Hobbs pitch out of the park to give CHS an early 3-0 lead.

The Cavemen added two more in the third, three more in the second, and another two in the fifth en route to closing out the Eagles 10-0 in an abbreviated (due to the 10-run rule) five-inning game.

In control throughout the contest, Cozart, while limiting Hobbs to just two hits, gave up just one walk with two strikeouts. Of the 64 pitches he delivered, 43 were strikes.

“Although having some problems with his fastball, Wade made some adjustments with his off-speed stuff and was very effective,” said McGaha. “Very competitive, he always gives us a chance to win. He’s just that good. When something isn’t working for him, he almost always finds something else that will.”

EZ Lopez, as with Brock Wright, also had a big afternoon with the bat. The junior third baseman went two-for-two with two doubles.

Ranked sixth this week by MaxPreps, the Cavemen’s victory upped their seasonal mark to 15-10. In conference play, they’re perfect at 5-0. Hobbs, ranked 11th, fell to 12-13 on the year and 2-3 in district.

The Cavemen have won five in a row and 13 of their last 19 games.

“Although we haven’t peaked yet, I’m really proud of what these young men have been able to accomplish so far,” said the CHS pilot. “Not the most talented group we’ve had, they’ve bought into the program, stayed the course, and worked very hard.

“Regardless of what our won-loss record may be,” continued McGaha. “These kids have positioned themselves to have just as good a shot at winning state as have the kids for the past couple of years.”

Note: Due to expectations of bad weather, the second of two scheduled Carlsbad vs. Hobbs games, set for Friday, May 1, in Hobbs, was moved up to Wednesday, April 29.

NMAA’s Selection Sunday

Seedings for the Class 5A state baseball tournament will go out on Sunday, May 3. First-round play in the New Mexico Big Dance, a best-of-three series, will take place on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, at the site of the top eight seeds.

Although not yet confirmed, CHS is expected to host a first-round series at the Tom Forni Cavemen Corral. Cavemen fans should check the NMAA’s website for this year’s brackets.

Cavemen 11, Roswell 9

In a game that Cavemen baseball head coach Mike McGaha called the most important game on their schedule, Carlsbad High downed the Roswell Coyotes 11-9 on Friday, April 24, in the Cavern City.

The win kept CHS, ranked sixth in Class 5A baseball, perfect at 4-0 in conference play and in control of the race for this year’s District 4/5A title.

Carlsbad’s Evan Ortiz, on the mound for 5.2 innings, held the Coyotes to seven hits, with one walk and four strikeouts en route to the 11-9 win. Only five of Roswell’s runs were earned. During his afternoon’s work, Ortiz threw 96 pitches, 60 for strikes.

CHS also got solid relief from Eloy Lopez. Lopez, on the hill for the game’s final four outs, allowed the Otes no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts to get the save. Of the 22 pitches Lopez threw, 17 were strikes.

Lopez’s performance was especially pleasing for CHS head baseball coach Mike McGaha.

“Having Eloy back on the mound, following his injury, has really added a lot of depth to our pitching staff,” said the CHS head coach. “Having him back will also free up Mike Davis to throw. So, with Wade Cozart, Ortiz, Lopez, and Davis all available for mound duty, things are looking much better for us as we head down the stretch.”

First baseman EZ Lopez and third baseman Wade Cozart, each with multiple hits, led a Cavemen 11-hit attack. At the plate, Lopez went 4-4 with two doubles, scored three runs, and collected four RBIs. Cozart went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. He also reached base safely on a walk.

The victory elevated CHS’s overall record to 14-10. Roswell fell to 10-13 on the year and 1-3 in conference.

CHS vs. Hobbs

Tuesday, April 28

Leaders: Eloy Lopez, 1-3; EZ Lopez, 2-2, 2R, BB; Jayden Carter, 0-2, RBI; Wade Cozart, 0-2, BB; Connor Roberson, 1-3, R; Mitchell Espinda, 0-2, R, RBI, BB; Ricardo Herrera, 0-2, R, BB; Brock Wright, 2-2, 3R, 3RBI; Mike Davis, 0-1, R; Ryley Hernandez, 0-0, RBI; Extra Base Hits: B. Wright, HR, 2B; EZ Lopez, 2x2B; HBP: J. Carter, 2, B. Wright, E. Lopez, M. Davis; Sacrifice Fly: R. Hernandez. (Game Changer Stats)

CHS vs. Roswell

Friday, April 24

RHS 9

CHS 11

Leaders: Eloy Lopez, 1-5, 2R; EZ Lopez, 4-4, 3R, 4RBI; Jayden Carter, 1-3, R, RBI, BB; Wade Cozart, 2-3, 3RBI, BB; Brock Wright, 0-2, BB; Connor Roberson, 1-4, RBI; Ricardo Herrera, 1-2, R, BB; Mike Davis, 1-1, 4R, 2BB; (11 Total Hits); Extra base hits: 2B’s EZ Lopez, 2, Wade Cozart, 1; Stolen Bases: Mike Davis, Mitchell Espinda, Ricardo Herrera; WP Evan Ortiz, 5.2in-7H-9R-5ER-BB-4Ks; Eloy Lopez, 1.1in-0H-0R-0ER-0BB-2Ks. (Game Changer Stats).