The 2026 season for the Santa Fe Indian School baseball team is history in the making.

The Braves, who finished at the bottom of District 2-3A last year, captured their first-ever district crown in Class 3A on Saturday with a win at West Las Vegas. Now, the determined squad is looking to make some more noise as the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A state tournament.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, SFIS head coach Jude Torres joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Braves’ turnaround and their approach to the postseason.

Torres shares how a focus on sound defense and pitching have propelled the program to new heights. He also talks about how the tight-knit squad plays as a brotherhood, saying “some seasons you can just feel something special, and this season there’s something special with this group.”

In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the upcoming state baseball and softball tournaments. They end by talking a bit about the upheaval at New Mexico Highlands.

The 2026 season for the Santa Fe Indian School baseball team is history in the making.
The Braves, who finished at the bottom of District 2-3A last year, captured their first-ever district crown in Class 3A on Saturday with a win at West Las Vegas. Now, the determined squad is looking to make some more noise as the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A state tournament.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, SFIS head coach Jude Torres joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Braves&rsquo; turnaround and their approach to the postseason.
Torres shares how a focus on sound defense and pitching have propelled the program to new heights. He also talks about how the tight-knit squad plays as a brotherhood, saying &ldquo;some seasons you can just feel something special, and this season there&rsquo;s something special with this group.&rdquo;
In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the upcoming state baseball and softball tournaments. They end by talking a bit about the upheaval at New Mexico Highlands.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.   
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp; The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.  

The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Hosted by award-winning sports scribes Will Webber and James Barron, The New Mexican Sports Den podcast provides coverage of the local sports scene in Northern New Mexico with a focus on prep sports and the University of New Mexico Lobos. Dialed into the New Mexico sports landscape for decades, Will and James share their insight on the latest developments from season to season. They also welcome guests for lively and colorful conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James is a production of&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican.

Santa Fe Indian School baseball coach Jude Torres reflects on Braves' first-ever District 2-3A title

The celebratory parade in Las Vegas, N.M., had to be put on a hold for a day when the bus of the Class 3A softball champion West Las Vegas Lady Dons broke down in the hours following their 2-1 victory over Cobre in Friday’s final. The misfortune couldn’t spoil their elation from winning their second title in three years, and the Lady Dons broke out in a karaoke session outside of a restaurant while waiting for a new bus.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, West Las Vegas coach Julie Esquibel said her players are still riding high after capturing another title. She spoke to Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the program’s 73-13 run over the past three years, including a 24-4 record in 2026.

In her second year coaching the Lady Dons, Esquibel said she prioritized building team chemistry. In addition to winning another Class 3A championship, she said it’s moments such as the impromptu karaoke session that her players will remember forever.

The mother of sophomore sensation Malie “Moogie” Satete, who broke the state’s home run record as an eighth-grader, Esquibel also talks about her daughter’s drive, her busy sports schedule and the first time she blasted a home run.

In the second segment, the guys touch briefly on the upcoming season for the Santa Fe Fuego and share some of their most memorable moments from the end of the 2025-26 high school sports season.

The celebratory parade in Las Vegas, N.M., had to be put on a hold for a day when the bus of the Class 3A softball champion West Las Vegas Lady Dons broke down in the hours following their 2-1 victory over Cobre in Friday&rsquo;s final. The misfortune couldn&rsquo;t spoil their elation from winning their second title in three years, and the Lady Dons broke out in a karaoke session outside of a restaurant while waiting for a new bus.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, West Las Vegas coach Julie Esquibel said her players are still riding high after capturing another title. She spoke to&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the program&rsquo;s 73-13 run over the past three years, including a 24-4 record in 2026.
In her second year coaching the Lady Dons, Esquibel said she prioritized building team chemistry. In addition to winning another Class 3A championship, she said it&rsquo;s moments such as the impromptu karaoke session that her players will remember forever.
The mother of sophomore sensation Malie &ldquo;Moogie&rdquo; Satete, who broke the state&rsquo;s home run record as an eighth-grader, Esquibel also talks about her daughter&rsquo;s drive, her busy sports schedule and the first time she blasted a home run.
In the second segment, the guys touch briefly on the upcoming season for the Santa Fe Fuego and share some of their most memorable moments from the end of the 2025-26 high school sports season.

A broken bus, karaoke and a blue trophy: West Las Vegas softball coach reflects on team's title run

It’s the last week of spring sports and much remains to be decided, with state softball, baseball and large school track and field squads competing to lift a blue trophy. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are looking not blue but red, with the smoldering sun melting their brains and crisping their skin as they cover all the action.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will reports from Isotopes Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández is on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He got the chance to speak with Hernández before Wednesday night’s game against the Isotopes and shares what the charismatic fan favorite had to say.

James then gets into the prep action he’s seen this week, starting with slow play at state golf in Elephant Butte. He then covers what he saw Wednesday at state softball, where St. Michael’s and West Las Vegas took the stage.

The guys continued into state baseball, previewing some of the action ahead involving Santa Fe Indian School, St. Mike’s and West Las Vegas.

In the second segment, attention turns to college sports. Will shares his thoughts on University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Eric Olen’s big extension with the Lobos after a successful first year at the helm. Then the guys talk about the turmoil at New Mexico Highlands, which is experiencing a major shake-up with top administrators.

It&rsquo;s the last week of spring sports and much remains to be decided, with state softball, baseball and large school track and field squads competing to lift a blue trophy.&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are looking not blue but red, with the smoldering sun melting their brains and crisping their skin as they cover all the action.
In the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast, Will reports from Isotopes Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers&rsquo; Kik&eacute; Hern&aacute;ndez is on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He got the chance to speak with Hern&aacute;ndez before Wednesday night&rsquo;s game against the Isotopes and shares what the charismatic fan favorite had to say.
James then gets into the prep action he&rsquo;s seen this week, starting with slow play at state golf in Elephant Butte. He then covers what he saw Wednesday at state softball, where St. Michael&rsquo;s and West Las Vegas took the stage.
The guys continued into state baseball, previewing some of the action ahead involving Santa Fe Indian School, St. Mike&rsquo;s and West Las Vegas.
In the second segment, attention turns to college sports. Will shares his thoughts on University of New Mexico men&rsquo;s basketball coach Eric Olen&rsquo;s big extension with the Lobos after a successful first year at the helm. Then the guys talk about the turmoil at New Mexico Highlands, which is experiencing a major shake-up with top administrators.

Spring sports teams vie for titles, Kiké Hernández visits ABQ and Eric Olen signs an extension

In a decade and a half with the West Las Vegas Dons baseball team, Sal Archuleta has seen the program go from an afterthought in its district to a title contender. Now in his fourth season as head coach, Archuleta has the Dons in the hunt for their first district title in more than four decades.

Archuleta joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron in the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast to talk about his team’s strong season and how it is approaching a challenging final week of the regular season that includes a game against St. Michael’s and a crucial doubleheader against district leader Santa Fe Indian School.

Archuleta talks about his squad’s strong pitching rotation and its lineup that’s been hitting at a blistering rate. He also shares what it’s taken to develop a winning mentality within the program. 

The second segment begins with Will’s Movie Reviews, where he offers his negative feelings about Project Hail Mary and recommends reading the book instead. 

Will has a more positive take about the University of New Mexico’s football team is shaping up after watching the Lobos’ recent spring game, saying they will have one of the most talented rosters in the Mountain West. 

The guys also chat about the different vibes between attending New Mexico United and Albuquerque Isotopes games at Isotopes Park.

In a decade and a half with the West Las Vegas Dons baseball team, Sal Archuleta has seen the program go from an afterthought in its district to a title contender. Now in his fourth season as head coach, Archuleta has the Dons in the hunt for their first district title in more than four decades.
Archuleta joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron in the latest episode of &ldquo;The Sports Den&rdquo; podcast to talk about his team&rsquo;s strong season and how it is approaching a challenging final week of the regular season that includes a game against St. Michael&rsquo;s and a crucial doubleheader against district leader Santa Fe Indian School.
Archuleta talks about his squad&rsquo;s strong pitching rotation and its lineup that&rsquo;s been hitting at a blistering rate. He also shares what it&rsquo;s taken to develop a winning mentality within the program.&nbsp;
The second segment begins with Will&rsquo;s Movie Reviews, where he offers his negative feelings about Project Hail Mary and recommends reading the book instead.&nbsp;
Will has a more positive take about the University of New Mexico&rsquo;s football team is shaping up after watching the Lobos&rsquo; recent spring game, saying they will have one of the most talented rosters in the Mountain West.&nbsp;
The guys also chat about the different vibes between attending New Mexico United and Albuquerque Isotopes games at Isotopes Park.

Santa Fe Indian School baseball coach Jude Torres reflects on Braves' first-ever District 2-3A title

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