Still hobbled by recent surgery, RRHS baseball coach Ron Murphy watches post-game BP Tuesday afternoon. Murphy stood in the third-base coach’s box during the Rams’ win over Manzano earlier. (Herron photo)

Here are RRHS baseball coach Ron Murphy’s responses to questions posed him by the Observer:

  • Highlights from 2021 season? Undefeated district champs and undefeated regular season.
  • Worst nightmare(s) of 2021 season? None.
  • Top returning players for 2022? Devon Alvarado, Dominic Priddy, Josh Boyer, Ryan Casados, Elijah Castenada, Noah Braunschweiger.
  • Varsity newcomers? Kai Fitak, Seth Lee, Vascon Smith, Casen Savage, Nick Di Gregerio,
  •                      Izzy Tafoya, Bryan Vasquez, Jason Parker.
  • Who’s the first guy at practice and the last guy to leave? Devon Alvarado.
  • Team you face that if you beat, you know it’ll be a good season? Americas or Pebble Hills of El Paso .
  • Who’s the front-runner or pre-season favorite in District 1-5A? Everybody but us!
  • For my team to get to the 5A state championship game, we need to stay healthy and throw strikes! (Starting catcher Josh Boyer broke two fingers in Feb. 12 scrimmage, and is out 4-6 weeks.)
  • What do you hear yourself saying to your players, year after year? The word “Compete ” and “It’s baseball weather ” no matter the weather outside.
  • What’s the most-important skill you hope your players have? The will to get better everyday on and off the field!
  • Assistant coaches/roles: David Gomez (varsity assistant and pitching coach), Gino Satriana (varsity assistant), Josh LaCombe (junior varsity head coach), Mario Tafoya (C-team head coach).

Here’s the Rams’ schedule for the 2022 season:

RIO RANCHO BASEBALL 2022

DATE             OPPONENT                         TIME

Feb. 24          Horizon                                  W, 10-1

Pebble Hills                           W, 10-0

25             Americas                               L, 6-3

East Lake                              W, 14-2

26              Coronado                              W, 9-0

March  1         MANZANO                            W, 6-0

3           Rio Grande                            6 p.m.

10-12        NM Invite/Las Cruces          TBA

15-19         APS Metro                             TBA

24-26            Sal Puentes Tourney          TBA

29             ATRISCO HERITAGE*       6 p.m.

April  5            CIBOLA*                                6 p.m.

8             Cleveland*                            6 p.m.

12              VOLCANO VISTA*              6 p.m.

15              Atrisco Heritage*                  4 p.m.

22              Cibola*                                   4 p.m.

26               CLEVELAND*                      6 p.m.

29               Volcano Vista*                      4 p.m.

May 5-6          First round/State                  TBD

(* denotes District 1-5A game. Home games in CAPS.)