The NW 509 Stars survived a late rally to beat Albuquerque Baseball Academy 3‑2 in the second round of the 2026 Connie Mack World Series, securing a spot in the next round and setting up a clash with the Dulins Dodgers Americans.
First‑Inning Fireworks
The Stars exploded for three runs in the opening frame, capitalizing on a pair of early errors by the Academy. Caden Andreas opened the scoring, and Jackson Mott and Connor Moffitt added their names to the board before the first inning ended.
Starter Matthew Cook endured four innings on the mound, striking out four batters while walking four and surrendering four hits. His effort kept the Stars in control early on, but the Academy refused to go quietly.
A Late Surge and a timely replacement
Albuquerque rallied in the top of the fifth, plating two runs to narrow the gap and leave eleven runners on base throughout the game. The comeback attempt was halted when Dylan Croall was replaced by Ryan McMillin, who shut down the rally and preserved the lead.
The victory not only advances the Stars but also revives a historic narrative: a win over the Academy would mark the first time in more than a quarter‑century that a New Mexico team has won two straight games in the tournament’s opening bracket.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Stars will meet the Dulins Dodgers Americans, a matchup that promises another test of endurance and strategy. With a roster that includes Derrek Roe, Marshall Tomlinson, Anthony Knoll, Wyatt Tinker, Tanner Davis, Uriel Castro, Dean Ellison and Kade Aragon, the team hopes to translate early momentum into a deeper tournament run.