ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KTSM) — The Centennial High School softball team completed the feat of a perfect season on Saturday.
Centennial played its way to a dominant 10-1 win over La Cueva in the Class 5A championship game of the 2025 NMAA State Softball Championships at UNM’s Lobo Softball Field.
With the win on Saturday, Centennial softball captured its second consecutive state championship and finished its 2025 season with a 30-0 overall record.
“It feels amazing. We were a little shaky in the summer, but we had a lot of freshmen that needed to come up and it came together at the end.” Centennial senior pitcher Destiny Perez said post-game.
“It’s amazing honestly. Throughout the years, it’s been our hard work and just creating a bond with these girls. That’ll win you games.” Centennial senior shortstop Aaliyah Betancourt said post-game.
Centennial became the first high school softball team in the New Mexico Activities Association to go undefeated and win a state title since La Cueva went 28-0 and won the 6A state title in 2017.
Centennial’s Aaliyah Betancourt got Centennial rolling in the state final when she hit a two-run home run to left field in the first inning to put the Hawks in front 2-0.
After La Cueva made it a 2-1 game in the top of the third, Centennial responded with a run of its own. Destiny Perez had an RBI-single to extend Centennial’s lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Addie Moccia recorded a two-run single to put Centennial up 5-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, Centennial popped off for a five-run inning to go up 10-1.
Centennial took care of business in the top of the seventh to close out the game.
Centennial softball head coach Fernie Valles told KTSM post-game that he is officially retiring. Valles spent the last seven years coaching at Centennial.
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