The Lady Rattlers will open their first season of fast pitch softball Thursday against the Clovis Wildcats C-team in Clovis.

In preparation, they have been working on the basics such as hitting, base coverage and fielding the ball.

The team is excited and anxious to play, said Lady Rattlers softball coach Donnie Garcia.

According to guidelines from the New Mexico Activities Association for start-up teams, the Lady Rattlers will play their first season as an independent team and are not allowed to participate in upcoming district play or the state tournament. Next year, the Lady Rattlers will be a NMAA sanctioned team and eligible to compete in post season play.

“They are a bit nervous with it being their first game ever, but they cannot wait to get out there and play,” Garcia said.

“I hope that we all can come together and play as a group on Thursday,” said sophomore Haley Valverde. “We know this first season is going to be tough but we are just going to have to work hard this year so we can be ready to compete next year.”

Lady Rattler fast pitch softball schedule
Clovis C-team 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. Thursday Clovis DH
Estancia 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday  Estancia DH
Clovis Jv Tournament TBA  March 21-22  Clovis
Dexter Invite  TBA  March 27-29  Dexter
East Mountain  1 p.m.- 3 p.m. April 5   Sandia Park DH
Portales Jv  3 p.m.- 5 p.m. April 8 Portales DH
Portales Jv 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. April 17 Tucumcari DH
Clovis C-team 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. April 21 Tucumcari DH
Pecos 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. April 24 Pecos DH

DH = double header