Rattlers baseball team stays unbeaten

Late inning wins against Santa Rosa and Texico help to keep the Tucumcari Rattlers baseball team unbeaten in district play.

QCS photo: Thomas Garcia

Tucumcari Rattler Jordan Walker beats the throw to first base during Friday's 10-9 win over the Santa Rosa Lions.

"We need to stay focused in the games," said Tony Alarcon, Rattlers head coach.

Alarcon said the team's success this weekend was not without its faults. He said the mental errors allowed teams to overcome their leads or put them in a trailing situation.

"We should have had commanding wins over our opponents," Alarcon said. "Instead we got into situations where we had to fight for the win."

The weekend action for the (11-8) (5-0) Rattlers started as they edged the (8-7) (3-1) Lions, 10-9.

The Rattlers had a five run lead at the top of the sixth inning, though the Lions rallied with four runs and a walk with base loaded to take a 9-8 lead. Rattlers would tie it up the following inning and hold the Lions to no runs in the top of the seventh.

"We have to give it our all even if we have a lead," said Dillon Wood, Rattlers second baseman.

The Rattlers found themselves in similar situations on Saturday.

A shot to center field by Rattlers senior Jacob Montoya in the bottom of the eighth inning brought in the winning run for a 15-14 win over the (7-10) (0-4) Wolverines in the first game of a double header.

The Wolverines trailed 11-4 at the top of the fourth inning until a six run rally pulled them within one run of the Rattlers.

The Rattlers extended their lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

A three run rally and shut out of the Rattlers offense by the Wolverines in the seventh sent the game into extra innings.

In the second game, the Rattlers won 7-6 by overcoming a lead held by the Wolverines throughout the first five innings.

The Rattlers' next challenge will be a double header against the Lions Friday at Santa Rosa.

"The goal will be to play focused and aggressive throughout the game," Alarcon said.

Alarcon said the team needs to be consistent at bat and score throughout the game. He said on defense they must avoid errors, which lead to runs.

Game times:

Friday

4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Santa Rosa