Rattler baseball to face Grady

The Tucumcari Rattlers varsity baseball team will play Thursday against the Grady Bronchos in its second home game of the season.

“We will be playing our fourth game of the season, but technically we still have to finish our first game,” said Dwayne Roberts, Rattlers head coach.

Roberts said the Rattlers’ first game of the season was called in the sixth inning due to the time limit, giving the Rattlers an 11-9 win over the Melrose Buffaloes March 13 at Melrose. He said later he was contacted by the New Mexico Athletics Association and informed the last inning would have to be played.

That game is scheduled to be played on March 23 at Melrose.

The Rattlers played a double header against Mora on Tuesday at Tucumcari. The results of those games were not available before publication.

Roberts said he is excited about the team’s potential.

“We have a good pitching rotation, several starters returning and our younger players are eager to prove themselves,” Roberts said. “I think we can make a deep run this year.”

Roberts said the team lost two starters last year, Billy Sandoval (outfielder, relief pitcher) and Zach Martinez (outfielder, pitcher). He said the team has been working on rotations to see who can best fill those positions on offense and defense.

Roberts said there are 25 players who have come out to play this season. He said the varsity roster will have 15 players and the junior varsity 10 players.

Roberts said the Rattlers have a scheduled game Friday at Pecos that may be rescheduled.

Game time: 4 p.m. Thursday at Tucumcari