Rattlers drop four more games

The Tucumcari baseball team dropped two more home doubleheaders to district foes NMMI and East Mountain last week, extending its losing streak to 11 games.

On Saturday, a lack of pitching depth bedeviled the Rattlers (1-13, 0-6 in district play) during losses of 19-5 and 22-0 to New Mexico Military Institute. Tucumcari's hurlers walked 18 batters and hit eight more with pitches during the twinbill.

In both games, Tucumcari started promisingly, with starting pitchers Ryan Birch and EJ Martinez trailing just 5-4 and 4-0 respectively before they had to be replaced with relievers because of mounting pitch counts. Subsequent relievers couldn't get outs, leading to big innings for the Colts (15-4, 5-2).

"We're not deep with pitchers," Tucumcari coach Dwayne Roberts said. "It hurt me today. That's the beast we're dealing with."

Tucumcari also committed eight errors during the two games.

What also irritated Roberts was his players laughing in the dugout during the second loss Saturday. He implored his team during a huddle after the game to take its performance problems more seriously.

"You can't be happy with getting beat 22-0, day in and day out, and having a good time," he said. "It's no fun. I don't get it."

The Rattlers scored two in the first inning to begin the opener. George Gutierrez doubled, Joey Dysart walked, and Isaac Arias scored them with a single.

Tucumcari added two runs in the third when Dysart reached base on an error and Arias hit a single the Colts misplayed twice. Both scored, reducing the gap to 5-4.

But NMMI scored five runs in the fourth and nine in the fifth to end the game on the 10-run mercy rule. The Colts scored 19 runs on just 11 hits.

In the second game, NMMI scored four in the opening inning on three hits, a walk and an error. The 4-0 score held until the third, when Martinez was lifted in mid-inning for a reliever because of his pitch count. The Colts scored six runs after Martinez left, then added seven in the fourth and five in the fifth.

Meanwhile, NMMI starter Alejandro Lopez no-hit the Rattlers through four innings, allowing one batter to reach base when he hit Andrew Casteel with a pitch with two out. Casteel stole a base but was left stranded at second when the next batter struck out. Lopez fanned seven, including six in a row.

Against NMMI reliever Alejando Barcenas in the fifth, the Rattlers mounted a semblance of a rally when Johnathan Blea walked and Ayden Lusk singled with two out. The game ended on a failed steal attempt at third.

On April 9, Tucumcari fell to East Mountain 25-3 and 16-3 in a conference doubleheader. The Rattlers were missing five starters that day for various reasons, including several playing with the golf team at a tournament in Ruidoso.

"We had to play a bunch of young guys to see whether they can step up," Roberts said. "We're still looking for answers."

Tucumcari committed 10 errors on the day, but the Timberwolves (9-5, 3-0) also pounded a total of 36 hits.

In the first game, East Mountain seized control with 12 runs in the second inning on 10 hits, one error, one walk and one hit batter.

Tucumcari didn't score until the fourth. Mark Padilla singled, stole two bases and scored on a Jesus Ramos' groundout.

In the fifth, the Rattlers scored twice. Martinez singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch. Casteel walked, advanced to third on a wild pitch and an error, then scored on Padilla's single.

In the second game, East Mountain led 9-0 after two innings and added seven in the fifth.

Tucumcari scored its three runs in the fifth, all with two outs. East Mountain committed three errors during the inning, and Jackson Rogers delivered a two-run single.

Elida 3-19-29, Grady 2-2-10

The Grady-San Jon baseball team dropped a doubleheader Friday at Elida, but not without Bronchos starting pitcher Chisum Rush giving his team a fighting chance in one of the games.

During the 3-2 loss, Rush struck out 11 batters and give up no earned runs.

"Chisum dominated their entire lineup," Grady coach Jared Piepkorn said. "They reached base every time on errors. We couldn't throw the ball or catch the ball."

This season, Rush has struck out 60 batters in 25 innings.

During the 19-2 loss Friday, Piepkorn said Tanner Phillips lasted three innings in the third pitching start of his career.

"We hit the ball hard all day – unfortunately it was right to someone too many times," Piepkorn said.

The 29-10 loss occurred at Grady on April 9.

Grady-San Jon finished the week at 2-7. Elida improved to 8-4.

Dora 17-14, Logan 1-5

Grady 9, Logan 3

Logan suffered three losses last week, including one to area rival Grady-San Jon and its ace pitcher, Rush.

Rush struck out 14 and hit a two-run homer during the game April 8.

"Chisum took an inning to find his groove, gave up three runs in the first," Piepkorn said. "But after that, he came on really strong."

"He's tough," Logan coach Kyle Griffiths said of Rush. "He pitched all but the last out."

Nic Richardson also hit a homer for the Bronchos.

In the first game Friday against Dora, Logan kept it close until it allowed six runs in the seventh.

Wyatt Wright and Park Strong each went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Longhorns.

In the second game Friday, Logan faltered again in the late innings with 10 runs allowed in the fifth.

Dante Sanchez went 2-for-2 in a game where the Longhorns totaled just three hits.

Logan fell to 2-7. Dora improved to 5-2.