Rattlers continue losing streak

The Tucumcari baseball team failed to snap its long losing streak during a 10-4 loss in its season finale Thursday at district foe Sandia Prep, but the Rattlers’ coach saw encouraging things that might lead to improvement next year.

The game was tied 1-1 through three innings until the Sundevils (10-14 overall, 7-5 in district play) rallied for four runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the fourth. The Rattlers (1-21, 0-12) rallied for three runs in the seventh before the game ended.

Alijah Jimenez went 3-for-3 and Ryan Birch drove in two runs for the Rattlers, who lost their last 19 games. But coach Dwayne Roberts said the loss Thursday was much more enjoyable than the others.

“The boys played the best game of the season,” he said. “We hit well but stranded a lot of guys. We had a few errors in the fourth that cost us runs, and that pretty much was the game.

“But it was nice to go a full game. The boys had fun and were enthusiastic. If we’d played like that all year, it would have been all right. When you’re in the game, it brings out a lot more positive attitudes. They’re good, young guys with good attitudes. We didn’t have the (bad) stuff we had in the dugout earlier. They just played baseball, and it was nice.”

On April 30, the Rattlers managed just three hits during a 10-0 loss at New Mexico Military Institute (18-8, 8-4), which finished second in Class 3A, District 4/5. East Mountain (19-7) won the district crown with a 10-2 record. MaxPreps.com ranks NMMI and East Mountain in the top five in the 3A rankings.

Floyd 11, Logan 10

Floyd fended off a late rally by Logan to earn an 11-10 district victory on April 29.

After a three-run sixth-inning by the Broncos to take an 11-8 lead, Logan responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to make it a one-run game.

Kyle Hamilton led the Longhorns with a 2-for-4 day with a double and three RBI.

Floyd improved to 9-7 overall and in district play for the week.

Logan defeated the Tucumcari junior varsity 16-15 during a game Friday. Logan finished the week with a 5-12 record overall and 3-12 in Class 1A, District 2.

Floyd 27-23, Grady 13-7

Not even Grady/San Jon ace Chisum Rush could quiet the Floyd’s bats when it swept a district doubleheader Friday at Grady.

Rush struck out seven in the first game against Floyd, running his Class 1A-leading total to 94. But Floyd scored 10 runs in the fourth and 11 in the fifth to put a 6-5 game out of reach.

In the nightcap, Floyd seized control by leading 12-0 after three innings.

Melrose 14, Grady/San Jon 7

The Bronchos took it on the chin during a 14-7 loss at Melrose on April 29.

Melrose improved to 5-11 overall and 5-10 in district play during the week.