Logan softball makes first trip to state

The Logan softball team won its play-in game 10-9 over McCurdy in extra innings in the Class 1A/2A NMAA State Softball Championships at Rio Rancho but lost to eventual state runner-up Eunice and Santa Rosa.

During the Wednesday morning play-in game against eighth-seeded McCurdy, the ninth-seeded Lady Longhorns had a 9-6 lead in the top of the sixth inning. The Bobcats rallied for three runs in the final two frames to tie it and send it into extra innings. Logan scored a run in the eighth and held McCurdy scoreless to secure the program’s first state tournament victory.

“That first win was a sweet victory I’ll cherish forever, as will the girls,” Logan coach Suzanne Byrd said.

The Lady Longhorns lost their subsequent game 14-3 Wednesday afternoon to top-seeded Eunice (24-7). Logan then fell in the consolation round Thursday morning to fourth-seeded Santa Rosa 16-3.

Logan finished the season with an 11-12 record.

“This was our first-ever appearance at the state tournament, so just getting there made history for our team,” Byrd said. “We had six seniors that helped us get there, but they were unable to go because of a scheduling conflict with their senior trip. So we took a younger team that really stepped up and played with all heart. This same team will be coming back next year, and we expect to do even better.”

No. 2 seed Loving (20-6) won the state title by defeating Eunice 11-1 and 16-4 on consecutive days.