Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari starting pitcher Mireya Estrada winds up against Clayton during the first game of a home doubleheader March 15. Estrada won both games in the Lady Rattlers' sweep.
The Tucumcari girls softball team salvaged a so-so showing during the Santa Rosa Tournament with a 24-5 victory Saturday over Estancia after two narrow defeats.
The Lady Rattlers (3-3), which won three of five last week, lost a 16-13 decision Thursday against Mora and fell 15-12 to Dora on Friday.
Against Estancia, Tucumcari scored nine runs in the first inning and 19 in the second to seize control. The game ended after three innings due to the mercy rule.
During the Dora game, Tucumcari coach CJ Oglesby said two defensive lapses in a five-run third inning and erratic hitting contributed to the Lady Rattlers' loss.
Against Mora, both teams played despite temperatures in the upper 30s, rain and wind gusts of 30 mph.
"In all my years of playing and coaching, I have never played in weather like that," Oglesby said. "There were times I thought the girls would fold in that cold game, but they kept it up for two hours. I'm very proud of the heart and determination these girls continue to show.
"If not for the ump's calling strikes that hit the plate, we would have got a couple more runs across the plate," he added. "Asked the ump why, and he said he had to get the game out of the weather somehow."
Oglesby said shortstop Alexus Lafferty "continues to hit and play the field very well." She went 9-for-13 during the tournament with four stolen bases, a home run, a triple and three RBI.
Leadoff batter Harley McKinney went 9-for-12 during the tournament with 10 stolen bases and three RBI.
Oglesby also praised sophomore pitcher Mireya Estrada, who started all three games.
"Couldn't ask for any more from this girl; she has improved remarkably," he said. "Ever since last year, she has wanted the starting job, and she has improved with her performances. Just need our defense to help out here."
Tucumcari 16, Clayton 1
Tucumcari 22, Clayton 3
Tucumcari swept a doubleheader by 16-1 and 22-3 scores from Clayton in the Lady Rattlers' home opener March 15, with both games shortened by the mercy rule.
Estrada started both games. Challenging the Yellowjacket hitters, in six innings she allowed six hits, walked two and struck out 11.
Oglesby said Estrada missed the previous week's season-opening game at Raton due to disciplinary reasons, and she came motivated at her team's home opener.
"Today, I think it put a fire under her, and she came out to pitch and wanted to prove herself," he said. "I'm glad she did. She comes to practice to bust her (butt) every day."
Sophomore catcher Amaya Infante also proved her worth by limiting wild pitches and passed balls. She also took charge in keeping Clayton baserunners from taking big leads off the bag.
"She's a captain for a reason," Oglesby said. "She speaks up in practice, and they listen to her. She gets them going."
Meanwhile, Clayton pitchers Alexa Vigil and Heaven McCord couldn't find the plate in either game. They combined for 29 walks, six hit batters and a flurry of wild pitches and passed balls that let the aggressive Lady Rattler baserunners advance almost at will.
Lafferty scored six runs and drove in three with a double and a triple during the two games while anchoring the infield defense at shortstop.
"There's been a lot of improvement from all the girls" from the previous game, Oglesby said. "I have 17 players on the varsity roster, and all of them can get in there and play. They played serious all the way through instead of playing down to (Clayton's) level."
