Rattlers' rally against Dexter falls short

Down by as many as seven runs, the Tucumcari baseball team made a game attempt at a comeback but fell short in a 15-12 district loss Saturday to Dexter.

Josh Griego went 4-for-5 for the Rattlers. Andrew Henderson-Clark, Johnathan Blea and Luis Archuleta each went 2-for-5. Tucumcari totaled 12 hits during the contest.

But, like in several games this season, Tucumcari’s bats were slow to get going. The Rattlers trailed 11-4 at one point before rallying to tie it. Dexter then responded with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to win it.

“We can be a dangerous team if we play like we did yesterday,” Tucumcari coach George Montano said Sunday. “We have the athletes. We just don’t start fast enough. We wait until the third or fourth inning to start hitting, and the game’s halfway over by that time.”

Montano said his team played well defensively. “(Dexter) got gap shots we couldn’t get to, but that’s part of the game.”

“We looked good,” he added. “I’ve told the boys to give yourself the chance, and you’ll be amazed what you all could do.”

Tucumcari fell to 1-17 overall and 1-10 in district play.

Dexter improved to 4-17, 3-7.

East Mountain 11,

Tucumcari 6

A seven-run first inning essentially was all East Mountain needed during an 11-6 district victory on April 19 over visiting Tucumcari.

The Rattlers scored in their first three innings, but the Timberwolves had stormed to an 11-4 lead by that time.

East Mountain totaled 12 hits, including five for extra bases. Three Timberwolves pitchers allowed eight hits, walked six and struck out 11 in seven innings.

East Mountain, ranked fifth in Class 3A, improved to 12-6 overall and 6-3 in District 4/5.