Dexter stymies Lady Rattlers

Tucumcari's softball team managed just five hits during an 8-0 district loss Thursday at state-ranked Dexter.

The Lady Rattlers trailed 3-0 through four innings, and the Lady Demons scored five in the fifth to seize control.

Haisley Huffman went 2-for-3 with two doubles for Tucumcari. Alexis Ramirez, Angel Vasquez and July Lafferty also hit singles for the Lady Rattlers.

Tucumcari didn't have many other opportunities against Dexter eighth-grade pitcher Kaylonie Nevarez, who walked one batter and struck out 12.

"I truly thought we could have beat them," Tucumcari coach CJ Oglesby said. "We had four errors that scored them four runs. Mia (Estrada) against pitched a heck of a game, giving us a chance. We just couldn't hit their ace."

The Lady Demons, meanwhile, totaled 19 hits. Dexter is ranked third in Class 3A by MaxPreps.com.

Dexter improved to 12-7 overall and 4-0 in district play.

Tucumcari fell to 6-5, 1-2.

Estancia 14, Tucumcari 4

Estancia pitcher Jhenna Valencia stifled Tucumcari's offense, striking out nine Lady Rattlers during a 14-4 non-district victory in five innings last Tuesday.

Valencia allowed three earned runs and four hits, walking seven. Her riseball repeatedly got her out of jams.

Caylee Benavidez drove in a run and scored a run. Haisley Huffman hit a triple with an RBI. Amaya Roybal also hit a double and drove in a run.

Benavidez also provided a defensive highlight. The left fielder scooped up a single with two out and threw out an Estancia runner trying to score from second. Roybal made the tag to end the inning.

Tucumcari kept the game close until the fifth, when Estancia scored nine runs.

Estancia, ranked fourth in Class 1A/2A by MaxPreps.com, improved to 13-2.