The Portales High softball team had little trouble getting runners on base. Getting them home was the problem, as second-seeded St. Michael’s handed Portales a 3-0 loss in the second round of the Class 3A state softball tournament.

Portales (16-12), last year’s state runnerup, faces Hope Christian in a 10 a.m. losers bracket game at Maag Field. The seventh-seeded Rams defeated Hatch Valley 7-2 in the opening round of the 16-team, double elimination tournament.

“We couldn’t get anyone across the plate,” Portales coach Robbie Crowley said. “When you leave 10 runners on, it is tough to win a game. We just couldn’t get a hit when we need a hit.”

The Lady Horsemen got to starter Amanda Marquez early, with five hits and three runs — two earned — in the first three innings.

LeAnne Blaeser took the mound the in fourth, and pitched three innings of no-hit relief to keep Portales in the game. The Rams finished with nine hits, but could never push a runner across.

“We left the bases loaded once,” Crowley said, “(and) two runners on twice If I remember.”

Portales 7, Hatch Valley 2

Marquez pitched a five-hitter and held down the Bears as Portales overcame early butterflies.

Crowley said she had to call a timeout to talk the team in the fourth inning when the Lady Rams got in a jam.

“After that they settled down, and started having fun,” Crowley said. “I think their ready to play now, They’re young, but they responded really well.”

Marquez struck out 10 and walked two for the Lady Rams, who put the game on ice with four in the fifth.

Class 3A State Tournament

At Las Cruces

First Round

Portales 7, Hatch 2

Portales 020 140 0 — 7 6 2

Hatch 100 100 0 — 2 5 0

Leading hitters — Portales: Cynthia Armijo 1-3, Amanda Marquez 1-4. Hatch: Alexandra Aguirre 2-3. WP — Amanda Marquez (10SO, 2BB, 5H). LP — Hannah Barnes

Second Round

St. Michael’s 3, Portales 0

Portales    000 000 0 — 0 9 0

St. Michael’s    102 000 X — 3 5 0

Leading hitters- St Michael’s: Kayla Herrera 2-3, Alexa Chanvez 2-3.  Portales: LeAnne Blaeser 2-4, Sorina Flores 2-3, Cynthia Armijo 1-3.

WP - Emily Shultz

LP - Amanda Marquez (3in, 5H) LeAnne Blaeser (3in)