Rattlers defeat Clayton

The Rattlers baseball team defeated Clayton Tuesday at Clayton, 12-2 and 17-4.

The win brings the Rattlers to 4-2 in district, and 15-4, overall, said baseball coach Tony Alarcon.

Highlights from Clayton, according to Alarcon, included:

• Jake Martinez, winning pitcher in the first game

• Andrez Apodaca, winning pitcher in the second game

• Third baseman, senior Andre DeBord, had a solid defensive game.

• Jordan Maestas hit a deep solo homerun that went over the scoreboard.

The Clayton win comes on the heels of an April 23 loss to Texico on their home field, where the Rattlers succumbed 19-9 and 20-9.

The team’s next  district game is a 4 p.m. Tuesday doubleheader against Texico at Tucumcari.

“We  have to sweep them on Tuesday to become tied for first place in the district,” Alarcon said.

The other scenario, is that if the team winds up with a split or looses both games, the Rattlers will play in the regional tournament that will be hosted by Tucumcari on May 6.

In that case, the Rattlers enter the tournament with a bye, and will play the winner of an expected matchup between Navajo Prep and either Pecos or Penasco.