Serving the High Plains

Lady Rattlers softball team hoping for win

The Tucumcari Lady Rattlers softball team need a win Thursday against East Mountain for a third place tie in district standing.

QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia

The pitch passes by the Lady Hawks batter for a strike during Friday's district softball game where the Lady Rattlers won 16-12.

The (3-10) (1-4) Lady Rattlers held off a late game rally by the Laguna Acoma Lady Hawks to earn their first District 5 2A win of the season.

The team needs to keep working on and following through on the fundamentals they have been learning throughout the season, said Lawrence Sena, Lady Rattlers head coach.

There was a break down in those fundamentals leading to errors which erased an 11 point lead during Friday's 16-12 win over the (8-11) (3-2) Lady Hawks.

The important thing is that I stay positive and confident in those situations where the game comes so close, said Alexandria Gutierrez, Lady Rattlers pitcher.

Gutierrez pitched for four and a half innings before being relieved by Sena. She said the stress of possibly loosing the game which her teammates fought so hard for had affected her confidence on the mound.

"I have to play with the same kind of confidence I have in my team and I hope they have in me," Gutierrez said.

Sena said a win on Thursday will put them in a third place tie with the Lady Timberwolves. He said while the team is focused on district contention they first have to play a double header make up game.

The Lady Rattlers will play the (12-7) (4-3) Pecos Lady Panthers in Santa Rosa to make up a game rescheduled due to weather earlier in the season.

"We've got to play," Sena said. "It will be tough playing two days in a row, though the added field time can work to our advantage."

The Lady Rattlers final games of the regular season

3 p.m., vs Pecos at Santa Rosa (DH)

4 p.m., vs East Mountain