Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari shortstop Paige Moralez prepares to catch a pop fly during a softball game in April at Rattler Field. Moralez was one of five Lady Rattlers named to the all-district team and was voted her squad's Most Valuable Player.
The Tucumcari softball team boasted five players that earned all-district honors after a 17-5 campaign, the most successful season in the program's history.
Junior catcher Loren Chavez, junior pitcher Jayden Jimenez, junior shortstop Paige Moralez, senior center fielder Kalani French and junior left fielder Jasmine Jones were named to the first time in Class 3A, District 4/5.
Moralez also was named Most Valuable Player for the Lady Rattlers. Moralez tied for the team lead with three home runs and played strong infield defense.
Chavez hit three home runs and threw out 51 percent of stolen-base attempts. Jones hit at team-leading .573. French hit .367 with 25 stolen bases. Jimenez had a 12-5 record with a 4.11 earned run average and 57 strikeouts in 92 innings.
Logan (11-12) had four players earn all-district honors during the team's first-ever berth to the state tournament.
Senior Harlie Roach, junior Kesleah Shields, freshman Kyndall Ragland and senior Elizabeth Brown earned top honors in Class 1A/2A, District 7.
Roach hit .614, seven triples, two homers and 23 RBI - all leading the team. Shields hit .490 with a team-leading 10 doubles. Brown hit .452. Ragland hit .500 with a 6.60 ERA as a pitcher.