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Senior softball team members honored

Wednesday was Senior Day for the Tucumcari girls softball team during their season finale, but it wasn't just this year's seniors who were honored.

Seven seniors from the 2020 squad, which didn't even get a chance to play because the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the spring sports season, were honored, as well.

Seven members from the 2020 team were honored with flowers and a small jar of soil from the batter's box of their home field, which soon will be redeveloped as part of a $3 million bond issue for the softball and baseball diamonds.

The jar contained a message that stated in part: "This dirt holds your laughter as tightly as it holds your frustration. Life goes on off of this dirty, but nothing can compare to the feeling you get while standing on it."

Many of those seniors also were part of a 2019 club that went 17-5 and was Tucumcari's most successful softball squad in school history.

Two seniors from the 2021 team - Felicity Lopez and Gracie Otero - also were honored after the doubleheader against Raton with a shadow box containing their jerseys.

Coach CJ Oglesby said it was "a must" to recognize the team from that aborted 2020 season.

"I wanted to honor them because they deserved it," he said. "I thought it'd also be good to show this current team that I care."

Lopez returned the favor, giving her coach a gift basket that contained his favorite snacks and a signed ball that was her first high-school home run.

"That really got to me," he said of Lopez's gift.

As for the games Wednesday, the Lady Rattlers fell 21-4 in the first game and lost the second 19-9.

Oglesby said he lost his starting shortstop, Sage Knapp, after a live drive struck her knee during the first game. He acknowledged his team was "flat" during the opener.

He said his Lady Rattlers hit and fielded much better during the second game, which included two RBI by Lopez.

The young and inexperienced Tucumcari team finished the season 3-14 overall.

"I'm really happy with their growth, despite COVID and the lack of a preseason," Oglesby said. "it was really good to see how much they improved."

Raton improved to 8-8.

Dexter 15, Tucumcari 0

Dexter 16, Tucumcari 1

The Lady Demons continued their hold onto first place in the District 4/5 standings by sweeping visiting Tucumcari on June 15.

Tucumcari dropped the opening game 15-0, then fell in the nightcap 16-1.

Oglesby said his team was "just outmatched" during the first game.

"Dexter threw in their stud pitcher, and we couldn't hit her," he said.

"The second game, I put in some players off the bench that have been hitting the ball in practice, and it showed," he said. "D'Naylie Rivera hit a rocket into right-center, scoring Haisley Huffman, who was hit by a pitch."

Initial starting pitcher Knapp was lifted for Mireya Estrada, who "did a wonderful job on the mound finishing the first game and second and finishing the second game."

Dexter improved to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in the district.

 
 
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