Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari’s baseball team still was looking for its first district win since 2018 after a doubleheader loss Saturday against Ruidoso.
The Warriors won the first game 11-2, then dominated in the nightcap by a 19-0 score.
Ruidoso improved to 8-7 overall and remained in contention for the district title with a 6-3 mark. The Warriors, ranked ninth in Class 3A by MaxPreps.com, were only a half-game or one game behind Sandia Prep, East Mountain and New Mexico Military Institute in the district standings for first place.
Tucumcari fell to 4-13, 0-9.
Tucumcari coach George Montano said his team needed more hits in critical situations, nothing the Rattlers left nine runners on base in the first game and seven in the second.
“We’re leaving too many runners on base,” he said. “Offensively, we’re struggling to move runners.
“Defensively, we’ve minimized the errors. Boys are in a good rhythm,” he added.
East Mountain 20, Tucumcari 0
East Mountain 14, Tucumcari 3
State-ranked East Mountain swept a district doubleheader from visiting Tucumcari by scores of 20-0 and 14-3 last Tuesday.
In the opener, the Rattlers managed just five hits and three walks off two Timberwolves pitchers. The game was shortened to five innings by the mercy rule.
Nick Goen notched the only extra-base hit for Tucumcari, a double. Kamren Apodaca, who allowed 13 hits and five walks in three innings, suffered the loss. Goen pitched one inning of relief, allowing one earned run.
In the second game, the Rattlers had a better offensive showing and briefly had a 3-2 lead before the Timberwolves took control with three runs in the second, three in the third and six in the fourth inning.
Apodaca and Jordan Rincones each hit a double and drove in a run for the Rattlers. Goen went 3-for-3 at the plate and scored a run.
Oscar Angel, who allowed 14 hits, three walks and eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, suffered the loss.
Tucumcari damaged its chances for a victory with nine fielding errors.
Two East Mountain pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and just six hits allowed in the five-inning game.
East Mountain, rated eighth in Class 3A by MaxPreps.com, improved to 11-6, 6-2.