Sandia Prep tops Tucumcari in windy games

Yes, the Tucumcari baseball team did host district foe Sandia Prep on Saturday afternoon despite the wind.

It was clear early in the first game the Sundevils weren't used to playing in such chilly, blustery weather. But they adjusted and swept the doubleheader by scores of 19-6 and 14-7.

Sandia Prep, winners of six of eight, improved to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in district play.

Tucumcari fell to 3-8, 0-3.

Wind gusts on Saturday consistently measured more than 50 mph at Tucumcari Municipal Airport and temperatures struggled to rise into the 50s, prompting Quay County Little League to cancel its opening ceremonies and postpone nine games scheduled at the adjacent fields.

The wind made pitchers struggle with their control. Sandia Prep starting pitcher Ethan Dudley saw his cap fly off his head at least a half-dozen times during his follow-through. Fielders had trouble catching any sort of popup. The home-plate umpire called time when particularly nasty gusts kicked up billows of dust on the infield.

The Sundevils scored five runs in the first inning on two walks, a hit batter, a double and a couple of errors by the Ratters.

But the Rattlers responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning on two walks, a hit batter, two errors, an RBI groundout by Kamren Apodaca and an RBI single by Pat Garcia. Tucumcari trailed only 5-3.

After that, Sandia Prep settled down and scored in every inning. That included a home run in the third by Landon Hardcastle, whose drive into the gap rolled all the way to the wall.

Despite the Sundevils committing five errors during the game, they allowed only three more runs.

Tucumcari coach George Montano said his team's offense was too feeble to keep pace. The Rattlers had just seven hits, compared to 19 for the Sundevils.

"The wind was terrible, but that's no excuse," he said. "We're just not hitting enough. We need to score some more runs."

Nick Goen led the Rattlers with by going 3-for-3, including a triple and two RBI. Garcia went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.

Tucumcari starting pitcher Apodaca allowed eight earned runs in three innings. He walked four and struck out four. Reliever Goen allowed eight earned runs in three innings, walking three.

Bradley earned the win for Sandia Prep despite his control struggles. He allowed four earned runs in four innings. He walked four and struck out six. Reliever Lucas Ruelas allowed no earned runs and struck out three in two innings.

In the second game, the Sundevils scored in six of seven innings, amassing 14 hits and committing just one error in a 14-7 win. Sandia Prep led 11-2 over four innings.

The Rattlers committed seven errors, leading to four unearned runs, and totaled eight hits.

Goen again had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a triple and two RBI. Archuleta went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double. Juano Martinez also hit a triple for Tucumcari.

THS pitcher Josh Griego was mostly effective in the extreme conditions, allowing three earned runs in three innings and striking out four. Oscar Angel was roughed up for 11 runs (seven earned) in four innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Ruidoso 13, Tucumcari 0

The Rattlers managed just two hits during their district-opening 13-0 loss last Tuesday against visiting Ruidoso.

Ruidoso pitcher Carson Straton allowed two hits, two walks and struck out 10 in five innings. Apodaca and Archuleta had both of Tucumcari's hits, both singles.

THS pitchers Griego and Angel combined to allow seven earned runs agains the Warriors, who totaled 13 hits.

Ruidoso ended the week with an 8-4 record overall, 1-2 in district play. East Mountain swept the Warriors during a doubleheader on Saturday.