Photo Courtesy of Shannon Aragon
The battle for the state softball championship in New Mexico is one of the most chaotic in any sport. With a double elimination format and multiple paths to the championship game, teams have to work extra hard to claim the ultimate prize. But the simplest path is to just continue to win and advance, something both Robertson and West Las Vegas did this past weekend as they are among the last four teams left standing on the championship path.
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Aragon
No. 5 Robertson advanced by taking down No. 12 seed Wingate 15-2, and upsetting No. 4 seed St. Michael’s on their home field to advance to this week’s championship round two.
No. 3 West Las Vegas advanced by defeating No. 6 seed Navajo Prep 18-0 at West’s home field.
Robertson will take on No. 1 seed Dexter on Wednesday morning, while West Las Vegas will take on No. 2 seed Cobre at the same time.
If the Lady Dons and Lady Cardinals win those matchups, they will face each other with a spot in the championship game on the line. If they lose at any point this week, they will be dropped to the consolation bracket, where they will face “do or die” matchups as they attempt to earn the other spot in the championship game.
The championship is set to take place Friday at noon, with a second game scheduled for 4 p.m. if the team from the consolation bracket wins the first championship game.
As she has for much of the season, West Las Vegas freshman Malie Satete starred in the opening round for the Lady Dons. She pitched two innings and struck out four batters in shutout fashion, while hitting a home run as well at the plate. She also drew three walks, scored three runs and stole a base.
Seniors Alexis Pacheco and Aliana Otero also had multiple hits in the game, as did junior Annabelle Ulibarri.
Junior Tyra Horner and Otero had four RBI each.
For the Lady Cardinals, senior Ariana Sanchez hit a home run in the opening game against Wingate, while also throwing two shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Fellow senior Kylee Griego threw three innings in the game, giving up just one run and also striking out five.
In the second game against St. Michael’s, Sanchez starred inside the pitcher’s circle for the lady Cardinals, striking out 11 batters in seven innings of work, doing just enough to allow her offense a chance to help the team advance, and they did.
Griego drove in two runs, while Amor Allen, Jayden Ortega, Sarai Allen and Jade Vigil each drove in a run apiece.