The Raton Lady Tiger softball team enjoyed a 19-6 regular season on the way to their fourth straight District title while going undefeated in District for the fourth time in a row and that earned them a #4 seed into the NM State Softball Championships and a first round bye.
In the quarterfinals on May 9th at Cleveland High School, the Lady Tigers were paired with the #5 seed Lady Hawks of Laguna Acoma, and things started off well for Raton as Camryn Mileta walked and stole second and third, before being brought home by Camryn, Stoecker, who hit a double. Raton’s lead was short-lived though, as the Lady Hawks had four consecutive hits in the second inning to score three and take a lead they would never give up going on to an 8 -3 win over Raton.
Raton’s Crystal Ortiz again tweaked her left shoulder during her first plate appearance and was limited on offense, but her right shoulder appeared to be fine as she struck out 8 Lady Hawks, whose damage was done by the bottom third of the order.
Raton was sent into the consolation bracket that afternoon and played #9 seed Lordsburg and it was the Lady Tiger team we’re used to seeing as they powered to a 12 – 2 win in five innings. Raton’s shortstop, Andie Ortega had a 3 for 4 day at the plate and Camryn Stoecker was 2 of 3 and scored three runs for Raton, who broke it open in the third inning by sending 10 to the plate and scoring six runs. Crystal Ortiz had 7 strikeouts for Raton.
Raton next played in the second consolation round on Thursday morning at Cibola Little League Fields in Rio Rancho. The Lady Tigers would run into the powerful #2 seed Loving Lady Flacons who pounded out 13 hits including sophomore Lorisa Martinez’s four-for-four at the plate, one of which was a towering, opposite field two run blast, and went on to defeat Raton 9-3.
Raton finished with a 20 win season and will say goodbye to five seniors, Halle Medina, Camryn Mileta, Nautasha Ortega, Sydni Sliva, and Camryn Stoecker.
The Lady Tigers are coached by Tinabeth Dorrance and assisted by Robby Armijo.
