Grand opening for Capital High softball

Grand opening for Capital High softball as it needed only three innings to dispose of visiting Santa Fe High, 16-0, at Jaguars field Thursday  First time Jags have defeated Demonettes on the field, as a 10-run third inning brought the mercy-rule

By Arnie Leshin 

Law of averages? Well, for the Capital High softball team it was a little more than that after opening the season by disposing of neighborhood rival Santa Fe High at home Thursday afternoon.

The final score of 16-0 in three innings because of the mercy rule, was familiar because through the years, that’s the way the Demonettes reigned supreme over the Jaguars. Eight times they played and eight times Santa Fe High prevailed with six shutouts mixed in with 35-2 and 12-3 victories.

Even in the two years that Sig Rivera was the Demonettes’ head coach, Capital came up short. But now that Rivera is back for his third campaign in charge of the Jaguars, things have changed.

“My girls have a good attitude,” he said, “we have three good pitchers and an experienced starting catcher in Emma George.”

George has been behind the plate since 8th grade. Sister of former star wrestlers Adrian and Alex, she’s also on the wrestling team and runs cross country.

“She’s only a sophomore,” Rivera said, “but she has all the tools. She’s smart behind the plate and that’s why she belongs there.”

With Santa Fe High under new head coach Angelica Quintana, its offense was stymied by freshman pitcher Marley Cardenas, who struck out six, walked two, and was credited with a three-inning no hitter.

The Jags scored 10 times in the third inning to bring the mercy-rule. Leading their hit parade was freshman Alex Hernandez with a 3-for-7 day that included a triple and she batted home four runs. Alex Mares, a senior, added two hits in 3 at-bats, and senior Joline Bowannie and junior Yamile Cota also collected a pair of safeties and Cota scored three times.

“I told the girls I used to be on this end,” said Rivera. “I used to challenge my pitchers by saying, ‘Who’s going to throw a no-hitter against the Jaguars?’ It’s weird that this would be the opposite way around now.”
Two of his players, Deanza Booker and Ariel Gonzales, missed this game as members of the basketball team that plays a 5A first-round game at Gallup tonight.

Cardenas is expected to share the hurling with fellow freshman Hernandez and senior Melino DelRio.

We’ve got some players who are very versatile and can play numerous positions,” Rivera said.

Sounds like things are stepping up for the Capital girls. But most important, the softball draught versus Santa Fe High has stopped.