Santa Fe High has a doubleheader date

There’s still hope for the Santa Fe High softball program, maybe not in Saturday’s District 5-5A doubleheader at crosstown rival Capital, but perhaps in the season finale against visiting district opponent Albuquerque Rio Grande.

Hope? Well, currently at 2-20 overall and winless in six district starts, it looked like the Demonettes had a chance to reach the win column again in Thursday’s non-district game versus visiting Raton. Instead, their losing streak reached an even dozen in the 9-4 defeat. The Tigers, now 4-14 overall, had lost four in a row and were coming off 21-6 and 16-0 losses in a doubleheader at Capital.

But after Santa Fe High scored twice in the first inning, Raton responded with two runs in the third, two in the fourth, three in the fifth, and with two more in the top of the seventh.

The Demonettes added two more runs in the fifth on a single from senior Adriana Prada to cut into a 7-2 deficit, and had the bases full with one out when junior Chistina Chavez lined into a double play, then a inning later they batted out of turn and that nullified 8th-grader Gabby Chevez’ being hit by a pitch to start the frame. Gabby is one of four 8th-graders in the lineup. Her team has won twice, a neutral field tournament forfeit over Shiprock and a home win over Grants.

Rio Grande has also had a disappointing campaign, presently at 6-14 overall and 0-6 in district, and edged Grants, 19-18. It has dropped eight straight, has scored 142 runs and allowed 231, and has suffered eight shutouts. As for Santa Fe High, it has crossed the plate only 70 times and has yielded 311.

Prada had a 2-for-4 game with three RBI and starting pitcher Jaden Eustice struck out seven in going the route.

Meanwhile, Capital has advanced to 11-9 overall and 3-3 in district. Albuquerque Manzano joins it above .500 at 13-8 and with five wins in a row, and tied with Albuquerque High at 6-0 each in district, with the Bulldogs 10-10 overall after winning two straight. Then there’s Los Lunas also at 3-3 in district and 8-13 overall.