NM HIGH SCHOOL STATE SOFTBALL

Circle Wednesday morning when the state softball tournament pairs St. Michael’s against Navajo Prep in the first round at Rio Rancho Cleveland.

This is single-elimination play. The 10th-seeded Lady Horsemen are 11-14, 7th-seeded Navajo Prep is 14-13, but head coach Joe Alvarez of St. Michael’s is happy to take the field at Cleveland rather than traveling to Prep’s home in Farmington for the 11 o’clock game.

“Of course I’m glad to play this at a neutral field,” he said, “I don’t know much about them but they did lose to Capital, 11-3, back in March. I think we have played the tougher schedule and have a chance to advance.”

District 2-3A rival Santa Fe Indian School (17-10), the third seed, received a first-round bye and will also play on Thursday versus the first round survivor at 3 p.m.Same with district champion Robertson, the 1st seed at 21-4, who will face the first round winner on Thursday at 3 p.m. Cobre is the 2nd-seed.

Then there’s 12th-seeded Raton (4-20), which takes on 5th-seeded East Mountain (19-7), and that will be played at 11 a.m. Wednesday. And 6th-seeded West Las Vegas (12-11) meets up with 11th-seeded Tohatchi (13-13) Wednesday.

In 2A, 12th-seeded Pecos (8-11) goes against 5th-seeded Mesilla Valley Christian MVCS (18-5) at 9 a.m. Wednesday.