Unbeaten Centennial softball advances in state tournament
LAS CRUCES ― Top-seeded Centennial posted its fourth straight shutout victory, beating No. 16 Capital 11-0 in five innings on Friday at the Field of Dreams Softball Complex in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament.
The Hawks (27-0) will play district rival Mayfield at 11 a.m., on Thursday at Cleveland High School in the first round of the eight-team double elimination round.
"With another year of experience, now they understand what it takes to be a state championship team," Centennial coach Fernie Valles said. "It is the hard work they put in and the experience."
Centennial lost to Carlsbad in the state title game last year, but the experience of advancing has carried over.
"I would say the chemistry is a lot better and the confidence," Centennial pitcher Caprice Barela said. "We have been there once. It doesn't phase us anymore and we have been working together and I think that's what is different this year."
Centennial beat Mayfield four times this season.
"It will be a good game, but it's nothing that we can't accomplish," Barela said.
Centennial pitcher Caprice Barela had 13 Ks and allowed 1 hit. Centennial is 27-0 and will play Mayfield in the 8 team double elimination round in Albuquerque pic.twitter.com/mJeoaEktAo
— Jason Groves (@JPGroves) May 6, 2023
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Barela allowed one hit and struck out 13 in five innings on Friday.
The Hawks had nine hits with home runs from Amanda Valles and Zantelle Rodriguez.
Centennial's Zantelle Rodriguez with a 3 run HR. Centennial leads Capital 9-0 in the third inning. Winner plays Mayfield in Albuquerque next week pic.twitter.com/rodGq4xHqj
— Jason Groves (@JPGroves) May 6, 2023
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Valles put the Hawks on the board with a three-run home run in the first inning. Rodriguez hit a three-run homer during the Hawks six-run second inning for a 9-0 lead.
"We just have to be ready for Mayfield now," Valles said. "We know each other so good that it's going to be a hard game."
No. 9 Mayfield 13, No. 8 Albuquerque 8
The Trojans improved to 16-11 on the season.
Mayfield pitcher Angelina Ramirez struck out 14 hitters in seven innings in the circle. Alyja Lara was 4 for 5 at the plate with grand slam and six RBI. Addyson Gamboa was 4 for 5 with a home run and three RBI and Marissa Hernandez was 4 for 5 with four runs scored.
Baseball
Class 5A
No. 8 Las Cruces 15, No. 9 Rio Grande 5
The Bulldawgs won Game 1 of the Class 5A best-of-three first-round series. Game 2 is Saturday at 10 a.m., at the Field of Dreams Baseball Complex.
No. 4 Volcano Vista 12, No. 13 Organ Mountain 2
Volcano Vista takes a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is Saturday at 10 a.m.
No. 6 Centennial 12, No. 11 Farmington 4
The Hawks improved to 23-4 on the season and will look to advance on Saturday. Game 2 is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Field of Dreams Baseball Complex.
Class 4A
No. 7 Santa Teresa 4, No. 10 Hope Christian 3
Santa Teresa will look to advance to the quarterfinals with a Game 2 victory at 10 a.m., at Santa Teresa High School.
Class A
No. 4 Mesilla Valley Christian 18, No. 5 Gateway Christian 8
The SonBlazers improved to 11-4 on the season with Wednesday's victory. Mesilla Valley Christian will play No. 1 Logan in the semifinals on Friday at 10 a.m.
Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Unbeaten Centennial softball team rolls into Class 5A second round
