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Elida advances in state playoffs; Texico, Grady lose
ALBUQUERQUE — Suffice it to say it wasn’t Texico’s day Monday.
The Wolverines committed seven errors, including five in a nine-run Eunice third, and dropped a 12-2 decision to the Cardinals in a quarterfinal game of the Class 2A state baseball tournament at Eldorado High School.
Texico coach Richard Luscombe said senior pitcher Casey Crist deserved a better fate after giving up 12 runs, most of them unearned, in three innings. The game ended after 4 1/2 on the 10-run rule.
“We just didn’t take care of the defensive end of it,” Luscombe said. “When (the errors) happened, it seemed like (Eunice’s) confidence level went up.”
The fifth-seeded Cardinals (16-7), who handed Texico a 13-1 regular-season loss, advanced to a semifinal matchup today against top-seeded Estancia, also at Eldorado. Estancia advanced on Monday with an 11-6 victory over Mesa Vista.
Eunice took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, benefitting from a Texico error which led to two unearned runs. Wolverines catcher Seth Bailey hit a long home run in the third before the Cardinals went to work in the bottom of the inning.
Eunice’s five hits in th third included two-run doubles by junior second baseman Casey Rodriguez and freshman right fielder Ulises Lozano.
Texico (14-3) scored on an RBI double by Matt Vasquez in the fifth, but couldn’t extend the game.
Senior right-hander Brandon Davis went the distance on the mound for Eunice, allowing three hits. Davis has dealt with a knee injury this season, and had spent most of his time at shortstop.
“He’s by far the best pitcher I’ve seen in a while,” Luscombe said.
In a Class 1A quarterfinal played at the University of New Mexico’s Lobo Field, eighth-seeded Grady was overwhelmed by top-seeded Gateway Christian 33-0. It was the first state appearance for the Bronchos (4-5) in 14 seasons.
Gateway (16-5) will take on fourth-seeded Elida in the semifinals. The Tigers got past Questa 10-8 in eight innings on Monday.
