Lady Rams eye another 3A state run

You can almost see a slight grimace in Robbie Crowley's smile when she talks about her softball team's playoff appearances the last couple of years.

At Portales High, the Lady Rams have valiantly fought their way at state through what's commonly referred to as the "loser's bracket" in order to get into the championship game — in both 2011 and 2012.

Last year, that meant winning four games in 28 hours just to get into the title game against Silver — certainly not an easy road for a team that was the top seed entering the double-elimination tournament.

"It seems to be what we enjoy doing," said Crowley, whose team went 29-3 last season.

Not really. But two straight state Class 3A runner-up finishes have certainly put Portales in the top ranks of the classification, and the Lady Rams are ready for another run this spring.

Portales opens its season with a pair of home doubleheaders this weekend, a 5 p.m. twin bill against Santa Fe Indian today and an 11 a.m. start on Saturday against Roswell High.

PHS lost pitcher Kelsey Laurenz to graduation, but has six returning starters.

That includes Kelsey's younger sister, Simone Laurenz, at catcher. Laurenz is a junior, and one of many.

Valerie Villanueva at shortstop, Jasmin Vega at first base and Mariah Lovato in center field are key members who started as sophomores last season. Kacie Terry in the outfield is also a junior as is Francis Armijo, although Crowley isn't sure yet were the latter will play.

"She's so athletic, I can play her anywhere," said Crowley of Armijo, who was in the outfield two years ago and at second last year.

Portales does have seniors on the squad, but not many. Destynea Martinez and Ciara Lopez will see time in the outfield, while Martinez could also catch.

The third senior for the Lady Rams is part of an influx supplied by Portales football coach Jaime Ramirez.

His niece, Summer Martinez, has lived with the Ramirez family and moved with them when the coach was hired last summer. Martinez is a pitcher, as is freshman Kiersten Ramirez, Jaime Ramirez' youngest daughter.

Kailee Ramirez, another daughter to Jaime, is a sophomore and will play at third.

"Two of them pitch, so that's good," Crowley said. "One's a third baseman and we lost a third baseman. They're definitely going to help us.

"The thing that helps us is they've been playing since they were itty-bitty."

And one more thing, coach?

"And they really can hit," she added.

PHS SCHEDULE

March

22 — Santa Fe Indian (2), 5 p.m.; 23 — Roswell High (2), 11 a.m.; 28 — at Hobbs 6 p.m.; 30 — at Amarillo High (2), noon.

April

2 — Clovis, 6:30 p.m.; 5-6 — Portales tournament; 8 — Loving , 5 p.m.; 11 — at West Las Vegas (2), 3:30 p.m.; 13 — at Jal 1 p.m.; 16 — Lovington (2), 4 p.m.-x; 19 —‚ at Eunice (2), 4 p.m.; 20 — at Clovis, 1 p.m.; 23 — at Ruidoso (2), 4 p.m.-x; 26 — at Lovington (2), 4:30 p.m.-x.

May

3 — Ruidoso (2), 4 p.m.-x.

x-Denotes District 4-3A games