Shorthanded PHS struggles in field in loss to Dexter

DEXTER — Portales High softball coach Robbie Crowley knew her squad might be up against it, missing its top two pitchers.

That wasn’t so much the problem, though. The Lady Rams struggled mightily in the field on Saturday in a 11-1 setback to Dexter, the game called after 4 1/2 innings on the 10-run rule.

With freshman Madi Purcell making the start in the circle, PHS (7-6) committed five errors in the contest. On top of that, the Lady Rams were no-hit by Lady Demons pitcher Bryana Munoz.

With freshman Wendy Baeza nursing an injury and sophomore Aymri Chavez not available as well, Purcell pitched three innings. Eighth-grader Laura Blaeser finished it.

“We can’t have that many errors behind young pitchers,” Crowley said. “They need help from the girls playing behind them.”

Most of the damage by Dexter (10-3) came during a seven-run third. The Lady Rams managed to scratch out a run against Munoz in the fourth inning.

Portales begins District 4-4A action on Thursday with a 4 p.m. doubleheader against Moriarty at Wheeler Park.