Clovis' Chavez, Barber get college shots

CLOVIS — It feels like Celeste Chavez has been on the Clovis Wildcat softball roster forever, and it feels like Harley Barber got here last Friday.

Chavez and Barber are on different ends of the spectrum as far as time with Clovis, but they were at about the same point Wednesday afternoon — celebrating their softball opportunities at the college level.

Chavez, a longtime pitcher for Clovis, will head to Pratt Community College in Kansas, while Barber is looking to take over center field at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs.

In a season that's been full of struggles - Clovis is 2-20 - the Wildcats got to have something to celebrate Wednesday with the team holding a ceremony at Wildcat Softball Field. Both had previously signed their letters of intent.

Barber, who's at her fourth school in four years due to frequent family moves, is looking forward to having a more permanent home.

She looked at Eastern New Mexico University and Florida Institute of Technology, but settled on Southwest because it had her major of forensic science. When she's not tracking down fly balls, she's studying to track down serial killers — a dream she acquired thanks to the "NCIS" television show. She hopes to someday work for the FBI or CIA.

Clovis coach Brandi Thomas said Barber — who's batting .292 in 16 games — has succeeded despite having to come into an all-new program.

"It's culture shock, coming in as a senior to any new program," Thomas said. "But she fit right in, and she showed what she could do early on."

Barber said compared to previous stops in California, Pennsylvania and Connecticut the game on the field was the same but everything surrounding it differs.

"It's farther to travel," Barber said. "Other states, you're only 15 minutes away from other schools. You can't get in as many games here, and it cuts into school time."

Unfortunately for Barber, the ceremony might be her last official activity as a Wildcat. She twisted her ankle sliding into second base during Tuesday's doubleheader at Portales, and there's little optimism it will heal in time for Saturday's doubleheader at La Cueva or Monday's season-ending twin bill with Sandia.

Chavez, who has been around the Clovis program since she was an eighth-grader, is planning to be a pitcher and second baseman for Pratt. She was also looking at ENMU and New Mexico State.

"Coach T knew the coach there, and she talked with him about me," Chavez said. "He gave me a call, said he wanted to meet me. I had a practice with the team, and it was a really fun experience."

Chavez is batting .450 on the season with eight doubles and eight RBIs, and has appeared in 14 games on the mound. With Clovis' struggles defensively, Thomas said it's difficult to hang all of the blame for Chavez' 8.86 earned run average on Chavez.

"Her drive and passion for the game is unbelievable," Thomas said of Chavez. "She's always been a hard worker, and she's going to give anything and everything she can."

Chavez said she had an idea she could play at the next level around her sophomore year, and feels her biggest concern heading into college softball is improving her contact hitting.