CHS players sign letters for softball

CLOVIS — Esperanza Tafoya and Marina Sena still have another season to do some damage for the Clovis High softball team. But they already know where their gloves and bats will take them next year.

The two signed letters of intent Friday evening at a ceremony held by friends and family at Traci’s Greenhouse — Tafoya to Lamar Community College in Colorado and Sena to University of the Southwest in Hobbs. The two signed their letters in front of family members with cameras in hand, at a table decorated with their uniforms from Clovis High and their Texas Ruthless USSSA team and Little League district and state champion banners from 2015 and 2016.

Clovis coach Braelyn Kruelskie praised both before the signing, and had no doubts either would have successful college careers.

“Both of these ladies have great leadership,” Kruelskie said. “Any time I ask them to do something, they do it.”

The two are the Lady Wildcats’ top returning hitters from the pandemic-shortened 2021 season, with Tafoya batting .381 and Sena .333. Both players had eight hits to finish second on the roster last year, and Tafoya led the team with five doubles.

Sena, a 5-foot-3 shortstop, said she picked Southwest over Eastern New Mexico University and Dallas Christian. The difference, she said, was coach Chris Petroski.

“Good coach — he’s really good,” Sena said, “and the players are all nice.”

Sena said she’s had a goal of playing college softball for the last few years, and realized she had a good opportunity when she drew attention at a camp at Dallas Christian.

Tafoya, a 5-foot-1 second baseman, had also looked at Luna Community College in Santa Fe and Division II Oklahoma Christian.

“When we went down for a visit,” Tafoya said, “it gave me a real homey feel.”

Tafoya has wanted to play college softball for somewhere around a decade, and became confident she could do it when she held her own as a freshman.

Sena said she wants to work this season on adding arm strength in the field and power at the plate, while Tafoya said her top focus is to improve her mental approach to the game.