Saturday, May 10, 2008

Lady Tigers finally clinch hard-fought third title

LLHS heads to state tourney on win streak

Duane Barbati News-Bulletin Staff Writer; dbarbati@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas By beating Eldorado 5-1 in the refular seaon finale on Tuesday, the Lady Tigers are District 5-5A solftball champions for the third straight year.

The Tigers (17-9, 9-3 in 5-5A) won the season series over Manzano (11-15, 9-3). If Los Lunas had lost to Eldorado, then Manzano would have been champions.

"It's awesome," said LLHS coach Paul Cieremans about winning district. "These girls worked hard. It was a fun season."

Los Lunas, winner of three straight games, is hoping for a No. 6 through a No. 10 seed for the 16-team state tournament, said Cieremans. The seeding will be announced on Sunday, May 11.

There are five districts in Class 5A, each with a representative, and Rio Grande's athletic director Pete Pino will represent Los Lunas' District 5-5A.

"We just have to take one game at a time," said Cieremans. "Whoever we play, we've got to prepare for them. I am hoping for a sixth seed, but realistically a 7 to 10 seed."

In last year's state tournament, the fifth-seeded Tigers lost to No. 12 Hobbs in the first round, 5-0. Cieremans said he hopes the experience of the five seniors on the team will take them further in the state tournament.

"Heather (Kline) and Adri (Gabaldon) were the only two players with the team for all three championships," said Cieremans, referring to Kline, the Lady Tigers' catcher, and Gabaldon, the team's main pitcher. "This is their third year in the state tournament. The other seniors, it's their second year.

"Hopefully with experience comes leadership. It's our catcher and pitcher. Those are the two you need to be going. They're the ones in the middle of every defensive play."

He said he believes all the teams are competitive because last year Hobbs was ready to play.

"I am excited," said Cieremans. "It's a wait-and-see now to see were they seed us. Wherever we're at that 1 through 16 seed on the softball side, they're pretty quality teams. The 15 and 16 might be a little easier, but 1 through 14 are pretty even."

Gabaldon, a senior, said her playing her last home game was bittersweet.

"I am happy and excited that we won, but it's sad that it's the end," said Gabaldon. "All the district teams have improved over the years; this time it was difficult. All the teams stepped it up. I think we should do well (at state), and if all this momentum carries over, we should do awesome."

In Tuesday's game, the Tigers had their biggest scoring inning in the fifth. With Los Lunas leading 2-0 with Gabby Pino on second and Devonne Martinez on first, Gabaldon smacked one over the centerfielder's head for a double to score Pino. Martinez would score on a groundout by Danielle Garcia.

Gabaldon scored when Jackie Candelaria reached first on an error for a 5-0 Tiger lead.

The Eagles would score their only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when Stephanie Felton hit a run-scoring double.

Los Lunas had taken the lead early in the first inning when Martinez scored off of Gabaldon's triple. In the third inning, Jocelyn Sexsmith scored on a Heather Kline double.

The Tigers have been more successful at home than on the road this year, with an 8-2 home record, winning their last eight games at LLHS.

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