CARLSBAD SOFTBALL PICKED UP RIGHT WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

The Carlsbad softball team picked up right where they left off last season as one of the teams to beat this year with almost everyone back from last year and a roster with nine seniors. “We started off a little slow, but they’ve come a long way since the first couple games,” said head coach Brian Santo.  “They are playing really well together right now.”

The Cavegirls only have two losses on the year, and both were extra-inning games.  They put up double digits in the run department in all but three (four) of their wins. “I love hitting and it’s a hitters game,” said Santo.  “We have 15 girls on the roster and so far 11 of them put it over the fence.”

Senior Faith Aragon is the reigning New Mexico Softball Player of the Year.  This year she had 75 strikeouts in her first 47 innings of work and an ERA hovering around 1.  She also leads the team in batting.  “She’s an amazing player and an amazing teammate,” said Santo.  “She’s putting up amazing numbers again this year.”

Coach Santo says he puts the focus on teamwork and playing for each other. “Last year I gave them the word camaraderie and they use it pretty regularly,” said Santo.  “Some of them had to Google it to see what it meant,” he joked.

Carlsbad has played in in the state final every year since 2019 with another good shot to get there again.  “I have a great group of girls and they have the ability and the talent and all they have to do is put it all together,” Santo said.

Carlsbad (12-2) will open district play with a doubleheader against Clovis on Monday April 10th (rescheduled from April 4).