Tigers split with Devils to slide into 3rd spot in league
Big run production in final inning of 1st game boosts Taos over Española, 9-6
The Taos Tigers traveled to Española and began district play with a double-header April 5. Blustery conditions persisted throughout the games and played havoc with many fly balls as high winds pushed toward home plate. It was the third meeting of the year between the two teams, with Taos owning a 2-0 record over their counterparts in previous non-district encounters.
The Tigers were coming off a third-place finish in the West Las Vegas Dons Invitational, where they defeated the Texico Wolverines by a hefty margin in the opening round March 28, suffered a narrow loss to the Robertson (Las Vegas) Cardinals in the semi-finals March 29, and a clinched a convincing victory over the Hatch Valley Bears March 30.
The completion of the tourney schedule marked the end of the regular season for Taos, who earned a 6-5 (0.545-win percentage) overall record.
From the onset, the Tigers jumped out to an early lead, scoring two quick runs in the first inning off a pair of doubles from top hitters Jordan Tafoya and Christian Fresquez. The lead was short-lived, however, as Española answered in the bottom of the first with three runs of their own. Additional runs by the home team in the bottom of the second and third innings gave the Sundevils a 5-2 lead heading into the fourth inning.
After going scoreless for two stanzas, the Tigers bats came alive, allowing Taos to narrow the deficit to 5-4. A scoreless fifth inning by both teams was countered by single runs in the sixth. The top of the seventh was the most productive for the Tigers, who scored four runs to ensure the first win of the district season by a final score of 9-6.
Starting as pitcher for Taos was Daniel Martinez, who was relieved by Roman Quintana in the middle innings. In the bottom of the sixth inning Jordan Tafoya was called in to finish the game on the mound for the Tigers. After giving up one run (and the lead), Tafoya shut out the Sundevils in the seventh inning to earn the save.
In the second game, Española was able to rebound from the tough loss and claim their first victory of the year over the Tigers. Final score of the second match was 3-2 in favor of the Sundevils. With 1-1 district record, Taos sits in the third position behind Moriarty (1-0) and
Los Alamos (2-1).
League play continued for Taos as they stayed on the road for a single game against the Pojoaque Elks April 10. Final score and game details were not available
before this section went to press.
Taos will stay on the road with a pair of games in Los Alamos April 13. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. The second game will begin shortly after the conclusion
of the first.
Taos will play their first home games of the year when they welcome the Kirtland Central (Fruitland) Broncos for a pair of non-district games April 20.