Cavegirls Drop Atrisco 10-4, Lose to Cibola 8-6

By Don Eskins

The Cavegirl softball team’s effort to capture the 2025 state tournament championship came to a close on Friday, May 16, in Albuquerque.

In the losers’ bracket during quarter-final round action, the fourth-seeded and sixth-ranked Cavegirls dropped an 8-6 decision to the third-seeded and third-ranked Cibola Cougars.

Unable to push a run across the plate through the first six innings, Carlsbad rallied to score six times in the bottom of the seventh. Although coming up two runs shy of the Cougars, 8-6, Carlsbad out-hit Cibola 12 to 9.

“During the early innings of the game, we just didn’t hit the ball the way we’re capable of,” said Cavegirl head coach Brian Santo. “We finally woke up in the seventh inning, though. Our girls didn’t want our season to end there, so they went to work and almost pulled out the win.”

Katrina Ortega led all Cavegirl hitters. The sophomore hurler went 3-4 with a run scored and a double. Also picking up multiple hits were junior Faith Rivera, 2-4 with an RBI and a double, and freshman Kendra Ortega, 2-4 with a double.

Saddled with the loss was Katrina Ortega. Ortega, in the circle for four innings, gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits. She walked two and struck out three.

Cavegirls 10, Atrisco Heritage 4: Carlsbad jumped on Atrisco Heritage early and often during the second round of state tournament play on Thursday, May 15, in the Duke City. After just one inning of play, CHS led 4-0. The Cavegirls went on to push their lead up to 8-2, after four, en route to the 10-4 victory.

The Cavegirls gathered in 10 hits in the win. Katrina Ortega, 3-3 on the day with one run scored, one base on balls, a double, and six RBIs, led all CHS hitters. Also enjoying big days with the stick were Kalion Fuentes, 3-4, and Makayla Chester, 2-3.

Inside the circle to pick up the win was Aubrey Hernandez. Through seven innings, the senior righty gave up four runs (one earned) on three hits with five walks and six strikeouts.

The Tourney and Season

Overall, during state tournament play, the Cavegirls went 2-2, registering wins over Hobbs (13-5) and Atrisco Heritage (10-4) while sustaining losses to Mayfield (4-2) and Cibola (8-6).

“Dropping an 8-6 decision to Cibola was disappointing. But it doesn’t diminish the fact that our kids had a very good season,” said coach Santo. “Following a 2-4 start, our kids went 20-4 to close out the year at 22-8.

“Our staff couldn’t have been more proud of the efforts our kids put out this year. They battled all season, and that’s all we could have asked from them.”

In the MaxPreps final season poll, the 2025 Cavegirls were ranked eighth among Class 5A softball teams.

“We got a lot of help and leadership from our four seniors this season,” said Santo. “We’re going to miss Vianka Villa, Parris Weldon, Aubrey Hernandez, and Kalion Fuentes a lot next year. We all wish them only the best in all of their future endeavors.”

Box Scores:

Game 1: May 15

CHS 4-0-4-2-0-0-0--10

AHS 0-0-2-0-0-0-2---4

Game Stats: (Total Hits 10) Katrina Ortega 3-3, 1R, 1BB, 6RBI, 2B; Aubrey Hernandez 0-1, 1RBI, 3BB; Makayla Chester 2-3, 2R, 2B; Allyson Madrid 1-3, 1BB, 2R; Nieto Daisha 0-0, 3R; Parris Weldon 0-3, 1BB, 1R; Kendra Ortega 1-3-1R; Kalion Fuentes 3-4, 1R, 2SB, 2RBI, 2B: WP- Aubrey Hernandez 7in-3H-4R-1ER-5BB-6K. (MaxPreps Stats)

Game 2: May 16

Cibola 0-0-4-0-2-1-1--8

C-bad 0-0-0-0-0-0-6--6

Game Stats: (Total Hits 12) Brooklyn Cook 0-0-, 1R; Katrina Ortega 3-4, 1R, 2B; Aubrey Hernandez 1-4, 1R, 2RBI, 2B; Makayla Chester 1-4; Allyson Madrid 1-4, 1R, 2RBI; Faith Rivera 2-4, 1RBI, 2B; Kendra Ortega 2-4, 2B; Vianka Villa 1-3, 1R, Kalion Fuentes 1-3, 1R, 1BB; LP Katrina Ortega 4in-5H-5R-4ER-2BB-3K; Kalion Fuentes 3in-4H-3R-3ER-4BB-0K. (MaxPreps Stats)