ALBUQUERQUE – A massive fifth-inning surge by Santa Fe Indian School’s softball team proved too much for Navajo Prep on Wednesday, as the No. 7 Lady Braves turned a tight contest into a 12-3 victory at the Los Altos Softball Complex.
The win advances Santa Fe Indian School in the Class 3A state softball bracket, still needing to win out to avoid elimination. The loss by No. 6 Navajo Prep ends their season after back-to-back postseason losses in the double elimination tournament.
Navajo Prep struggled to contain a relentless Braves offense that sent double-digit batters to the plate in the fifth, breaking open what had been a defensive battle.
The Braves struck first in the bottom of the opening frame. After Jeanelle Coriz reached base, Misha Martinez drove a fly ball to left field for an RBI single, scoring Hailey Patricio to give Santa Fe Indian a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles responded in the top of the second. Jazmine Deswood reached on a pitching error and was driven home by Shundiin Antonio, who executed a perfect bunt single to third base to tie the game.
Prep then took advantage of aggressive baserunning and defensive lapses. Antonio sparked the rally by stealing third and eventually swiping home. Aiyanna Etcitty followed suit, stealing second and third before crossing the plate on a wild pitch, giving the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.
Navajo Prep held that lead until the bottom of the fifth, when the wheels came off for the Eagles’ pitching staff.
The Braves comeback began with an RBI single from Patricio. Moments later, Hannah Martinez ripped a line drive to right field, scoring two and reclaiming a 4-3 lead for Santa Fe Indian. The Eagles cycled through pitchers, but the momentum stayed with the home team.
Misha Martinez took a pitch to the body with the bases loaded to force in another run, followed by a double-steal that saw Kayden Fragua-Abeyta slide home. By the time Isabella Galvan and Sophia Dolima added an RBI single and a two-run double, respectively, the Lady Braves had extended the lead to 9-3.
Hannah Martinez and Fragua-Abeyta capped the scoring with back-to-back hits, including a two-RBI double by Fragua-Abeyta that pushed the final margin to nine.
Santa Fe Indian School will face Cobre in the consolation round bracket of the 3A tournament Thursday at 9 a.m.
The Eagles season comes to an end with a final record of 21-7.