The Lady Warriors softball team broke into the win column in a record-setting fashion on March 28, as Socorro pummeled Hot Springs 41-5 in a game that was mercy-ruled after three innings in the Moriarty tournament.

The 2024 Lady Warriors broke school records for the most runs scored in a game, most runs scored in an inning, and the largest margin of victory. The 2021 Lady Warriors had the previous most runs scored (34) and the largest margin of victory records (20 runs) in a 34-14 win over Hot Springs. The 2014 Lady Warriors shared the largest margin of victory with a 26-6 win against Hatch Valley.

“We felt good about it. I think we felt better about breaking our losing streak,” starting pitcher Abrianne Romero said. “Now our goals are to improve as a team and win more games.”

Romero and Jayden Jojola handcuffed the Lady Tigers batters. Romero struck out six players, and Jojola, an eighth-grader, allowed two hits and put one player back on the bench.

Among the highlights of a 30-run second inning were an inside-the-park home run by Tatjana Castillo, triples by Romero and Tristen Garcia, and doubles by Jazmine Alvarado, Jada Paz, and Jisela. Paz, Castillo, Garcia, Romero, Macayla Amaro, Thalia Acosta, Jisela Estrada and Arianna Silva all scored for Socorro.

The onslaught continued in the third inning, with Estrada matching Castillo’s inside-the-park homer with one of her own. Adding to Socorro’s figures were Estrada with a double, Romero’s single, and Garcia walking to score a run.

The Lady Warriors’ batting totals were a little mind-boggling, considering the contest went just three innings.

“They were excited about their win, but they were very humble. It was quiet on the bus ride home,” Lady Warriors coach Tracy Romero said.

Romero and her assistant Brittani McDaniel reined in the excited Lady Warriors during the game because Socorro has been on the wrong end of big games.

“We’re not used to doing that. We’ve been there many times. We know what it feels like,” Romero said.

The big inning led Romero to pull her starter and let Jojola get some live game experience at the varsity level.

Estrada (4-5) and Castillo (3-4) evenly split 10 RBI to lead the scoring. Romero (3-5) helped her own cause with four RBI. Paz and Amaro had three hits each.

Socorro will return to the diamond on April 20 for an 11 a.m. doubleheader against Hot Springs.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor