Cleveland's 12-run inning, Rams dominance lead local teams past first round in Kristin Griego bracket

RIO RANCHO — In the first round of the Kristin Griego tournament, the local teams would put on a show within their city limits.

Rio Rancho and Cleveland softball opened bracket play at Rio Rancho Softball Complex with seamless victories, both tossing shutouts on double-digit run performances.

Rio Rancho 12, Valencia 0

There is always a certain pressure when it comes to being the host team in a tournament. With that being said, Rio Rancho’s seniors did not disappoint.

A nine-hit afternoon for the hosting Rams was led by catcher LilyRose Larrabee, who finished 3-for-3 with a three-run home run. University of Texas-El Paso’s commit collected three hits in just four innings.

Isabella Jarvis, headed to Northwest Community College, would join Larrabee with multiple RBI, plating two in the bottom of the fourth.

Eastern Florida’s Jordyn Tenorio would follow suit with a hit and an RBI of her own, contributing to Rio Rancho’s big six-run third inning.

Rio was posting Powerball numbers up on the scoreboard early: 2-1-6-3. On the other side of the box score, it was nothing but Easter eggs for the Valencia Jaguars: 0-0-0-0-0.

Mila Gonzales would contribute those zeroes, hurling five innings of shutout softball in the pitcher's circle. It would be a complete game outing with the game ending after five frames, thanks to mercy rule. Gonzales would allow just one hit, striking out four and walking one. She would also hit a fourth-inning home run and leave an impact at the plate.

Rio Rancho is now 7-4, winning their last four of five games.

Next up, Atrisco Heritage Academy in round two. Rio Rancho will close out its early-season tournament session with the Kristin Griego before heading into district play, hosting Farmington on March 31.

Cleveland 15, Robertson 0

Cleveland may still have a bad taste in their mouth when playing at RRSC, coming off a loss to the Rams in the Metro Tournament at the same location just a week prior.

On Thursday afternoon, they looked ready for revenge.

In a 15-0 runaway over the Robertson Cardinals, the Storm put up a whopping 12 runs in the first inning in what became just a three-inning mercy rule-shortened matchup.

Eight hits, with three of them being for extra bases, were all Cleveland needed to post a football-esque score out of the gate, featuring a Naia Thompson two-run triple, a Bri Chavarilla two-run double and a Danika Jaime two-run double.

It would be only three frames, but Julia Montoya would toss a miniature-sized “no-hitter.” Arizona Christian’s commit held the Cardinals to no runs and no hits, striking out five and walking none. 

Cleveland now sits at 9-4 on the season, sporting a three-game win streak.

Looking to keep the ball rolling through bracket play and beyond, the Storm will prepare for district play at Cibola on March 31.