Energy and chemistry: New-look Rams softball preps for spring season

RIO RANCHO —When the Rio Rancho softball program heads back to the diamond for the first time in 2026, hosting preseason scrimmages this weekend, it will be a familiar sight but a new look for the Rams.

After finishing 16-11 last season with a first-round exit in the state playoffs, Rio is returning just five varsity players, with only two of them being starters in 2025.

But while change is imminent at the fields of 770 Broadmoor Blvd., it leaves the door open to potential, a potential that could lead them back to late-spring postseason runs.

“We have a very high-energy and passionate team this year, which can change the attitude of a lot of games, which is exciting,” Rio Rancho senior Jordyn Tenorio said. “As a team, we stress the 'non-talent' aspect of the game, such as communication, energy and effort, and as long as everyone buys in, everything else will fall in line and win a lot of games.”

Rio hit the turn of the decade in stride, coming off a state championship in 2019, with winning seasons in 2021 and 2022, and a 2022 first-place district finish. 

Building up to another dominant decade, the Rams hit a wall soon after, with losing seasons in 2023 and 2024. The Rams would get back on the right side of .500 in 2025, but for a program with a standout resume, they are not interested in just treading water.

To ride the wave back to state softball prominence, they will have to embrace a new identity via their new-look roster.

“This year, we only have two returning varsity starters,” Tenorio said. “So there are a lot of starting spots open, which has motivated our entire team to work even harder for those spots. My role has changed a lot compared to last year, now that I’m a senior. I’ve not only pushed myself a lot harder this year but also everyone else around me.”

A senior class can be pivotal for the construction of a team and a season, and Tenorio and Co. are up to the task. Senior names such as Lilyrose Larrabee and Isabella Jarvis will all play pivotal roles as well, two Rams who joined Tenorio as college signees in the offseason.

Rams' catcher Larrabee was the 1-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 as a sophomore, earning all-district honors in 2025. She will take her accolades with her to University of Texas El Paso after her senior finale with the Rams.

"I believe that we can go extremely far with the amount of dedication and hard work shown through our preseason practices," Larrabee said. "We expect our bats to be hot as our defense finds their footing early in the season."

In the infield, Isabella Jarvis is ready for one last run before playing for Northeastern Community College in Nebraska, as out in the outfield, Tenorio earned a 2024 district honorable mention, heading to Eastern Florida in the fall. 

Other notables include Delysia Valdez, coming off an all-district second-team nod last year, to round out a seasoned senior group.

“When you’re a senior, a lot of people look up to you,” Tenorio said. “I’ve learned that being the best role model for them is by leading by example, leading vocally, and encouraging them so they cannot only grow for themselves but for the team as well. It takes a lot of guts to truly lead a team with confidence.”

Do the best teams have fun because they are winning? Or do they win because they have fun? Either way, the Rams are looking to find that balance.

“Definitely (looking forward to) having a lot of fun,” Tenorio said. “I want my last year to be full of memories not only for myself but for all the underclassmen as well, so they can continue their high school careers knowing what it’s like to have fun and enjoy the game.”

But don’t let the laughs and smiles fool you. A collegiate-level senior group, an experienced coaching staff, and underclassmen who are ready to make their name can be a dangerous recipe on the diamond.

“Something I think people should know about this team is that we have a lot of energy and chemistry, unlike any other team,” Tenorio said. “We definitely will not go down without a fight, and no matter what happens in a game, we’ll continue working hard for the next play.”

Rio Rancho softball will open up its season against Albuquerque High on March 10 at Rio Rancho Softball Complex.

"We all work extremely hard and hold ourselves to high standards," Larrabee said. "Rio Rancho has always competed at a high level, and I believe that we will be standouts in our district."