Roosevelt teams compete in state tournament

The Roosevelt County Senior League team, comprised of area 15- and 16 year-olds, won Tuesday in Albuquerque verse the Zias 10-5 in District 3 action.

Roosevelt County will face Raton today, with the winner of that contest will face the Albuquerque Roadrunners. The Roadrunners defeated Roosevelt in the first round of the double-elimination state tournament.

“Pitching in our game was where we dominated,” said Roosevelt coach Joe Gilmore.

Roosevelt County pitcher Mario Salazar pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and striking out seven. Salazar also went 2-for-3 at the plate with one of the team’s two home runs.

“He threw a great game as well as our team did really well at the plate,” said Gilmore.

Gilmore added that the team began to gel before going to state.

“The kids really began to understand one another even without having the opportunity to practice,” Gilmore said, adding that the players have worked well on finishing double plays.

“These kids have really come together as a team,” said Tom Sullivan, the team’s assistant coach. “The kids struggled at first but they came out and played as a team.

“The kids come from three different programs (Portales, Elida and Dora) as well as each of them having different personalities,” Sullivan continued. “The kids came together as a team.”

Roosevelt eliminated by Enchantment

In other little league action, The Roosevelt county 11- and 12-year-old All-stars lost on Tuesday night in an elimination round to Enchantment (Los Lunas) 4-0.

“Our pitching and defense were there,” coach Sammy Villanueva said. “We were unable to get the ball into play. The kids did do a good job.”

The team has appeared in the last two state tournaments.