Portales' Ramirez signs with Greyhound softball team

Kailee Ramirez spent the last three years helping lead a winning softball program at Portales High School, with every indication she’d have the opportunity to play at the next level.

Now, Ramirez is moving on to that level, where she hopes she can be part of a winning softball program at Eastern New Mexico University.

link File photo: Kevin Wilson

Kailee Ramirez, who led Portales in batting (.634), homers (12) and RBIs (50) signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play at Eastern New Mexico University.

The power-hitting infielder was one of four signings announced Wednesday by incoming coach Katie Welborn, who comes from Lubbock Christian University to rebuild a softball team that aims to make more changes from the 2015 season than its mascot name.

Joining Ramirez junior college transfer first baseman Erikka Burke, El Paso outfielder Victoria Rodriguez, and Las Cruces utility player Lexie Roberto.

“I’m excited about them. Each one brings something a little bit different to the team,” Welborn said. “We’ve got two great utility players, Kailee being one of them. It’s going to be a great four to add to the team.”

Welborn said she’s looking at about half a dozen more players to start the rebuilding process.

Playing in what would be its final season as the Zias, ENMU got off to a 12-4 start before crashing down to earth. They lost 30 of their final 34 games, including a 16-game losing streak to end the season. The final four of those games technically came as Greyhounds, the result of an immediate name change instituted by the college’s board of regents.

Ramirez, who chose the Hounds over numerous schools, primarily junior college, in Texas, California and Kansas, said she felt, “that’s what God wanted me to do.”

Ramirez — whose younger sister Kiersten will be a senior next season for Portales — spent time with the ENMU team last season and isn’t concerned about its finish or its recent history. Be it a Zia or Greyhound, ENMU softball hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 and is 90-227 over its last six campaigns.

“I don’t have any concerns,” said Ramirez, who led Portales last season with a .634 average, 12 homers and 50 RBIs. “It’s a new season. Last season doesn’t really matter.”

Robbie Crowley, who has coached Portales since the program’s beginning as a junior varsity squad in 2000, said she had a feeling at the end of Ramirez’ sophomore season that college athletics was a possibility, and that notion was confirmed over the next two years with a player who refused to coast on her talent.

“She’s going to work hard,” Crowley said. “That’s why she’s where she is.”

Portales went 60-23 over three seasons with Ramirez in the lineup.

Ramirez played third base and shortstop at Portales, but can fit in any infield position, Welborn said — even the outfield, in the unlikely event it ever came to that.

“She’s such a hard worker and she’s such a chameleon on the field,” Welborn said. “I bet she could play just about anywhere I ask her to play, and she could play it well. You find with most players, their strong suit is one position. With Kailee, it’s more than one position.”

Burke, who will join the Zias as a sophomore, batted .364 with eight doubles and six homers at Sacramento City Community College. Roberto batted .333 for Mayfield High last year with 12 doubles and a pair of homers, while Rodriguez helped El Paso Bel Air to a 24-win season as a senior.

Welborn, who was expecting a prospect visit on Thursday, said the remainder of the recruiting effort will focus on pitching for a squad that will have nine returners for 2016.

“It’s going to be a young team,” Welborn said, “but it’s going to help the rebuilding process that we’ve got great leaders coming back.”