Softball Game Preview: Las Cruces Bulldawgs vs. Riverside Rangers

The Las Cruces Bulldawgs will venture away from home to challenge the Riverside Rangers at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Las Cruces will be coming into the contest with an undefeated record on the line.

Las Cruces barely beat Sandia the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. Everything went Las Cruces' way against Sandia on Saturday as Las Cruces made off with a 16-1 win. While the Bulldawgs didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-18), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Kaia Renteria was a major factor no matter where she played. She tossed four innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits. That's the fewest earned runs she has allowed since back in April of 2024. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 3-for-4. Renteria is also crushing it when it comes to hits: she's got at least three every time she's taken the field this season.

Zaysha Hawkins

Runs

03/01/25 vs Sandia	3
03/01/25 vs Sandia	0
02/28/25 @ Deming	1
02/28/25 @ Deming	2
04/19/24 vs Organ Mountain	2
+ 4 more games

In other batting news, Zaysha Hawkins was incredible, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. That's the most runs she has posted since back in April of 2024. Denae DiMatteo was another key player, scoring two runs while going 2-for-2.

Las Cruces hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most five strikeouts in five consecutive games dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, Saturday just wasn't the day for Riverside's offense. They lost 20-0 to Del Valle on Saturday. The match marked the first time this season in which the Rangers were not able to get on the board.

Riverside's loss dropped their record down to 8-10. As for Las Cruces, their record is now 4-0.

Riverside's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Tuesday. Las Cruces has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.5 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Riverside, though, as they've been averaging only 2.7 strikeouts. Will Las Cruces keep running through batters, or will Riverside buck the trend? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.