GRANTS - After a late start into a Gallup fast pitch softball league, the Grants Sluggers proved to be worthy opponents all summer.

The Grants Sluggers had a great first season pulling down wins that convinced Gallup coaches that the team had been playing together for years. Sluggers, front from left: Tiona Largo and Shental Largo. Second row, from left: Coach Jocelyn Garcia, Desiree Morgan, Socorro Ynguiez, Felicia Patricio, Juliana Falcomata, Tenille Largo and Coach James Diaz. Third row, from left: Mari Sanders, Alicia Canaba, Erin Carrica, Samantha Castillo, Anna Diaz and Helene McNeil. Back Row: Coach Tony Canaba and Coach Felisha Martin

“They worked very hard at practice,” said Coach Tony Canaba of the 13 years old and under team. “They did great.”

The local girls won seven games and lost two to the top teams in the league by a total of three runs.

Canaba said the coaches from the league were impressed with the girls and often thought they had been playing together for several years.

The Sluggers look to be the first official feeder program to the Lady Pirate softball team of Grants High School. Opponents that the Lady Pirates play have feeder programs that play year round in other fast pitch softball hotspots around the state.

“We're trying to get them at least a little bit prepared,” said Canaba, “softball is huge in Albuquerque. We hope to show that we still have a lot of talent here in Grants.”

Canaba reminisced of Grants' golden era of softball when the high school won the state tournament three years in a row. He said his team has worked closely with the current Lady Pirate softball coach Andrea Archuleta and two star players from the 2006 championship team.

“Andrea likes what we are doing. She invited our girls to the morning practices,” said Canaba. “It seems she is building a string program and we hope we can add to that.”

While the team took care of business on the diamond, the girls had a lot of support from the community that helped make them a success.

Grants Councilman Walter Jaramillo helped supply a van for team travel to the out of town games.

Grants Recreation Department leaders pitched in softballs and helped with some equipment.

With many summer mornings spent in practice and games an hour away from home, parents were the biggest contributing factor, Canaba said.

In the future, Grants could be hosting its own softball league. With interest from about 50 girls in the 9-14 age bracket, a legitimate league could form and start training girls for high school play.

The Sluggers look to be putting up their bats for the summer, but at the very least, the team is expected to be back for next year.