Lady Broncos off to a rousing start with 9-2 record

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Mar 26, 2026 | Softball |

FARMINGTON

The Kirtland Central softball team is making the most of the talent they return from last year’s squad.

The Broncos graduated only three seniors last season as they head into this weekend’s Kristen Griego Tournament at Rio Rancho High School with a 9-2 record. Last week, KC went 5-0 during the Linda Crabtree Memorial Softball Challenge.

“I think this is our most competitive year yet,” second-year KC coach Dillon Mason said. “I think the girls are really coming together, they’re really locking in, and they’re getting things done. I truly think that we have a really good shot at taking first in our district and getting a very high seed for state as well.”

Last season, KC finished third in the district race behind Aztec and Gallup. They expect to challenge those two teams for the District 1-4A crown in the six-team league. The rest of the district members include Bloomfield, Miyamura and Shiprock.

The Mason-coached team has eight players batting over .400 headed by junior Hailey Loyd’s 0.567 average. Senior Amelia Gomez is batting a .565 average while eighth grader Lacey Parrish is at .486.

“I’ve got a solid 12, and I’m trying to rotate all of them,” Mason said. “They’ve definitely made my job hard as a head coach, as far as trying to find that starting lineup and find a really good lineup because I’ve got plenty of girls to choose from.”

Mason said everyone on his team can put the ball in play, which allows them to move runners along the bases.

“Whatever job is given to them, and whatever job I’m asking of them, they all do a good job of stepping up and trying to do the best they can,” he said. “I mean, from top to bottom, I think we have a really solid lineup. Every girl is contributing from top to bottom, they’re contributing every way they can. And it’s coming around to be a team effort.”

As far as pitching, senior Rory Benally has put up some impressive stats this season. Through 11 games, she has struck out 55 batters and issued seven walks while boasting a 2.70 ERA.

“She’s hell of a kid and hell of a pitcher,” Mason said of his ace. “She’s come a long way. She’s coming into her senior year and, you know, she’s really trying to find that scholarship. She’s working hard, putting reps in, and helping us out where we need it.”

The KC coach has a couple of backup pitchers in sophomore Easton Myhre and senior Cailyn Belin.

“Easton Myhre is really stepping up and she’s finding her shoe in that circle,” he said. “And then you have Cailyn Belin, who’s also helping us out.

“We have a couple of girls who are still learning, getting their confidence, and really getting into the rhythm of things, so our pitcher depth isn’t too bad.”

And while the Broncos have tremendous depth on both ends of the field, KC will be without sophomore pitcher Elania Hosteen. Earlier this season, Hosteen took a nasty shot and ended up fracturing her hand while pitching to a Belen batter.

“That was a hard loss for us,” Mason said. “We’ll see how the healing process goes and it would be great to get her back towards the end of district. But as of right now, it’s a big possibility that we don’t get her back until next year.”

At the Linda Crabtree tournament, the Broncos shutout Albuquerque Academy (17-0), Santa Fe (11-0) and Portales (12-0). They also earned wins over Los Lunas Valencia (21-10) and Miyamura (6-3).

“I love the competition we’re seeing this year.” Mason said. “We even went to the Cleveland tournament, and we saw a lot of 4A, 5A competition. We’re facing some contenders that are going to be in the state tournament, so we’re getting that early state look.”

KC will see more of that competition at the Kristen Griego Tournament as they open the three-day tournament with Sandia at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

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