Three lady Tigers sign letters of intent

LOS LUNAS — The high school softball season is still months away, but three Los Lunas Tigers know where they will be playing after graduation.

During a ceremony recently at LLHS, Halie Delgado, Natalie Madrid and Kelsie De Graaf each committed to their college of choice.

De Graaf, whose father Cliff De Graaf coaches the LLHS baseball team, will play outfield for the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds.

“My dad went there for one,” said De Graaf about the reason for her choice.

“The town (Portales) is just so homey, and I love the people,” gushed De Graaf, who already knows some of the players on the roster.

De Graaf may study radiology at ENMU.

Nursing is the field of choice for Natalie Madrid, who will attend College of St. Mary in Omaha, Neb.

“They were the only college that would let me do softball and nursing at the same time. I just loved it over there,” said Madrid, who is a utility player. “I’ve loved this sport since I was a little kid. Going to the collegiate level makes me so happy.”

That excitement for softball is shared by Halie Delgado, who will be an outfielder at Luna Community College in Las Vegas, N.M.

“It’s been a part of my whole life. This is basically my destiny. My dad’s been raising me to do this since I was a little girl,” Delgado said with a laugh. “I’m just super excited.” Delgado may pursue a business degree.

The Tigers were 18-7 last season and qualified for the 5A state tournament.