At the tail end of what can be termed disappointing seasons for the Cleveland and Rio Rancho high school softball teams, they’re on the road tomorrow, May 5, for the win-or-go-home first round of the Class 5A state tournament.

  • The Rio Rancho Rams (13-13), who just won one of the easiest games ever – the Rams were awarded a forfeit April 28 because their opponent, Volcano Vista, had already reached its regular-season limit) – finished with a 5-3 record in District 1-5A, putting them third behind the district champs, Volcano Vista, and runner-up Cibola.

The Rams got the No. 14 seed and play at No. 3 La Cueva at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Bears (23-3) beat the Rams 16-1 in their March 25 meeting at RRHS.

  • The Cleveland Storm (8-16-1, 2-6) are wrapping up their first losing season since coach Angel Castillo’s debut season of 2012, when the Storm went 9-12.

Cleveland got the No. 15 seed and take the long bus ride to No. 2 Carlsbad (24-2) for a 6 p.m. game Friday. The Cavegirls, last year’s state champs, defeated the Storm 10-5 on March 11 in the Kristin Griego Tournament at RRHS.

After this week’s first round, the tournament reverts to double elimination for the remainder. You can see the bracket at the NMAA website (nmact.org).

State tournament ticket prices are $10 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens, members of the military and students in grades K-12. Tickets are available only online (http://gofan.co/app/school/NMAA). Ticket prices do not include transaction fees.