CHS teams looking to pick it up

The Clovis High baseball and softball teams didn’t get off to the kind of starts in District 4-5A play that they hoped for last week, but neither seems discouraged.

Both have their work cut out, though, as they try to work back into contention in three-game series this weekend against Manzano.

The softball teams meet at Lady Wildcat Complex, beginning with a 4 p.m. twin bill today, while the baseball teams meet at 4 p.m. today in Albuquerque before playing a pair of games on Saturday.

Manzano had a district bye last weekend.

The Lady Wildcats (9-7, 0-2) were shut out 3-0 and 6-0 on Friday at Carlsbad before Saturday’s series finale was rained out. Carlsbad’s Carolyn Garcia pitched a five-inning perfect game in Friday’s nightcap, called early due to lightning in the area.

Clovis saw Manzano (6-7) in a tournament last month at Rio Rancho, although the teams did not meet.

“They looked like a pretty sound team,” senior catcher Alicia Odom said. “But if we come out and play like we’re supposed to, I think we’ll have a good chance.”

Lady Cats coach Larry Trower said his squad competed well in Friday’s opener against the Cavegirls, but then fell flat.

“If we go out and play like we did against Carlsbad, especially in the first game, the girls have the capability of doing good things out here,” he said. “In district, it’s going to be a war because everybody knows it’s still wide open.”

Manzano earned a surprising second-place finish and playoff berth last season, in part because the Lady Monarchs were able to take two of three from Clovis in Albuquerque.

“We’ve got to play as a team and keep our emotions up,” Odom said. “This year our district is so wide open, and you’ve got to come out ready to play no matter what.”

The Wildcats, meantime, split a Friday twin bill with Carlsbad at Bell Park before dropping Saturday’s series finale 3-2.

Manzano (6-5) has beaten some good teams in the Albuquerque area and has a quality all-around player in 6-foot-7 shortstop-pitcher Adam Kramer, CHS baseball coach Shane Shallenberger said.

Shallenberger feels the Cats (12-3, 1-2) can dig themselves out of their early hole.

“I don’t think it’s any harder or easier than it’s been in the past to get out of district,” he said. “We’ve got to just take care of our business.

“They (Monarchs) obviously have some kids who can swing the bat. There’s no easy road for anybody in our district.”

Shallenberger said his players aren’t discouraged despite losing last weekend’s series.

“I don’t think our kids are hanging their heads,” he said. “We still have some things to prove, and it starts with Manzano. We got to do what we can to get out of district.”

District 4-5A

Baseball

Dist. All

Eldorado 2-0 8-6

Carlsbad 2-1 14-1

Clovis 1-2 12-3

Manzano 0-0 6-5

Hobbs 0-2 9-8

Tuesday’s games

First game

Eldorado 12, Hobbs 4

Second game

Eldorado 11, Hobbs 4

Friday’s games

Clovis at Manzano, 4 p.m.

Eldorado at Carlsbad (2), 4 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Clovis at Manzano (2), 10 a.m.

Eldorado at Carlsbad, 10 a.m.

Softball

Dist. All

Carlsbad 2-0 8-6

Eldorado 2-0 6-6-1

Manzano 0-0 6-7

Clovis 0-2 9-7

Hobbs 0-0 3-7

Friday’s games

Manzano at Clovis (2), 4 p.m.

Carlsbad at Eldorado, 4 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Manzano at Clovis, 10 a.m.

Carlsbad at Eldorado (2), 10 a.m.