Cats unable to get sweep

The Hobbs Eagles were getting their District 4-5A baseball roadwork out of the way this week.

Problem was, they were staring at an 0-4 start.

CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks

Clovis High senior Scott Lybarger drops a third-inning bunt during Saturday's District 4-5A doubleheader opener against Hobbs at Bell Park. The Eagles mishandled the attempted sacrifice, setting up a five-run inning that propelled the Wildcats to a 10-4 win.

The Eagles, who lost a doubleheader at Carlsbad on Tuesday, rebounded with a 13-4 second-game win over the Clovis High after the Wildcats rode junior Joe Shelley's third-inning grand slam to a 10-4 triumph in the opener.

Senior right-hander David Thomas pitched into the seventh for Hobbs (9-11, 1-3) in the nightcap, and was backed by a 14-hit attack

"It's always good to come back and get off the schneid," Hobbs coach Marco Boyle said. "David threw well and we came around with the sticks."

For Clovis (9-10, 1-1), its district opener didn't turn out quite the way it had hoped.

Junior right-hander Tyler Greene worked in and out of trouble and also got into the seventh inning after Shelley's line drive over the left field wall gave Clovis a 9-3 lead.

Greene, who came within a single of the cycle in the second game, walked six and struck out seven but came up with big pitches when he needed them.

"Tyler did a good job for us," CHS coach Drew Hatley said. "We just lot a little bit of energy that second game, but we'll regroup and get after Carlsbad Tuesday night (in a 4 p.m. home twin bill)."

Clovis survived four errors in the opener, making all but the last of Hobbs' runs unearned. The Eagles stranded 13 runners in the contest.

CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks

Clovis senior shortstop Jobi Fontenot makes the long throw across the diamond for the out in the opener of Saturday's District 4-5A baseball doubleheader against Hobbs Saturday at Bell Park.

Boyle said Shelley's slam was a big part of how the game played out.

"That kind of broke us right there," he said. "The kid stepped up big for his team. He put a good swing on it."

Sophomore Kordell Tindle lined a two-out, two-run single over short in the Cats' four-run first against Caleb Young, who nearly pitched out of a runner-at-third, none-out situation. Young struggled with his control, though, walking five in the first — two with the bases loaded — and seven all told before coming out in the third.

Victor Porras then nearly escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam, but with two down Shelley caught hold of a 2-1 pitch and sent it just over the barrier in left.

Shelley, Tindle and Jobi Fontenot each had two of the Cats' eight hits.

In Game 2, the Cats led 1-0 with two out in the second when Greene, fighting the sun and wind in right field, misplayed consecutive fly balls which allowed the Eagles to score twice and take the lead for good.

"That was big for us," Boyle said. "We've been on the other end of that. I'm just glad we were able to capitalize on it."

Center fielder Jesus Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs while Thomas also had three hits for the Eagles.

Meantime, Greene tripled home a run in the first, hit an RBI double in the third and then delivered a first-pitch homer leading off the sixth against Thomas. He batted again in the seventh with a chance to add the needed single, but reliever Brayden Price struck him out.

Senior starter Matt Woodbury went 3 1/3 innings for the Cats, allowing five hits and seven runs (five earned).

"We didn't play real well behind Matt early," Hatley said. "Their pitcher did a good job; you have to give him credit."

CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks

Clovis junior Joe Shelley is greeted by his teammates at home plate after hitting a third-inning grand slam in the opener of Saturday's District 4-5A baseball doubleheader against Hobbs Saturday at Bell Park.

Senior Jared Hughes went 2-for-4 for the Cats, who finished with seven hits but struck out 14 times against Thomas (12) and Price (2).