Warriors upend Rams in finale

Whether it's a doubleheader or a round-robin, there's nothing better for a District 4-3A team that pulling a sweep on the road.

Kevin Wilson: CMI staff photo

Portales catcher Matt Martinez lays down a sacrifice bunt in the second inning of the Rams' District 4-3A game against Ruidoso Saturday at Ram Field. Martinez was 1-for-3 in the 8-2 setback for Portales.

Portales did on March 31 at Lovington. On Saturday it was Ruidoso's turn as the Warriors pulled the same feat with a 3-1 win over Lovington and an 8-2 victory over the Rams at Ram Field.

The Rams (14-4, 3-1 district) bested Lovington 3-0 in Saturday's opener behind a two-hit shutout by senior right-handerDavid Rodriguez, and had a chance to wrap up the district title with a win over Ruidoso.

But Warriors senior Denver Coronado had other plans, allowing just two hits over the first four innings and finishing with a six-hit, 126-pitch, complete game effort.

Kevin Wilson: CMI staff photo

Portales catcher Matt Martinez is able to apply the tag to Ruidoso baserunner Ryan Francis in the second inning Saturday at Ram Field. The visiting Warriors defeated Portales 8-2.

The Warriors (6-8, 2-2) host the final district round-robin on April 28 and can claim the title with a sweep. The Rams remain in the driver's seat, needing either a win against Ruidoso or a win over Lovington and a Lovington win over the Warriors to clinch.

Warriors coach Gilbert Alvarado, an outfielder with Eastern New Mexico University from 2003-2006, credited his pitchers for the sweep and noted that both Coronado and earlier starter Julian Lopez always give the squad a chance to win.

"The have played like this the whole time," Alavardo said. "We're just starting to clean up the errors behind them."

For the Rams, it was role reversal in the series. Following Rodriguez' 11-strikeout performance, nightcap starter Jesus Asosta got tagged with seven runs — four unearned — on five hits, and got little support from a defense that committed six errors and an offense that left 14 runners on base and didn't score until Portales had gone to the bullpen.

Kevin Wilson: CMI staff photo

Portales first baseman Ryan Schmidt tries to flip the ball to pitcher Jesus Acosta after scooping up a second-inning grounder Saturday against Ruidoso. Schmidt's throw got away from Acosta, but the Rams still recorded an out when catcher Matt Martinez got the loose ball and was able to tag out baserunner Ryan Francis at the plate.

"They came up with the hits and we didn't; we had opportunities," Portales coach Arturo Ontiveros said. "They made us make plays. We're up there watching called third strikes, and they're being aggressive."

A few cases in point for Ruidoso:

• First baseman Ryan Francis was hit by a pitch in the third inning, but was called back to hit after the home plate umpire ruled he had not tried to avoid the pitch. He drew seven more pitches out of Acosta before walking anyway, and later scored in the four-run third.
• The next batter in the third, Lopez, hit a first-pitch offering into what should have been a forceout at second to end the inning. But a dropped ball at second kept the inning alive, and Acosta used up 17 more pitches and gave up four runs before finally getting out of the inning with a full-count strikeout of No. 9 hitter Cade Patterson.

Add it up, and you get a short post-game talk from Alvardo to his players.

"When you coach, you tell them all you can during the week," Alvarado said. "When they get out there, all you can do is hope you taught them right. They're on their own when they step out on the field. I'll never strike out, and I'll never have a game-winning hit. All the success is theirs."

Portales first baseman Ryan Schmidt went 4-for-6 in the two games, while center fielder Kyle Bonem was 2-for-4 with an RBI single against Ruidoso.

Portales plays Tuesday at Texico in a single game, while Ruidoso travels to Artesia for a Tuesday doubleheader.

Saturday

Portales 3, Lovington 0

Lovington 000 000 0 — 0 2 2

Portales 001 200 X — 3 4 4

Josh Gutierrez and Cesar Trevizo, David Rodriguez and Matt Martinez. Top hitters Portales, Zach Blaeser 1-3, 2B, RBI; Ryan Schmidt 2-2. Records — Lovington 10-12, 1-3. Portales 14-3, 3-0.

Ruidoso 8, Portales 2

Ruidoso 004 120 1 — 8 9 3

Portales 000 011 0 — 2 6 6

Denver Coronado and Ryan Yaskich. Jesus Acosta, Daniel Zapata (5), Jarrett Faust (6) and Matt Martinez. Top hitters — Portales, Kyle Bonem 2-4, RBI. Ruidoso, Robert Lopez 2-3, 2 R, Garrett Thompson 2-4, R, RBI. Records — Portales 14-4, 3-1. Ruidoso 6-8, 2-2.