Rams cruise by Ruidoso

RUIDOSO — The Portales Lady Rams had their hitting shoes on Tuesday night.

PHS pounded out 31 hits and scored in 11 of 14 innings, including eight of at least three runs, in rolling to a 15-2, 24-14 District 4-3A doubleheader sweep of Ruidoso.

Senior Summer Martinez belted a pair of homers and drove in six runs in the first game. The Lady Rams (15-5, 4-0 district) scored three in the first and never looked back, putting the game completely out of reach with a six-run seventh.

Freshman Kiersten Ramirez pitched a four-hitter for the Lady Rams, walking two and striking out six. She also had a solo home run in the sixth.

The Lady Warriors (11-11, 1-3) jumped in front 7-1 in the second inning of the nightcap, but Portales began its offensive fireworks in the next inning, scoring three times.

The Lady Rams then opened a 10-7 lead with a six-run fourth. Ruidoso regained the lead with four in the bottom half, but it was shortlived as Portales took the lead for good with a five-run fifth.

PHS finished the game with 19 hits, with sophomore Ashlie Villanueva collecting four hits, scoring four runs and driving in five. Senior Destynea Martinez added a two-run homer in the fourth, and Summer Martinez also finished 4-for-6 in the game.

Ramirez allowed 13 hits in the second game and her teammates committed seven errors, but she managed to go the distance in the circle. Leah Mosher went 5-for-5 for the Lady Warriors with a double, a triple and four RBIs.

PHS returns to action with a 4:30 p.m. district doubleheader on Friday at Lovington.

District 4-3A

First game

Portales 15, Ruidoso 2

Portales 303 021 6 — 15 12 0

Ruidoso 010 100 0 — 2 4 2

Kiersten Ramirez and Simone Laurenz; Destri Vincent and Sara Reynolds. W — Ramirez. L — Vincent. Top hitters — Portales: Laurenz 3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 runs; Kacie Terry 2-5, run; Ramirez 1-3, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Summer Martinez 3-6, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 3 runs; Jasmin Vega 2-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs. Ruidoso: Madigan Gonzales 3-3, 3 2Bs, RBI, run.

Second game

Portales 24, Ruidoso 14

Portales 103 654 5 — 24 19 7

Ruidoso 340 411 1 — 14 13 5

Ki. Ramirez and Laurenz; Jade Devara, Vincent (4) and Josie Graham, Reynolds (4). W — Ramirez. L — Devara. Top hitters — Portales: Francis Armijo 2-4, 4 runs; S. Martinez 4-6, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs, 4 runs; Ramirez 3-4, 2B, 3 runs, RBI; Destynea Martinez 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs; Ashlie Villanueva 4-6, 2B, 5 RBIs, 4 runs; Valerie Villanueva 2-5, 3 RBIs, run. Ruidoso: Marissa Gonzales 2-5, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Vincent 2-5, RBI, run; Mad. Gonzales 2-4, 2B, 4 RBIs, 4 runs; Lia Mosher 5-5, 2B, 3B, 4 RBIs, 2 runs. Records — Portales 16-5 (4-0), Ruidoso 11-11 (1-3).