Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Clovis High's Connor Langrell pitched a six-inning one-hitter in the Wildcats' 10-0 win over Portales on Tuesday at Bell Park. The Cats improved to 6-3 for the season with the win.
Portales' Logan McDaniel fields a grounder and tries to get the out at first during the third inning of Tuesday's game against Clovis at Bell Park.
CLOVIS — The Clovis High baseball team walked away with a with a run-rule win over Portales on Tuesday night, beating the Rams 10-0 in six innings at Bell Park.
While the Wildcats improved to 6-3 for the season, the Rams started the season with a one in the loss column. Clovis built a 3-0 lead through three innings before ending it with a seven-run sixth.
Both teams' coaches conceded that with the Rams playing their first game, just three days removed from a Class 4A state runner-up finish in basketball, things were expected to look a little rusty.
"I think physically we are going to be fine, but mentally we need to clean it up a little bit," Rams coach Dusty Nusser said. "I think we had some good (at-bats), chances to score. We kind of ran ourselves out of an inning or two, but we will be OK."
Wildcats coach Richard Cruce said his team in running smoothly right now, but could use a little more offense.
"We are pitching and playing defense great, but we have to start swinging the bats a little bit better," he said. "When those come around, I think we have a chance to be fairly good."
"The last few weeks, we are learning, getting to do things the right way. That being their first game, it's tough on them because we are that deep in season and we should be able to do things like that."
The pitching was indeed good for the Wildcats, with junior Connor Langrell throwing six scoreless innings, allowing only five runners on base and one hit.
"Connor came out and threw strikes early, got outs early, struggled a little late walking some people," Cruce said. "But I thought he threw really well today."
Portales struggled in the field with six errors. Emilio Lovato got the start for the Rams, throwing 3 1/3 innings while giving up eight hits and three runs.
Tomas Gallegos was the only player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 for the Wildcats with a pair of run-scoring singles. Clovis finished with seven hits. Kayden Shober capped the sixth-inning barrage with a two-run, walk-off single.
The Rams and Cats are both slated for three-day tournaments beginning on Thursday, Portales going to Eunice while Clovis plays at Roswell.
