Manzano sweeps pair from Clovis softball

CLOVIS — High school softball fans got a lesson Saturday afternoon in just how confusing softball can be.

Visiting Manzano had little problem with the doubleheader overall, claiming 16-3 and 12-3 wins as Clovis dropped to 0-16 on the season.

The confusion came in the second inning of the second game, with Deandra Martinez hitting a leadoff double. After Martinez reached, Clovis coach Brandi Thomas contended it should have been Jaden Titus batting.

It wasn't that the Monarchs batted out of order, Thomas said, but rather that Martinez shouldn't have been batting at all. Martinez was listed as the Monarchs' flex player, created for a player who plays in the field but doesn't bat. Titus was listed as Manzano's designated player, a position which bats but doesn't play in the field (similar to a designated hitter that doesn't necessarily bat in the pitcher's place).

That led to a 10-minute break in the game while coaches and umpires had a lengthy conversation.

"It should have been caught at the plate," Thomas said, "and the other team (should) get the opportunity to fix it. The flex and the designated player (explanation) is confusing, and everybody was throwing their P's and Q's in."

The error was eventually fixed in the sixth inning.

Haley Valdez went 8-for-11 with 2 RBIs in the doubleheader as Manzano (7-9, 2-2 District 2-6A) pounded out 42 hits on the day.

The Wildcats, who travel to Santa Fe Saturday, are still struggling but showing signs of improvement with six runs scored, including a two-run triple by Jazmyne Lefevre in the second inning of the nightcap. Clovis posted 13 hits on the day.

"That's something we talked about in our postgame," Thomas said. "We're hitting the ball, but we're either hitting it at them or they're making great plays."