Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
PHS sophomore Carson Pfaffenberger delivers a pitch during Thursday's District 4-4A baseball game against Roswell Goddard at Ram Field.
PHS junior Elijah Tellez tries to corral the throw as a Roswell Goddard baserunner slides safely into second base during Thursday's District 4-4A baseball game against Roswell Goddard at Ram Field.
ROSWELL – Portales High's baseball team knew its work was cut out facing the No. 1 team in Class 4A this week.
The Rams managed only a single tally in all three games, including Friday's 4-1, 8-1 sweep by the Rockets in Roswell. Goddard, which has won 11 in a row, opened the District 4-4A series on Thursday night with a 7-1 verdict at Ram Field.
Portales (9-11, 0-6 district) kept the Rockets (18-5, 6-0) in some check during the series, but the Rams managed only a total of eight hits themselves in the three games, including a near no-hitter by Goddard senior Michael Matheson in Friday's finale. Senior Edel Legarda lined a single over shortstop with two out in the top of the seventh to spoil the bid.
"We're not getting timely hits when we do have the opportunity to score runs," PHS coach Arturo Ontiveros said.
Portales broke on top with an unearned tally in the first on a run-scoring groundout by senior Kade Gutierrez, but the Rockets promptly responded with two in the bottom half and stayed in front.
Goddard collected eight hits in the contest, with senior Jonathan Silva going 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBIs and senior Cinco Holloway finishing 2-for-3 and driving in a run.
In the opener, Gutierrez gave up four unearned runs in the first but blanked Goddard the rest of the way. He permitted eight hits, walked one and struck out four.
"He gave us a heck of a chance," Ontiveros said of Gutierrez. "He pitched a pretty good game."
Senior Ryan Alsup and Holloway combined on a three-hitter, striking out 13. Sophomore Carson Pfaffenberger homered in the fourth to get the Rams on the board, while senior Noah Swift collected a double.
Seven players combined for Goddard's eight hits. Senior Ross Stokes went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, while Mathison delivered a two-run triple and scored a run.
Portales wraps up the season this week with a series against Lovington (4-17, 0-6). The teams meet in a 5 p.m. single tilt on Thursday at Lovington, then play a 5 p.m. doubleheader the following night at Ram Field.
