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Rams complete round-robin sweetp

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Junior Zach Blaeser, with seventh-inning help from senior David Rodriguez, blanked Tucumcari after the first inning on Saturday and Portales edged the Rattlers 3-2 to complete a sweep in a four-team, round-robin baseball tournament hosted by West Las Vegas.

The Rams (7-2), who beat the Dons 13-12 on Friday, won their first game on Saturday, a 12-8 decision over Las Vegas Robertson.

Blaeser gave up RBI singles to Esteban Martinez and Justin Garcia in the first inning, but the Rattlers didn't pick up another hit until Travis Garcia singled off Rodriguez in the seventh before he nailed down the save.

Portales, meantime, managed only three hits off Tucumcari's Jordan Walker, but took advantage of six walks. Senior Kyle Bonem drew three of the free passes and scored twice, while Mikey Lovato had a third-inning RBI single.

In the first game, the Rams put together consecutive three-run innings in the second, third and fourth, and Rodriguez again worked the seventh to earn a save. First baseman Ryan Schmidt went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, including a two-run double in the third, while Lovato and Jesus Acosta each picked up a pair of hits for Portales.

Junior Danny Zapata worked 5 1/3 innings for the win, striking out four. The Rams outhit the Cardinals 11-7.

Portales returns to action on Saturday in a District 4-3A triangular at Lovington, facing the Wildcats at 10 a.m. and Ruidoso at noon.