Portales, West Las Vegas pull split
Staff report
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Getting some reps in at unfamiliar spots was more important to Portales than a chance at a doubleheader sweep.
That’s why Portales was generally pleased when it came out of Las Vegas Thursday night with a split against West Las Vegas.
Behind an eight-run first, Portales (12-5) posted a 16-3 win to extend its winning streak to six games. In a nightcap shortened due to numerous church commitments for Lady Don players, West Las Vegas claimed a 5-4 win in five innings.
“We knew these kids were going to have to leave, so we agreed to play until 6:30,” Portales coach Robbie Crowley said. “I had Francis (Armijo pitching), and I had kids playing positions they don’t normally play. They battled, and that’s all I can ask of the kids.”
Valerie Villanueva went 4-for-7 on the night with a pair of doubles and two runs driven in, while Kailee Ramirez went 1-for-3 and hit a homer in the nightcap for her second longball in three games.
Crowley said Portales will have a brief practice Friday to go over some things before an 11 a.m. Saturday doubleheader at Clovis, a final pre-district tuneup before facing Lovington on the road Tuesday.