Clovis' run in Roswell ends with 12-6 loss to Goddard

The Clovis Wildcats were hoping to head back home Saturday afternoon with a unblemished experience in the Roswell Invitational. Goddard had other plans.

The Rockets improved to 3-0, with a five-run third highlighting a 12-6 victory Saturday.

The loss made it a 2-1 tournament for the Wildcats, who had beaten Lovington and Del Norte the prior two days by a combined 17-0 score.

The pitching and fielding took a 180-degree turn on Saturday, however.

“We just walked too many people today,” Clovis coach Richard Cruce said. “Between hit batters and walks, we gave 14 free bases. It’s hard to win when you give that many bases to them.

“I was proud of the kids today, though. They had a chance to roll over and quit and they didn’t.”

Joseph Ramos led the Wildcats with a 2-for-2 day, including a double and a pair of RBIs, while Matt Lanier went 2-for-3 with an RBI single.

The Wildcats will try to get back on the winning track Tuesday with a 5 p.m. home single game against Portales.

The Class 4A Rams, missing a large contingent of returning players due to the basketball team’s state semifinal run, will be playing in their season opener.