Lady Cats earn district split at Alamo

Staff report

ALAMOGORDO — A.J. Wright pretty much took matters into her own hands in Friday’s District 4-6A softball opener against Alamogordo.

Wright put Clovis High ahead with a second-inning grand slam and pitched a complete-game five-hitter as the Lady Wildcats beat Alamo 5-1, ending a seven-game losing streak and giving them their first district victory.

The Lady Tigers rallied to win the second game 5-3, going ahead on a three-right homer in the fifth inning by senior Chelsea Carroll.

Clovis (7-13, 1-5 district) also got a solo home run from senior catcher Stephanie Gulley in the third inning of the opener after the Lady Tigers (14-6, 4-2) scored in the first on a walk, two stolen bases and a passed ball.

“We led the majority of the two games, but (the second one) just kind of got away from us,” CHS coach Freddy Perez said. “A.J. did outstanding tonight. She pitched like a veteran.”

Senior shortstop Ashley Gallagher had two singles and a double in the opener for Clovis, which finished with seven hits.

The second game seesawed until the fifth. Clovis took a 3-2 lead in the top of the inning on Wright’s RBI double, but Carroll’s blast in the bottom half turned out to be the difference.

Wright also went the distance in that one, allowing just five hits. Junior third baseman Mariah Chavez went 2-for-3 for the Lady Cats, including an RBI single in the third inning.

The Lady Cats’ next outing is next Friday in a district doubleheader at Carlsbad, set to begin at 4 p.m.