Lady Cats post split at Moriarty

Staff report

MORIARTY —Clovis High’s softball team hit its way past Moriarty in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader.

In the second game, the Lady Wildcats simply couldn’t get the big hit.

Senior Mariah Chavez hit a leadoff home run to start a game-breaking four-run sixth in Clovis’ 13-7 first game win, but the Lady Cats stranded 12 runners in Game 2 in absorbing an 11-3 setback from the Pintos.

Moriarty (12-4) pounded out 31 hits in the two games, but couldn’t fully recover after the Lady Cats (5-8) put four runs on the board in the top of the first.

CHS coach Freddy Perez said it was a bit disappointing not to come away with two wins, although he acknowledged Moriarty is a pretty good team.

“We expect to get two wins every time we play (a doubleheader),” he said. “They (Pintos) hit pretty well in both games, to be honest.”

The Lady Cats led 8-7 when Chavez hit her home run, and senior Gisela Aburto added a two-run double later in the inning.

Clovis pounded out 17 hits in the game, with Chavez and sophomore Jazmyne Lafever both going 3-for-4. Junior Kodie Aceves, who pitched complete games for the Pintos in both ends of the twin bill, led a 15-hit attack in the opener as she went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs.

In the second game, Moriarty scored three times in the first, then made it 8-2 with a five-run third.

Aceves hit a two-run homer for the Pintos, who banged out 16 hits. Catcher Alyssa Turbeville had three of the Lady Cats’ nine hits.

Clovis returns to action on Saturday in a 1 p.m. contest against Portales at Lady Wildcat Field.