Clovis High Wildcats Defeat Portales High Rams at Sod Poodles' Field

Clovis High's baseball team jumps to an early lead and cruises to an 11-1 victory over Portales High in a game played at the home of the Amarillo Sod Poodles minor league team.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and colors representing the competitive spirit and athletic movements of a high school baseball game.A cubist interpretation of the high-energy action on the baseball diamond as the Clovis High Wildcats defeat the Portales High Rams at the Amarillo Sod Poodles' home field.Clovis Today

Clovis High's baseball team jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back, defeating Portales High 11-1 in a game played at Hodgetown Park, home of the Amarillo Sod Poodles minor league team. Clovis junior Joseph Hernandez went the distance on the mound, allowing just five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Clovis junior Sandro Cordova led the Wildcats' offense, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Why it matters

The win improves Clovis High's record to 11-9 on the season, as they begin their district schedule. Portales High, meanwhile, drops to 7-9 overall and will look to bounce back as they start their own district play.

The details

Clovis High took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning off Portales senior left-hander Carson Pfaffenberger on Sandro Cordova's two-run single and an RBI single from Joseph Hernandez. Hernandez then went the distance on the mound, allowing just five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Cordova led the Wildcats' eight-hit attack, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Victor Moreno added a two-run double in a four-run sixth inning that made the final score 11-1, ending the game via the 10-run rule.

  • The game was played on Thursday night, April 15, 2026.
  • Clovis High began its six-game District 4-5A slate on Tuesday, April 13, 2026 at Carlsbad.

The players

Clovis High

The baseball team from Clovis High School in Clovis, New Mexico.

Portales High

The baseball team from Portales High School in Portales, New Mexico.

Joseph Hernandez

The junior pitcher for Clovis High who went the distance, allowing just five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.

Sandro Cordova

The junior center fielder for Clovis High who led the Wildcats' offense, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Carson Pfaffenberger

The senior left-handed pitcher for Portales High who started the game on the mound.

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What they’re saying

“I was honestly a little worried with Carson on the mound; that's their guy. But we put them behind the 8-ball early.”

— Richard Cruce, Clovis High Head Coach

“He threw great tonight.”

— Richard Cruce, Clovis High Head Coach

What’s next

Clovis High will host Carlsbad in a 5 p.m. game on Friday, April 18, 2026 at Bell Park. Portales High will travel to Artesia for a 5 p.m. single game on Thursday, April 17, 2026 before hosting Artesia in a 5 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This win gives Clovis High momentum as they begin their district schedule, while Portales High will look to rebound as they start their own district play. The game showcased the strong pitching of Clovis junior Joseph Hernandez and the offensive production of Clovis junior Sandro Cordova.