Portales freshman catcher Simi Laurenz beats the tag of West Las Vegas pitcher Marrisa Cordova to score on a wild pitch during the first inning of Saturday's doubleheader opener at PHS.

Liliana Castillo: Freedom New Mexico Portales freshmen catcher Simi Laurenz and Franny Armijo prepare to take off from third base and second base, respectively, in Saturday's opener of a doubleheader against West Las Vegas at PHS.

Riding strong pitching from junior Kelsey Laurenz, the Portales Lady Rams swept a softball doubleheader from West Las Vegas on Saturday at PHS, winning 8-3 and 2-0.

Laurenz pitched her second shutout of the season in the nightcap and did not allow a Lady Dons run over the final 12 innings.

“I’m happy with the way the kids are playing,” PHS coach Robbie Crowley said. “Theres such a good chemistry with the team, it’s been really nice.”

Portales (5-3) managed only five hits off West Las Vegas pither Marrisa Cordova in the second game, but managed to push single runs across in the second and fifth innings.

Both were unearned, the result of leadoff walks to Laurenz and Olivas. Laurenz came home on an error while Olivas crossed the plate on a passed ball.

Laurenz allowed four hits, walked two and struck out nine.

In the opener, the Lady Rams had four two-run innings to take control behind Laurenz, who walked two and struck out seven in that one.

“Kelsey is throwing really well,” Crowley said. “Today, she actually got stronger in the second game.”

Portales tied the score 2-2 in the bottom of the first on a two-run double by Laurenz, then took a 4-3 lead in the second when her sister, Simi Laurenz, hit a sacrifice fly and freshman Franny Armijo added a run-scoring single.

The Lady Rams tacked on two insurance runs in both the third and fifth innings. They finished the game with eight hits off Cordove, with Armijo going 2-for-3 and Simi Laurenz and junior Sori Flores both finishing 2-for-4.

Senior Gabby Garcia drove in a fifth-inning run with ah RBI single.

With spring break on tap this week, the Lady Rams host Loving in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.