Ruidoso's Brendan Flack slides past the tag of Portales' Derek Robinson to get back to third base during the opener of Tuesday's District 4-3A doubleheader at Ram Field.

The Portales Rams battled from behind twice Tuesday to beat Ruidoso 12-7 in the opener of a District 4-3A baseball doubleheader at Ram Field.

Ruidoso (14-8, 10-2 district) took the second game 9-3, maintaining its slim district lead over the Rams (10-7, 8-2).

In the Warriors took a 4-3 lead with a three-run third, but senior Martin Mendoza’s solo homer in the bottom half tied the score.

In the fourth, Ruidoso junior Raymond Rossitor hit a two-run single to key a three-run outburst that gave the Warriors a 7-4 lead. The Rams came back with four in the fourth to take the lead back, then added one in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Senior Brandon Adkins overcame the two rough innings to get the pitching victory for Portales.

“Our players battled and had a couple of good at bats,” Portales coach Arturo Ontiveros said. “Our pitcher had control issues at times, our young guy freshman David Rodriguez came on to pitch for us. He threw strikes and good things started happening.”

Ruidoso coach Billy Page said Portales gave the Warriors plenty of chances.

“Portales gave us opportunities, we just didn’t take advantage of that. Portales hit the ball really well, our pitcher left a couple of 0-2 pitches up in the strike zone, and they capitalized on them.”

Rodriguez had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh with two outs and managed to get the batter to pop out to end the inning.

In the second game, the Warriors opened a 6-0 lead in the first three innings and the Rams were never able to mount a serious challenge.

Portales is back in action on Saturday, hosting Lovington in an 11 a.m. district twin bill.