ROSWELL — Clovis High’s baseball team got off to a flying start in the opener of Thursday’s doubleheader at Roswell High. The Wildcats overcame a slow start in the second game.

Senior second baseman Omar Sosa went 7-for-10, including 5-for-5 in the opener, and junior Matt Southard added five hits and homered in each game as the Cats collected 34 hits and cruised past the Coyotes 13-3 and 16-6. The first game went six innings, ending early on the 10-run rule.

Senior left-hander Brandon Gilliard benefited from the first-game eruption, pitching a complete-game four hitter with nine strikeouts. Meantime, Southard’s three-run homer capped a four-run third that gave Clovis an 11-2 cushion.

First-year CHS coach Greg Hill said he liked most of what he saw.

“Life’s a lot better when you win,” he said. “We kind of had our backs to the wall, but we had some kids step up.

“We have to play that way every out, every pitch.”

Senior first baseman Parker Wood went 4-for-5 in the opener, while senior shortstop Emery Sierra added three hits and three RBIs to the 20-hit attack.

In the second game, junior center fielder Gabriel Garcia hit a two-run double in Roswell High’s five-run second, staking the Coyotes (5-15) to a 6-0 lead.

Southard kicked off an eight-run fourth with a two-run homer, and later added an RBI double in the inning. In between, Wood belted a three-run triple.

Jordan Hill’s two-run single keyed a five-run fifth, and the Cats were able to cruise from there.

Senior Jake Burrell relieved starter Lane Drake in the second inning and threw five no-hit innings, walking two and striking out eight. Wood struck out the side in the seventh, allowing two singles.

“Brandon threw really well (in the opener),” Greg Hill said. “Jake was lights-out today; he threw his curveball real well, and that set up his fastball for his out pitch.”

Hill, Sosa, Wood, Southard, Burrell and senior Johnny Garcia all had two hits in the nightcap for the Cats.

“Omar started hitting the ball like he can,” Greg Hill said. “And I can’t say enough good things about Matt (Southard). He came out a little late, but he just goes out and keeps his mouth shut and competes.”

Garcia went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Coyotes.

The Cats begin District 4-5A competition on Tuesday, hosting Hobbs in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at Bell Park.