Moses Lake edges Suns
Pam Robel/Columbia Basin Herald<br>Jhenesis Garza pitches against Southridge Saturday.
Lady Chiefs earn a single run to oust Suns
RICHLAND — Moses Lake battled to a 1-0 victory over Southridge Saturday.
Both teams battled evenly through seven innings of play with several sides ending in three up, three out at bats.
In the bottom of the sixth some controversy erupted on a bunt single by Shayla May.
Kirstin Gamboa was the lead-off batter in the sixth for Moses Lake and was walked before being advanced to second on May's bunt.
May was initially called safe. May rounded first as the Southridge first baseman tagged the bag extension. After discussing the initial call with the home plate umpire the call was changed to an out.
After further review with tournament organizers, coaches from both Southridge and Moses Lake and all three umpires, the call was maintained as an out and teams resumed play.
Shawnee Durbin was tagged out at first for the second out of the inning but was able to advance Gamboa to third during the at bat.
Shalayne Hunter came to the plate with Gamboa on third and two outs.
Gamboa slid home on a wild pitch by Southridge for the only run of the game and the 1-0 victory.
Jhenesis Garza, pitching for the Lady Chiefs, finished off the Suns in the top of the seventh striking out the first batter and being backed up by the Moses Lake defense with plays made in right field and at first.
Moses Lake had an opportunity to end the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Chelsea Allsbrook got the ball rolling for the Lady Chiefs. With one out, she singled to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jayme Albrant.
Heather Coulter came in for her first at bat of the game and was intentionally walked by Southridge.
With two runners on, Vanessa Hernandez took a pitch to the hip to load the bases for Moses Lake.
Crystal Mabry came to the plate with the bases loaded and three runners on, but was not able to get around the Suns' left fielder and recorded the final out of the inning.
The Lady Chiefs lost their second game of the day 8-0 to Kamiakin to fall out of tournament play.