Pirates win pitchers' duel; take series lead
Playing for title tonight
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Moses Lake pitcher Marcus Tackett stepped out of his usual reliever's role to start game one of the WCCBL Championship Series Saturday, throwing an impressive seven innings to pick up his first victory of the season and to get his club to within a game of their first ever league championship.
The Pirates defeated the Corvallis Knights 3-2, rallying from a 1-0 Knights lead to tie the game at two and eventually score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning. Moses Lake closer Daniel Wolford got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth with a pair of strikeouts to earn the save and give Moses Lake a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Tackett, making his first start of the season for Moses Lake, gave up just four hits and two runs in his seven innings of work. He was matched pitch for pitch by Corvallis' Matt Way, who went six innings and gave up four hits and two runs as well.
As neither team was able to get much done of the opposing team's starting pitcher, the game would be decided by the bullpen. Corvallis went to Blake Keitzman in the seventh inning, and Moses Lake found the opening they needed.
With the game tied at two in the top of the eighth, Mike Capbarat was hit by a pitch to open the inning. He then advanced to second as Kevin Coddington reached on an error by the Corvallis second baseman.
The swift Capbarat stole third base, and scored on an infield groundout by Zach Hedges to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead.
With Tackett now in position for the win entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Pirates went to their bullpen. Jorge Reyes came on in relief of Tackett, striking out two batters and not allowing a hit in the eighth inning.
First-Team All-WCCBL relief pitcher and league saves leader Daniel Wolford came on to close it out in the ninth, but a walk, a wild pitch on a strike three and an intentional walk loaded the bases. With no empty bases left to put Corvallis hitters, Wolford instead sent them back to the bench, punching out both Josh Hogan and Brett Casey looking to end the game.
Saturday, Corvallis took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, as leadoff man Hogan was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a Casey single.
Moses Lake got their offense going in the fifth inning as Big Bend Community College standout Ryan Bernsen led off with only the second hit of the game for the Pirates. A pair of sacrifices moved Bernsen to third base, and he then scored on a wild pitch.
The Pirates kept it going in the sixth inning, as Steve Tinoco led off the frame with a double. Tinoco, who finished the night 3 for 5 from the plate, then scored on a Zach Hedges single to put Moses Lake up 2-1.
The lead didn't last for long, as Corvallis' Mark Samuelson homered to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. It wasn't enough, though, as Moses Lake once again rallied for a late victory.
Moses Lake returns to Larson Field tonight needing to win just once at home against the Knights to wrap up the WCCBL title.
Should they find a way to do so, it would be the first win of the season at home against Corvallis. In late June, Corvallis gave Moses Lake its first three losses of the year in sweeping the Pirates at Larson Field. Moses Lake took two of three games from the Knights in Corvallis, giving the Knights a 4-2 edge during the regular season.
However, the Pirates have now won three straight from Corvallis including Saturday's game, and hope to make it four in a row Monday night.
Scheduled to start for Corvallis is Eric Messingham, who is 2-2 on the season with a 2.32 ERA. On July 5 in Corvallis, Moses Lake defeated the Knights with Messingham on the mound, as Dale Reneau outdueled the Corvallis starter for a 4-2 Pirates win.
Tonight's first pitch is scheduled for 7:30, with gates at Larson Field opening at 6:30.