Babe Ruth teams bash their way into next week's state tournaments

ELLENSBURG — Moses Lake's three Babe Ruth baseball All-Star teams qualified for state tournament competition in their respective age brackets.

The teams qualified by virtue of strong play at the North Washington District 5/7 Championships, held last Thursday through Sunday at West Ellensburg Park.

"This has been a very successful year for the Babe Ruth League," league president Phil Signorelli said in a press release. "On behalf of the board of directors, we want to thank the family and friends that support these players and the players themselves for putting their hearts into the game of baseball and representing Moses Lake with pride."

The Moses Lake Sun Devils 15-and-under team, managed by Rick Rios, was the most successful, winning all three of its games en route to the district championship.

The Sun Devils opened the six-team, double-elimination district tourney last Friday with a 16-3 waxing of Okanogan Valley. Needing a win Saturday to clinch one of three state berths, Moses Lake got it done with a 4-3 victory over Wenatchee. In Sunday's championship contest, Moses Lake held off Ellensburg 9-8.

The 15-and-under state tournament opens next Thursday, July 12, in Port Angeles. Moses Lake's first game is at 2:30 p.m. that day.

Assistant coaches for the Sun Devils are Smiley Moreno and Mike Rios. The players are Levi Gross, Jared Charpentier, Joey Johnson, Ricco Moreno, Brandon Moreno, Luke Valdez, Austin Sandmann, Ian Lochow, Caleb Cooper, Artey Reyes, Tyler Raymond, Tanner Lowry, Brandon Lublin, Garrett Greninger and Erick Rios.

Moses Lake's 13-and-under All-Stars won twice last Wednesday, opening district play with a 7-3 win over Central Basin and beating Eastmont 11-10 later that day, and went on to place third. Results from the team's other games were unavailable.

The 13-and-under state tournament opens July 12 in Poulsbo.

The 13s are led by manager Mike Dodds and coaches Tony Webb and Jeff Janke. Players are Omar Suarez, Connor Webb, Nico Moreno, Nick Dodds, Alex Fick, Bryton Redal, Corbin Portch, Drake Harden, Connor Hankinson, Nick Laszlo, Devin Juarez, Nick Morales and Nate Martinez.

Moses Lake's 14-and-under All-Stars were already automatic qualifiers for their state tournament, which opens Wednesday, July 11, at Moses Lake's Lauzier Field.

Moses Lake lost its opener last Wednesday, falling 9-3 to Ellensburg. No other results for the team were available. The 14s are coached by Scott Swartz, Tony Hernandez and Rick Raymond. Players include Fidel Cortez, Jacob Yamane, Nathaniel Steffler, Kristopher Gaddis, Anthony Hernandez, Derek Pruneda, Mathew Noyola, Mitchell Hill, Max McDonald, Mathew Adame, Justin Nunez, Brandon Bradley, Taylor LaGrave and Colby Swartz.