Defensive miscues hand Bend sweep

Elks 5 Pirates 4

BEND, Ore. — Defense has been a strong suit for the Moses Lake Pirates this summer, but in Sunday night's series finale at Bend, it was a hindrance.

Up 3-1 in the sixth inning, Moses Lake's defense committed two errors that led to three unearned runs for the Elks. Moses Lake tied the score an inning later, but eventually gave up the game-winning run in the eighth for a 5-4 loss.

The victory gave Bend (13-8) a sweep of the three-game set and moved the Elks into a tie for first place in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League's West Division. Moses Lake (14-7) leads the East Division by five games over Wenatchee, heading into the start of a three-game series with the AppleSox on Tuesday.

In the fateful sixth, Bend's Vaughn Prow singled and Chase Powell was hit by a pitch. Moses Lake's Lee Roberts relieved starter Tyler Rogers, but an error by shortstop Zach Hedges brought Bend within 3-2.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Marcus Tackett's miscue at second base allowed Bend's Drew George and D.J. Gentile to score, putting the Elks ahead for the first time.

The Pirates answered in the top of the seventh as Michael Ratigan and Hedges reached to start the frame. A sacrifice bunt from Kevin Coddington moved both men into scoring position, and Jesse Ayala stroked a single to plate Ratigan.

But Bend got the decisive run in the eighth against Roberts (1-1), who allowed two runs on two hits and three walks in the final 2 2/3 innings. Pinch hitter Jeff Arbayo's single scored Koa Kahalhoe from second.

Moses Lake grabbed an early 2-0 lead off Elk starter Marco Grifantini. In the second, Billy Swanson's RBI single scored Mike Capbarat from third. One inning later, the Pirates benefited from shortstop George's error, as Coddington's groundout to third plated Steve Tinoco.

The Elks trimmed the lead in their half of the third off Rogers. Leadoff man Sean Anderson walked and stole second, then scored on Derek Poppert's sac fly to left field.

Rogers went 5 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Bend's Brian Pearl (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

The Pirates are back in action tonight at Wenatchee Valley Community College. Game time is 7 p.m.

Pirates owner Brent Kirwan said Monday that nine Moses Lake players have been selected for the WCCBL All-Star Game, July 17 in Bellingham — the highest representation for any of the eight teams.

Starting pitchers Josh Fish (3-0, 1.06 ERA), Dale Reneau (3-0, 1.19) and Michael Ratigan (1-1, 1.38) were chosen, along with reliever Lee Roberts (1-1, 1.04, one save).

Position players selected include outfielder Steve Tinoco (.347 average, 8 RBIs); infielders Zach Kim (.329, 8 RBIs, eight stolen bases), Zach Hedges (.385) and Jesse Ayala (.257, 10 RBIs); and catcher Kevin Coddington (6 RBIs, 1.000 fielding percentage).