Surging Walleyes sweep twinbill

by Neil Pierson<br>Herald Sports Reporter
| July 13, 2007 9:00 PM

KENNEWICK — The Moses Lake Walleyes continued to solidify their hold on a Junior American Legion baseball playoff spot, sweeping the Kennewick Bandits at Southridge High School on Wednesday.

The Walleyes moved to 12-8 in league play with the sweep and have four regular-season games remaining before the playoffs begin July 26.

Moses Lake won the opener 7-2 behind pitcher Drew Martin's fourth straight solid start. After the Walleyes scored twice in the top of the first, the Bandits responded with two of their own in the bottom half. That was all the hosts would manage against Martin, who lasted six innings, scattered 10 hits and struck out three.

The game remained tied until the fourth, when Moses Lake scored three times to take a 5-2 lead. The Walleyes added one in the sixth and another in the seventh for the final margin.

Moses Lake totaled nine hits, with Josh Martinez, Tyler Sage and Dylan Signorelli picking up two apiece.

The Walleyes also played tremendous defense, committing no errors and turning three double plays behind Martin. Chris Jackson pitched the seventh inning to close things out.

In the nightcap, Moses Lake struck early and often before going on to win 9-4. Troy Stephens got the complete-game win for the Walleyes, striking out six while coughing up three walks and six hits.

Moses Lake led 2-1 after the first inning, then widened the gap to 7-1 with three in the third and two in the fourth. Kennewick scored three times in the fourth to make it 7-4, but the Walleyes scored two more in the fifth and Stephens shut the door from there.

Moses Lake had 10 hits. Blaine Myers was 2 for 3 with two runs driven in. Kurt Hickman was also 2 for 3 with one RBI and Brock Lybbert finished 2 for 4.

The Walleyes used their speed to enhance their offense, stealing six bases in game two.

On Thursday, Moses Lake began a four-day tournament at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. The team returns to league play next Wednesday, returning to the Tri Cities to face the Kennewick Phantoms in a 5 p.m. doubleheader.