Pirates find formula for returning to win column

Pirates 6 RiverHawks 2

MOSES LAKE — "Comedy of errors" is an overused cliche in sports.

But it's about the only way to describe the Spokane RiverHawks' defensive performance Monday night at Larson Field, a disastrous sixth inning in particular when the Moses Lake Pirates sewed up a 6-2 victory in West Coast Collegiate Baseball League action.

Moses Lake scored four runs in the decisive sixth inning, all unearned thanks to four Spokane errors. The RiverHawks' defense committed six errors on the night.

Still, it wasn't just Spokane's circus act that improved Moses Lake's WCCBL record to 7-3 and gave the Pirates a three-game lead over Spokane in the East Division. The Pirates did plenty of work of their own, piling up 11 hits, a nice number for a team that struggled with the bats during a recent three-game sweep versus Corvallis.

"Some people might look at that scoreboard and say, 'Hey, they got six errors' and that's why we got six runs," Pirates head coach Gabe Boruff said. "Eleven hits, you can never complain."

With the score tied at 1-1, Steve Tinoco opened the Pirates' sixth with a walk against Hawk starter Aaron Guinn. After a fielder's choice groundout, Steve Swinford reached on Spokane shortstop Bryan Horst's fielding error, putting runners at first and third with one out.

Moses Lake's next batter, Ryan Bernsen, slapped one at Horst, who tried to gun down Tinoco at the plate. His throw was wild and Moses Lake led 2-1.

Kevin Dickey relieved Guinn, but Zach Kim greeted him with a solidly stroked two-run single to center field, making it 4-1.

Moses Lake's final run of the frame came when Mike Capbarat's chopper to third baseman Jackson Evans was thrown wide of first base, allowing Kim to trot home.

Kim, who came into Monday's game with a team-high .323 batting average, went 4 for 5 with a run scored, two runs batted in and a stolen base. In Boruff's eyes, he's certainly solidified the Pirates' leadoff position.

"He is the guy. He's my leadoff guy," Boruff said. "He gets on base, he can run, he can steal. …When you have a kid like that, they're irreplaceable."

Kim, who just finished his sophomore season at the University of San Francisco, has put in some extra pre-game work that seems to be paying off.

"You go through times where you're just not feeling good at all," Kim said. "I've been coming early every day, working every day with coach (Boruff). He's working with my timing a lot so I'm just trying to get in there and not think about anything and swing the bat."

Moses Lake starter Josh Fish pitched six strong innings for the win. Fish allowed one earned run on three hits, mixing in four strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter.

Guinn took the loss for Spokane (4-6), surrendering seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Only one of the four runs charged to Guinn was earned.

Spokane took a 1-0 lead in the second. Michael Hur reached on a leadoff single and stole second, then scored on a double steal with Tyson Van Winkle.

The Pirates tied it one inning later as Kim beat out an infield hit and moved to second on Billy Swanson's bunt. A wild pitch moved Kim to third and he scored as Capbarat popped a single into shallow center off Horst's glove.

Moses Lake's sixth run was also unearned. In the eighth, Kim stroked his fourth hit and stole second with one out. Spokane's first baseman dropped a throw following Marcus Tackett's ground ball and allowed Kim to score.

Tackett and Daniel Wolford pitched well in relief, allowing one run in the final three innings. Wolford struck out the side in the ninth.

The win brought a welcome end to Moses Lake's three-game losing streak and, hopefully, the start to another six-game win streak like the Pirates had to open league play.

"I think our three games against Corvallis were a little frustrating," Kim said. "We didn't get blown out by any means, but we just didn't play good baseball."

Tyler Rogers takes the mound for Moses Lake Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. as the Pirates and RiverHawks play game two. The series shifts to Spokane's Avista Stadium for game three Wednesday night.

Pirates owner Brett Kirwan confirmed Sunday that three players — Zoey Angulo, Oliver Palmer and Levi Cheshire — were released due to on-field performance issues. Angulo and Palmer have already left the team, while Cheshire, a native of Troy, Mich., will remain on the roster until his family is able to bring him home.