Chiefs dominate Kamiakin in doubleheader

MOSES LAKE — Making routine plays is something any team should do, but it wasn't so for the Kamiakin Braves as the Moses Lake Chiefs swept them aside 9-3 and 8-0 in a non-league doubleheader Friday.

Moses Lake committed just one error in 14 innings, compared to seven errors in 12 innings for the Braves. It turned what should have been a competitive matchup into a rout for the home-standing Chiefs.

"That's something we've been working on," said Moses Lake coach Ed McNamara of his team's ability to field the ball. "The guys have done a nice job."

Kamiakin did not do a nice job, missing plays and making errors in every way imaginable. The Braves had wild pitches and passed balls, throws sailed wide of both the first and third basemen, and a dropped ball by the catcher on a play at the plate would have been an out.

"How many spectacular plays have to be made?" asked McNamara. "If we can make the routine play, we're going to be successful."

Success came for the Chiefs not only in the field, but at the plate as well. Seven Moses Lake batters posted multi-hit games Friday, helping the Chiefs churn out 21 hits during the twinbill. Moses Lake used 17 singles and four doubles to turn the base paths into a revolving door of pinstriped players.

"We came out and hit the ball well," said McNamara. "I was really pleased with our bats. Everybody had some part in the wins, everybody contributed."

Brett Fredericksen led the Moses Lake hit parade, going 3 for 6 with a pair of walks, four RBIs and two runs scored against the Braves Friday.

The Chiefs scored multiple runs in five of their 12 innings at the plate, including a six-run explosion in the second inning of game two in which eight consecutive Chiefs came to the plate and six scored without an out.

Aaron Morice and Corey Hitchcock each went 3 for 4 in the first game, with Morice driving in a pair of runs.

Game one saw the Chiefs play decent defense, allowing nine Braves' hits and giving up three runs. Despite Kamiakin's ability to put the ball into play, Moses Lake limited the damage by turning three double plays in the game. One, which came after Moses Lake's only error of the day in the third inning, helped limit the Braves to a single run after the visitors put two runners on with no outs. Another came in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded, putting the brakes on a potential Kamiakin rally.

The second half of the doubleheader was a different story, with Moses Lake pitchers Hitchcock and Chase Hunter holding the Braves potent offense to just two hits and no runs through six innings. Matt Valdez came on in the seventh to strike out the side, the final punch-out coming with the bases loaded.

"They've got some good hitters," said McNamara. "Hats off to the pitchers for keeping them off balance."

Hitchcock struck out four batters in four innings of work, allowing just one hit and no walks.

"Corey came in and overpowered those guys," said the Moses Lake coach of his game two starter. "He was able to throw it by guys."

"The other guys came in and threw strikes," McNamara added.