Pirates sweep Cardinals in opening series

MOSES LAKE - The 2007 WCCBL League Champion Moses Lake Pirates kicked off their season by sweeping the Cardinals of Tacoma in a three game opening series. It was a beautiful weekend for baseball for both the fans and the players as they started preseason play.

Game one on Friday saw the Pirates pound the Cardinals 12-1. The Pirates scored six runs in the third and never looked back. As a team they bunted for runs, stole bases and saw two players hit by a pitch in the eighth inning.

There was more happening than just the action on the field. Pirates' guest services provided fun and entertainment for fans of all ages. Children played with the Pirate between innings in games like dizzy bat, a game in which two children and the Pirate spin around a bat then try to run the bases, or monster golf, where they hit a giant golf ball as far as they can. Fans couldn't miss the "Moon Walking Pirate" as music plays a major role in the happenings at Larson Playfield.

Game two played on Saturday was a classic battle with the final score being 5-1 in favor of the Pirates.

Game three on Sunday had the Pirates rout the Cardinals 9-3 to close out the opening series. The Pirates made nine runs on six hits with no errors while the Cardinals had three runs on nine hits and six errors.

"It's great to see the young players come together," team owner Brent Kirwan said after the sweep.

The excitement of the moment was tempered by the fact the infielder DC Legg of Murrieta, Calif., had to leave the team due the the fact that he lost his brother to the fighting in Iraq and is expected back later in the season.

"Our hearts go out to his family," owner Amy Kirwan said. "It's a honor to know someone who is serving our country."

First year skipper Trevor Brown has "no complaints" about how the boys played.

"Overall right now we just need to try to get better," he said and added that he expects the team to "make improvements" on a daily basis.

The Pirates are off today and begin a three-day home stand against the Olympia Athletics on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Larson Playfield.