Moses Lake splits with Kennewick

MOSES LAKE — After dropping the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader with Kennewick 4-2, the Moses Lake Chiefs rallied for a 16-2 victory in game two.

Moses Lake’s split with Kennewick dropped the Chiefs to 8-2 in the Columbia Basin Big Nine’s Columbia Division and into second place behind Southridge. Southridge is 5-1 in conference play and was idle Tuesday, Moses Lake head coach Dave Gregory said.

Although the Chiefs struggled offensively in the first game of the doubleheader, Gregory said his team came alive at the plate in the second.

“In the first game we were more concerned with the cold weather and the second game we were hitting the ball,” he said.

The Chiefs jumped on the Lions in the second game when Moses Lake senior catcher Shelby Gonzales blasted a three-run home run over the fence at Larson Playfield to put the Chiefs ahead 3-0.

“Gonzales hit a three-run homer that kind of started the ball game off,” Gregory said. “That three-run shot messed up their pitcher and then we just poured it on.”

Gonzales finished game two with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with a home run and four RBIs. Candace Vela finished the day with a 6-for-8 performance, including 3-for-4 with three RBIs in game two.

With the doubleheader split, the Chiefs moved into second place and Gregory is hopeful his team can claim at least a share of the division lead.

“Second is about the worst we can get,” he said. “Kennewick still has to play Southridge so we are in good shape.”