RiverHawks rally past Pirates

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake took a 3-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning Thursday night before the Spokane RiverHawks scored five unanswered runs to sink the Pirates 7-3.

Moses Lake relief pitcher Andy Greenslit walked a Spokane batter with one out in the ninth to load the bases before allowing RiverHawks center fielder Connor Moore to single and tie the contest.

Spokane continued to keep the pressure on Greenslit when Sean Winston hit a two-run double to give the RiverHawks a 5-3 lead. Moses Lake catcher Brent Trask was called for catcher’s interference to load the bases again for the RiverHawks before a ground out forced in another RiverHawks run.

Greenslit issued a bases loaded walk with two-outs and Spokane rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth.

Moses Lake was unable to comeback from the four-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth and the Pirates dropped the first game of their final homestand 7-3 to fall to 9-36 overall.

While Moses Lake stumbled Thursday night, Pirates head coach Steve Keller said he saw signs of encouragement from his team.

“I’m pleased with how we played after having three days off,” he said. “But it’s frustrating when you give up free passes and they come back and bite you.”

Moses Lake starting pitcher Zane Bator threw four innings of no-hit baseball and allowed just two runs before leaving the contest in the top of the eighth with a 3-2 lead. Bator did not factor into the decision.

Though he wasn’t credited with a decision, Keller said his right hander threw well.

“(Bator was) outstanding,” he said. “He has been progressively getting better. I’m very glad to see him perform well in his last start of the season.”

The Pirates broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the third when Moses Lake left fielder Brock Gates singled with one out. Second baseman DC Legg smashed a base hit past third baseman Dylan Gavin.

With runners on first and second, center fielder Richie Allen singled to score Gates for a 1-0 lead.

Moses Lake continued to put the pressure on the RiverHawks, picking up in the fourth inning where they left off in the third.

Moses Lake designated hitter Nick Fuoco singled into the left-center field gap before third baseman Jye Lanphere doubled, scoring Fuoco from first.

Despite taking a 2-0 lead into the fifth, Keller said his team struggled with runners in scoring position.

“We swung the bat well, we just missed getting the clutch base hits,” he said.

Although the Pirates held a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth, the RiverHawks threatened. Spokane loaded the bases with no outs, but Legg and Moses Lake shortstop Chris Casazza turned a double play following a line out to help Bator get out of the inning unscathed.

Spokane finally got to Bator in the top of the sixth when Jason Brunansky stole home to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Pirates scored their final run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh when first baseman Justin Cooper singled to score Allen for a 3-1 lead. Spokane added a run in the top of the eighth before breaking open the contest in the ninth.

Moses Lake returns to the diamond tonight when starting pitcher Tony Smith takes to the hill for the Pirates against the visiting Kelowna Falcons. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.