Pirates take two of three from RiverHawks

MOSES LAKE — The 20th time proved to be the charm for Moses Lake as the Pirates knocked off West Coast League (WCL) rival Spokane 3-1 Friday night for their first win of the season.

After starting the 2009 WCL campaign 0-19, the Pirates were able to put a pair in the win column over the weekend, taking two games of a three-game series with the Spokane RiverHawks.

Moses Lake’s first win of the season came in the final game of the Pirates’ nine-game road trip Friday night.

The Pirates took the momentum from Friday’s victory into Sunday’s contest, turning it in to a 10-2 win.

Moses Lake head coach Steve Keller said he was proud of his team after Sunday night’s victory.

“We won a series,” he said. “Baseball is a game of momentum in your mind and in your sticks. This builds great momentum heading into the week.”

Moses Lake dominated Columbia Basin Herald night at Larson Playfield from the opening pitch and the Pirates won their first game of the season at home. Keller said it was satisfying to get a win at Larson Playfield.

“The fans are awesome,” Keller said. “I would like to thank the (Columbia Basin Herald) for sponsoring tonight’s game.”

Brandon Rohde controlled the defensive tempo on the mound for the Pirates and the entire Moses Lake offense rallied to get the win.

Rhode kept the RiverHawks off of the base paths through his first four innings of work and kept Spokane hitless through three innings.

While Rohde was confident on the mound, the Pirates offense attacked early.

Moses Lake jumped on Spokane starting pitcher Tyler Olson, scoring three first-inning runs. The Pirates capitalized on four hits in the first to take a 3-0 lead.

Moses Lake remained opportunistic in the bottom of the second inning when designated hitter Brian Pullen drew a lead-off walk.

Pullen and the Pirates took advantage of two Spokane errors in the inning to take a 4-0 lead.

Rohde continued to keep the RiverHawks off of the scoreboard in the third while the Moses Lake offense continued to provide Rohde a cushion.

Rohde threw seven innings Sunday night to earn the win and Keller said his left hander was impressive.

“Rohde was awesome tonight,” Keller said. “That’s what we needed.”

Rohde walked just one batter in seven innings before Keller turned to right-handed reliever Tony Smith to close out the game for the Pirates.

Smith pitched well in relief of Rohde, Keller said.

“Tony Smith threw the eighth and ninth and pitched great,” Keller said. “It was good to see him in a role with a chance to be successful.”

The Pirates added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third after right fielder Zane Bator led off the inning with a single. Shortstop Chris Casazza followed with a single of his own to give Moses Lake two base runners.

Bator and Casazza each went 2-for-4 for the Pirates in the win.

Moses Lake’s first run of the third came when third baseman Nick Fuoco hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Bator from third and moving Casazza over from second. Casazza gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead when he scored on a single up the middle from first baseman Justin Cooper.

Moses Lake continued to pour it on Spokane in the early innings, scoring in each of the first five to take a commanding 9-0 lead.

Keller said his offense took control early Sunday night and hopes they can maintain the momentum of their first series win of the season.

“We got a couple (runs) early so we could be loose and more aggressive,” he said. “Hopefully the success comes in bunches and we can keep looking forward.”

Moses Lake improved to 2-20 with the victory.

The Pirates were one game removed from Friday night’s 3-1 victory over the RiverHawks.

Moses Lake starting pitcher John Robinson broke a four-game losing streak of his own Friday night to earn his first victory of the season. Robinson kept the RiverHawks off balance for seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits.

While Robinson was dominant on the mound for the Pirates Friday, the Moses Lake offense provided some breathing room.

Moses Lake battled through a scoreless first and second before ultimately getting to Spokane starting pitcher Garret Luippold in the top of the third.

With one out for the Pirates in the third, Moses Lake left fielder Jye Lanphere got a hold of a pitch from Luippold, driving it over the fence for a 1-0 Moses Lake lead.

After the Pirates took the first lead of the contest, Robinson remained dominant until the fifth inning.

Spokane struggled against Robinson all evening but the RiverHawks managed to capitalize on a pair of hits and a Moses Lake error to pull even at 1-1.

Although Robinson gave up a run in the fifth, the Moses Lake offense went back to work in the sixth.

Casazza hit a one-out single for the Pirates before promptly stealing second base. Fuoco singled, moving Casazza to third. Moses Lake catcher Brent Trask then sacrificed himself to the pitcher to score Casazza and the Pirates regained the lead at 2-1.

Moses Lake relief pitcher Mike Herman came on in relief of Robinson in the bottom of the eighth and kept Spokane hitless in two innings of work and the Pirates ended their 19-game losing streak with the 3-1 victory.

Moses Lake dropped the middle game of the three-game series with Spokane 3-0 Saturday afternoon.