Pirates to host Kitsap BlueJackets tonight

MOSES LAKE — After starting the 2009 West Coast League (WCL) season 0-19, the Moses Lake Pirates enter tonight’s series opener with the Kitsap BlueJackets having won two of their last three games.

Moses Lake relied on strong pitching performances over the weekend to take two of three from the Spokane RiverHawks.

Moses Lake head coach Steve Keller said his team played well in their series win over Spokane.

“For those three games (against Spokane) we were above .500,” he said. “In baseball anything above .500 is good and we look forward to the momentum that brings.”

The Pirates broke their 19-game losing streak Friday night in Spokane, Wash., when starting pitcher John Robinson (1-4) allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings to record his first win of the season.

Spokane was able to bounce back from Friday night’s loss to knock off the Pirates 3-0 Saturday afternoon at Larson Playfield.

Moses Lake scored in each of the first five innings of Sunday’s rubber match with Spokane, taking a 9-0 lead midway through the contest and holding on for a 10-2 victory.

With the Pirates heading into tonight’s contest with the Kitsap BlueJackets, Keller will turn to Moses Lake native Zane Bator to take control of the game on the mound.

“(Bator) has done well for us,” he said. “He has given us five to six innings almost every time out.”

Bator has struggled to begin WCL play but Keller said his right hander is finding his rhythm on the mound.

“Some of his mishaps (this season) have come from not pitching the entire school year at Liberty University (in Virginia),” Keller said. “He has done well for us on the mound and beyond.”

Although the Pirates have dropped 20 of their first 22 games, the Moses Lake offense has proven to be powerful this season.

Moses Lake, as a team, ranks tied with the Bend Elks for second in the WCL in home runs this season with eight. Only the Kelowna Falcons (10) have hit more home runs than the Pirates.

Moses Lake shortstop Chris Casazza is leading the way offensively for the Pirates this season. Casazza is leading the WCL and the Pirates in home runs with four while third baseman Nick Fuoco is tied for third with two.

Moses Lake is capable of scoring runs offensively and Keller said his team is capable of winning more ball games.

“If you are a fan, you should come down and watch (them),” he said. “There are some pretty good swings. We can hit the ball out of the yard but we need the confidence when we step up to the plate. Hopefully we can get that rolling for a while.” 

Jye Lanphere (1) and Justin Cooper (1) have also homered for the Pirates this season.

Lanphere’s first home run of the season came during Friday’s 3-1 win over the RiverHawks. Lanphere was able to get a hold of a pitch from Spokane starting pitcher Garrett Luippold with one out in the top of the third inning to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

The first pitch for tonight’s contest is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and Keller said his team is capable of taking their second consecutive series of the season against visiting Kitsap.

“Kitsap has been an average team in the WCL,” he said. “Hopefully we will put on a show for the fans.”