Kitsap sinks Pirates

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake starting pitcher Kacy Gardiner threw five innings of no-hit baseball Wednesday night, but Kitsap rallied late for a 2-1 victory at Larson Playfield.

Moses Lake jumped on Kitsap in the bottom of the fourth inning when Peter Estes scored on a sacrifice fly from Nick Fuoco to take a 1-0 lead before Kitsap rallied for two runs in the top of the eighth to claim the victory.

The loss dropped Moses Lake to 2-22 overall while the BlueJackets improved to 9-13. 

Gardiner was superb in 6 1/3 innings of work, allowing just one hit and keeping the BlueJackets scoreless. Despite the strong outing, Gardiner didn’t earn a decision.

Moses Lake head coach Steve Keller said his starter was impressive.

”Kacy Gardiner pitched five innings of no-hit baseball,” he said. “He threw very well.”

Gardiner took a no-hitter into the top of the sixth inning before allowing a Kitsap base hit.

Although the BlueJackets managed to break up Gardiner’s bid for a no-hitter, the right hander remained composed.

“I wasn’t really paying attention (to the no-hitter),” he said. “When I did give up a hit, I wasn’t flustered. I knew I still had the shut out.”

While Gardiner was impressive in the start, he said he couldn’t have pitched well without defensive support.

“I had some good defensive plays behind me,” he said. “Brock (Gates) made some good plays in left (field).”

The Pirates took their 1-0 advantage into the top of the eighth inning before Kitsap rallied.

The BlueJackets took advantage of a bases loaded double to claim the victory, Keller said.

“Walks beat us,” he said. “The walks and one hit. Other than that it was a good game. We had guys on base, e just didn’t get the hit with runners on.”

Moses Lake wraps up their three-game series with Kitsap tonight and Keller said his needs to respond.

“Show up ready to work,” Keller said he told his team after Wednesday night’s loss. “They are a beatable team. We have to get locked in pitch by pitch.”