Moses Lake stings Kitsap BlueJackets

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Pirates avoided a sweep at the hands of the Kitsap BlueJackets with a 6-4 win Thursday night at Larson Playfield.

Moses Lake starting pitcher Mike Herrmann threw seven innings of one-run baseball to help the Pirates improve to 3-22 this season.

Herrmann dominated Kitsap Thursday night and Moses Lake head coach Steve Keller was impressed with his performance.

“Mike Herrmann pitched very well for us,” Keller said. “He was able to get that first strike and contact early. He didn’t go deep into batters and we were able to get our at-bats in every 10 minutes.”

The Pirates were able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third when center fielder Peter Kelly led off the inning with a walk and scored on left fielder Jye Lanphere’s sacrifice fly.

Although the Pirates took the first lead of the ball game, the BlueJackets pulled even with Moses Lake in the top of the fourth. Kitsap’s run in the fourth was the only run Herrmann allowed Thursday night.

Herrmann pitched well in his first start of the season for the Pirates and he said his defense helped him earn the win.

“I was a little nervous because it was my first start,” he said. “I felt like I kept my composure. I kept the ball low and got early strikes. The defense took care of some balls tonight and got me out of some innings.”

While the BlueJackets pulled even in the top of the fourth, the Pirates reclaimed their one-run lead in the bottom of the inning.

Herrmann continued to keep the BlueJackets offense at bay throughout his seven innings, but the Pirates offense couldn’t give the righty any breathing room until the sixth.

With runners on first and third with one out, Kelly singled up the middle to help break open a 2-1 ball game. Kelly’s single gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Moses Lake added another run in the inning to take a 4-1 advantage.

The Pirates continued to add to their lead in the seventh when Justin Cooper tried to steal second base with runners on first and third.

Cooper took off for second base, drawing the throw from the Kitsap catcher while designated hitter Nick Fuoco broke for home. Cooper slid safely into second while Fuoco scored. Cooper made his way to third on the play and scored on a wild pitch to give the Pirates the 6-1 lead.

Moses Lake’s Tony Smith came on in ninth to close out the game for the Pirates to record the save.

The Pirates will begin a three-game series tonight with the Bellingham Bells at Larson Playfield. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.