Wenatchee slides past Moses Lake in extra innings

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Pirates remained winless this season following a 2-1 loss to the visiting Wenatchee AppleSox in 10 innings in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday night.

Moses Lake dropped the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader 12-5 before the second game went deep into the desert night.

Moses Lake starting pitcher Billy Armstrong kept the AppleSox off balance for 6 2/3 innings in game two Wednesday night, allowing just one run on four hits.

Pirates manager Steve Keller said his starting pitcher performed well Wednesday night.

“Billy did awesome,” he said. “He pitched really well.”

Armstrong struck out five AppleSox over his six-plus innings of work and he said he felt confident heading into his first start of the season for the Pirates.

“I felt like I had good pop on my fastball,” he said. “I felt confident in the way I was throwing.”

Armstrong kept the AppleSox off of the scoreboard for the first three innings before Wenatchee took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning.

The AppleSox managed to jump on the Pirates in the fourth inning when Wenatchee shortstop Cam Schiller singled to lead off the inning.

Armstrong recovered to strike out Kris Henderson and Maxx Garrett to record the first two outs of the inning. Schiller stole second base for the AppleSox and Ashton Kent singled to break up the scoreless tie and Wenatchee took their first lead of the contest.

Armstrong recovered to strike out Royce Bollinger to end the inning.

Although Armstrong surrendered a run in the top of the fourth, his performance on the mound allowed the Pirates to stay close to Wenatchee.

“I tried to turn the ship around so to speak,” he said. “I knew what I had to do. Coach has been talking about getting zoned-in at the start of the game. I just got in the zone and I felt great.”

While Armstrong pitched well for the Pirates, Wenatchee pitchers Zach Gallagher and Alex Capual combined to hold Moses Lake to just one hit — a lead-off single from second baseman DC Legg through six innings.

Armstrong continued to keep the Pirates close before Moses Lake found themselves in what could be their final at bat of the evening.  With Wednesday’s  doubleheader, both games were scheduled for seven innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Chris Casazza walked to lead off the inning for the Pirates.

First baseman Justin Cooper and designated hitter Zane Bator followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases for the Pirates.

After the Pirates loaded the bases with no outs, Wenatchee relief pitcher Reedy Berg struck out the next two batters before catcher Brent Trask stepped up to the plate.

Trask hit the ball to Kent at third who committed an error and the Pirates pulled even at 1-1. Moses Lake failed to produce another run with the bases loaded and the game went to extra innings.

Moses Lake relief pitcher Tony Smith took over for Armstrong with two outs in the top of the seventh and finished out the game for the Pirates.

Armstrong said Smith’s performance was encouraging.

“Tony came in and backed (what I did) up,” he said. “That was awesome. It was great to see that.”

Smith followed Armstrong’s performance on the mound with a solid one of his own, holding the AppleSox to just two hits and a run in 3 1/3 innings.

After two extra innings, Wenatchee took their second lead of the contest in the top of the 10th when Schiller doubled to score Trent Bridges from second.

The run gave the AppleSox a 2-1 advantage and Jesse Moore wrapped up his third inning of no-hit baseball as Wenatchee completed the sweep with a 2-1 victory.