Pirates take opener at Cowlitz; Rosetti shines
The batting of Trent Johnson (University of Utah) was one of many factors in last night's 3-1 Moses Lake Pirates win against the host Cowlitz Black Bears on Monday. Johnson and the Pirates are now 10-12 in WCL play.
PIRATES 3
Black Bears 1
LONGVIEW — It had a little bit of everything but last night’s West Coast League (WCL) baseball game had one of the more important characteristics the Moses Lake Pirates needed.
Another win.
Behind a strong pitching performance by Leo Rosetti (Pomona College) the Pirates won their third out of four games on this current six-date road trip by knocking off the host Cowlitz Black Bears 3-1 on Monday in front of 753 fans at David Story Field.
With the defending WCL champions Wenatchee Apple Sox idle, the Pirates (11-14 overall, 10-12 in WCL play) moved within 2.5 games of first place in the East Division.
“I’m glad that these guys are taking care of playing the game rather than the outcome of the game,” Pirates coach Steve Keller said. “It’s good to see these guys playing with success and put ourselves in the position to earn a winning road trip. We just need to keep taking care of our business.”
Rosetti (2-2) bounced back from a tough outing last week at Larson Field against Kitsap to lock down and dominate the Black Bears. He went seven complete innings and allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out two. His ERA is down to 2.95.
“I just let myself defense work and the only error was from me,” Rosetti said. “Our defense was real solid and made some plays and that always helps. Then we got the lead and that also helps. Our defense though did a great job.”
Rosetti needed his best stuff as the Cowlitz pitchers did a nice job keeping the recently strong Pirates bats quiet.
“I thought he was great and didn’t change too much,” Keller said. “He was down in the zone a lot and he just did a good job. He understands that baseball is a game where you can get another opportunity. But he also knows you have to play like it’s a Game Seven everyday and went out and prepared very well.”
Moses Lake got out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning when Andrew Rodriguez (San Jose State University) recorded a one-out single then stole second base.
He moved over to third on Austin Shackelford’s (University of Utah) single to put runners on the corners.
Nate Roberts (Seattle University) was then hit by a pitch to load the bases and that’s when Nick Frederick (Pomona College) singled to bring in Rodriguez for a 1-0 Pirates lead.
Then Trent Johnson (University of Utah) hit a single of his own and Shackelford would oblige Moses Lake by sprinting home for the frame’s second run.
“I like seeing the guys walk up with confidence and they see big innings before they happen,” Keller said. “Either with a walk or with moving a guy over. It’s just doing the right thing in the different situations. It’s a pleasure to watch these guys make the right decisions and to play with the confidence they are.”
Cowlitz (5-12) cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning but then the Pirates’ bought themselves a little insurance in their half of the seventh.
Shackelford singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a Roberts ground out, and would score one more batter later when Johnson doubled and Moses Lake led 3-1.
Eric Yardley (Seattle University) pitched the last two innings of relief, striking out two, and allowing no more Cowlitz runs to earn the save.
“The mood is great right now and everything is really coming together,” Shackelford said. “The pitching has been great and the offense is doing pretty well. There’s a good feeling right now but we still have to keep pitching the ball well and our defense. As long as we keep doing that our hitting will do its part. That’s the difference with this turnaround. Once our hitting’s picked up and we started winning some ballgames.”
Tonight they the two teams will go at it again with Scott Birdwell (Vanguard University) set to start for the Pirates, who have made up four games in the East Division standings over the last two weeks.
“The difference is that there isn’t really much of a difference,” Keller said. “It’s sticking to a plan. These guys haven’t really changed much of their mentality or their M.O. They just continue to prepare and get batter in batting practice and between the foul lines. It’s been awesome seeing these guys get rewarded for their preparation for the game.”
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