Pirates find way to pull out win

by Alan Dale<br> Herald Sports Editor
| July 21, 2010 1:00 PM

MOSES LAKE — Take away the Moses Lake Pirates’ bats and what does one get?

Another Pirate victory.

One night removed from blasting a season-high 13 runs in a 10-run win over the Bend Elks on Monday night, the Moses Lake Pirates struggled to scratch out three hits yesterday evening at Larson Field and yet still came away 3-2 victors in a tight West Coast League (WCL) baseball contest that wouldn’t be decided until the last at bat.

MOSES LAKE — Take away the Moses Lake Pirates’ bats and what does one get?

Another Pirate victory.

The win gave Moses Lake a 3-2 season series lead on the WCL West Division leading Elks (24-12) and can sweep the current three-game set tonight.

If current WCL standings hold form until the end of the regular season two weeks from now, the two teams would be paired up in the semifinal round of the playoffs.

“It’s very big to show we can beat teams in front of us,” Pirates head coach Steve Keller said. “It doesn’t get any easier but it’s good to help build the team’s confidence.”

The Pirates (20-18 overall, 16-16 in WCL play) were given a big boost from the pitching of Nathan Johnson (Whitworth University).

The right-handed threw a complete game for the win and in doing so struck out 14 Bend batters while walking none.

He allowed one earned run while scattering four hits.

Not bad for Johnson’s first start of the season, as his record now stands at 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA.

“It was a big league performance,” Keller said. “He held on to his slider until the third time through the order. He went through the lineup the first two times with fastball and change-up. His confidence just grew and he was pretty impressive tonight.”

The Pirates scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead back from Bend who scored in their first at bats.

Nick Frederick (Pomona College) got on base after a fielder’s choice and would score two batters later on a Nate Roberts (Seattle University) single.

Joe Huwer (Wenatchee Valley College) who had got on base after a third-baseman error earlier would score on a Tylor Pavel (Wenatchee Valley College) ground out and the Pirates would take that lead into the top of the ninth.

Bend got to Johnson in that half of the frame to set up the Pirates’ winning rally.

Frederick walked with one out advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and subsequent error.

Roberts then brought Frederick home with a game-winning sacrifice fly.

Tonight the series wraps up with Jordan Whitman (Cal Poly Pomona) taking the mound for Moses Lake with the first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m on Free Mini Bat Night.