Pirates get offensive in win over Kitsap

PIRATES 9

BlueJackets 6

MOSES LAKE — As the Moses Lake Pirates returned home for the beginning of a West Coast League (WCL) three-game series with the Kitsap BlueJackets, the squad continued to find that perfect balance.

Ideally Moses Lake and head coach Steve Keller would wish for outstanding pitching and hitting every night.

Realistically, if one area suffers the Pirates would hope the other would step up and create a competitive balance.

Well it appears that the offense is here to stay at the pitching party for good.

After struggling to score runs the Pirates’ recent hitting improvements continued last night as their bats carried the day in a 9-6 win over Kitsap to help Moses Lake High School alumnus Drew Martin pick up a win despite not having his better stuff this season.

The win came in front of 614 fans at Larson Field.

The Pirates (6-10 in WCL, 7-12 overall) pounded out nine hits and were aided by four Kitsap (10-6) errors as they kick started the series with a resounding win.

“It was great to keep him in the ballgame especially when we would give up a run and then would answer back,” Keller said. “Drew did a good job going six innings and still giving us a chance to win. He didn’t have his best stuff tonight but he did do okay. He gave up a couple of homeruns and had some pitches up. Drew has definitely done his job over his five starts and given us quality innings.”

Kitsap led 1-0 going into the bottom of the second inning where Moses Lake got on the board when Trent Johnson (University of Utah) doubled and would eventually come home on a Nate Roberts (Seattle University) single to tie the game. With two outs Tylor Pavel (Wenatchee Valley College) singled to bring home Roberts and Moses Lake had their first lead, 2-1.

Johnson’s hit came just a few feet short of becoming the first Pirates homerun of the season. Moses Lake remains the only team to not hit a homerun in WCL play.

“A homerun is a rally killer and they are tough to hit behind,” Keller said. “As much as you like to see them in the stats and see them in the stands, it’s quality at-bats that we harp on. A homerun is a hard hit ball and not necessarily a quality at-bat. It will come but we preach quality back-to-back at bats. I think our team is just built for the good inning.”

Kitsap responded with three runs in the top of the third against Martin, who continued to battle away.

Martin finished out his day pitching six innings while allowing five earned runs, walking three, and striking out three. His ERA bumped up to 2.48 on the season.

But Martin (3-1) was able to get the win as the Pirates bats would not let up.

In the Pirates’ fourth inning Moses Lake scored three runs thanks to two Kitsap errors and a wild pitch while Austin Shackelford (University of Utah) got a key RBI single to make the score 5-4.

“For Austin it’s just a pay off due to his approach,” Keller said of Shackelford’s recent hitting surge. “I appreciate watching him come to the park and continue to progress in the game. He’s becoming one of the more sound hitters on the team.”

Shackelford has batted .500 over the team’s last four games.

After Kitsap tied the game at 5-5 in the next frame the Pirates went up for good in the bottom of the sixth with a four-run explosion in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Pavel singled, Andrew Rodriguez (San Jose State University), and Shackelford walked to load the bases with no outs.

Duncan Blades (Salt  Lake CC) then walked to bring home Pavel and Nick Frederick (Pomona College) grounded out as Rodriguez crossed to score and the Pirates went up 7-5.

Johnson then got on thanks to another Kitsap error and Shackelford came around to home and Moses Lake led 8-5.

They scored their final run when Blades scored on Josh Rapacz (George Fox University) fielder’s choice.

Kris Carlson (Wenatchee Valley College) pitched the last three innings in relief of Martin and held Kitsap in check to earn the save.

“It’s definitely nice to win that way since its happened to us before earlier in the season,” Keller said. “A lot of our guys didn’t try to play over their abilities. When they saw a good pitch they went for it but otherwise they were very patient. Kitsap had some mental errors but we did have some quality at-bats and our offensive mentality was there to come out on top.”

NOTES: Pomona College’s Leo Rosetti ( 1-1, 1.52 ERA) is set to start for the Pirates tonight against Kitsap. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m...If the season were to end today the Pirates would qualify for the playoffs as they stand in second place, five games behind the defending WCL champions Wenatchee (11-5)...Tonight is “Free Souvenir Baseball Night,” sponsored by Numerica Credit Union. Free souvenir Pirates baseballs will be given at the gate while supplies last. Pirates players will be available after the game to sign the baseballs. Also there will be ice cream bars on sale for $1...After 10 WCL games at Larson Field, the Pirates are averaging 672 fans per outing. That number is good for sixth place in the WCL which is averaging 867 fans per contest. Walla Walla leads with an average of 1,477 per game.