Lofty goals part of Chiefs' master plan
MOSES LAKE — With four state trophies on his resume, coach Dave Gregory enters his second decade as the Moses Lake coach with high hopes of maybe another run at the Class 4A elite.
Following up on his team’s 14-6 finish and 10-2 Big 9 mark in 2009, Moses Lake plans to build on the league title, and regional appearance it experienced.
“We have a chance to do very well this year because we’ve been playing together a long time and we’re very good friends,” senior pitcher Karly Stoltman said. “That helps because you know where everyone is and you can communicate so much better.”
Communication will be one of the strengths of a team which returns a strong senior class that was six outs from going to state and that motivation alone could key the Chiefs’ run.
“On paper we were one of the best teams in state but paper has never won a game,” Gregory said. “We have high hopes for this team. They saw how close we were to state and they want it bad. Last year we were predicted to take fourth in league and we were co-champs. Nobody will over look us this year and everybody will be gunning to take us down.”
Stoltman will be one of the keys for the squad as she returns off of an All-Big 9 season as a pitcher, as she went 13-6 and recorded 134 strike outs with a 2.98 ERA.
She also batted to the tune of a .545 on-base percentage.
Lacy Padilla returns to play second base after playing shortstop in 2009. Gregory believes she can maintain her .541 OB pct. pace and help be an offensive catalyst.
Leftfielder Vela will also double-up as a catcher and Baiely Richie comes back with a streak of not striking out last season she will hope to continue.
Jessica McIntyre’s big bat is back as well after hitting .478 last season with a .616 OB pct. and 35 RBIs.
“This season I feel like we’re going to do well if we play to our potential,” McIntyre said. “We also have a lot of seniors and we’ve all been playing together a long time and were on varsity last year as starters. Sticking together will keep us bonded this year.”
Other key returnees are Holly Perry, Kylie Martinez and Katie Martinez who all contributed during the Chiefs’ regional run last year.
“Our goals this year just like any year for any program is to win a state championship,” Gregory said. “Our conference is tough and Spokane will have University, Central Valley and also Mead who will all be challengers for state.”
McIntyre believes the Chiefs have the recipe for a state bid.
“We have to put all of our effort forth in everything we do,” McIntyre said. “We have to not stop at the point where we think we should and we need to push ourselves to the max.”
Moses Lake began play on Saturday with a resounding 16-0, 13-2 sweep of Chiawana at Larson Field.
MOSES LAKE CHIEFS
Head Coach: Dave Gregory
2009 Record: 14-6 overall, 10-2 in Big 9
2009 Post Season: Regional appearance, Fourth place at Districts
Roster: Lacy Padilla, Candice Vela, Jessica McIntyre, Emeli Iturrios, Marina Rubio, Karly Stoltman, and Bailey Ritchie, juniors Tasha Gentry, Katie Martinez, Kylie Martinez, Cassandra Guerrero, Holly Perry, Taylor Richardsen, and Kayla Bernsen, and freshmen Haylie Van Laether.