Moses Lake's baseball season ends in loss

RICHLAND — It may have not been the most ideal way to end their season but the Moses Lake baseball team has nothing to be down about.

Following their 10-2 loss to Kamiakan yesterday, the Chiefs’ season ended in the Big 9 District playoffs loser-out game but just being there was reward in itself.

Struggling during the first month of the season the Chiefs found their way into the playoffs with a late 7-2 push which including a dramatic come-from-behind 10-9 victory over Davis Friday to set up their Tuesday matchup.

From a 2-9 start to a playoff berth, coach Ed McNamara said he was pleased with how his team came around this season.

“The guys just shored up their defense and the kids started playing better,” McNamara said. “The pitching improved and we played really well down the stretch. After the first of the season just making the playoffs was a far cry and a tough go. But they kept battling and I am proud and amazed at what they did. They never gave up.”

Yesterday the Chiefs (9-12) were undone by a strong Kamiakin hitting attack which broke out for five runs in the first inning and three in second to build a comfortable 8-1 lead early.

In the top of the second, Moses Lake’s Cameron Alvarado walked and moved to third on a Kamiakin error leading to Nick Dodds’ RBI single that brought him in, making the score 5-1.

Two at-bats later, the Chiefs scored again when Dodds walked and Garrett Greninger doubled to bring the runner across and that cut the deficit to 8-2.

However from that point on the Moses Lake offense stalled and Kamiakan was able to hold on for the win.

The Chiefs were held to only four hits on the afternoon as they could not overcome the early Kamiakan onslaught.

“That pretty much put a damper on things,” McNamara said. “Their pitchers dealt it pretty good. They recorded nine strikeouts on our batters and our top six guys in the lineup didn’t get a hit.”