Chiefs split forces Friday dramatics
Bryton Redal, right, tries to finish off a double play for the Moses Lake Chiefs as he makes the throw to first baseman, Kody Samuels, during their game against Eisenhower yeserday at Larson Field
Moses Lake High School pitcher Mitch Yada fires away during his Chiefs' doubleheader against Eisenhower at Larson Field on Tuesday.
MOSES LAKE - A key doubleheader sweep became a Big 9 split as
the Moses Lake Chiefs' playoff destiny is somewhat in doubt with
two games left to play.
MOSES LAKE 3-10, Eisenhower 5-3
MOSES LAKE - A key doubleheader sweep became a Big 9 split as the Moses Lake Chiefs' playoff destiny is somewhat in doubt with two games left to play.
Yesterday, the Chiefs split two with visiting Eisenhower, winning the second game 10-3 after dropping the opener 5-3 in eight innings.
Friday, Moses Lake (6-12, 3-7), who is in a three-way tie for fourth through sixth places in the Big 9 with Wenatchee and Chiawana, hosts Chiawana at 4 p.m. with a chance to secure a district playoff bid.
Two losses could also knock them out if last place Eisenhower finds a way to win out and the Chiefs do not secure at least one win.
"It should all come down to Friday," Chiefs interim head coach Quintz Whitaker said. "Placing could end be where we could end up fourth to end up in the sixth seed. We don't want to take anything for granted. We control our own destiny from this point."
Yesterday, in game one the Chiefs wasted a strong pitching effort by Mitch Yada, when leading 3-2 with one out in the top of the seventh, an error on a potential game-winning double play, led to Eisenhower tying the game and they would win it one inning later.
Yada finished with a seven-inning pitching performance, striking out six and walking five while throwing a three-hitter.
"Mitch pitched well and that's been the MO," Whitaker said. "It's been situations where we match him up with other top pitchers and our defense has not been his best friend. It's almost like he has to pitch shutouts to get us a win. He's been a bulldog and competitive all season."
Cameron Alvarado went 3-for-4 from the plate, Yada, 2-for-2, and Bryton Redal ended up 2-for-4, for the Chiefs' offense.
In game two, a five-run first inning and nine runs through four innings led to the Chiefs' rout.
Alvarado went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Yada went 2-for-3, as did Redal.