Walleyes split two at home, continue improved play

MOSES LAKE - Behind a Saturday split against Wenatchee, the Moses Lake Walleyes have now won three out of their last four games in American Legion play.

The Walleyes (7-15, 6-10), lost the opener 11-4 at Larson Field before taking game two, 6-3, to continue making progress as the post season beckons.

This split comes on the heels of a 10-7, 7-4 sweep of Eastmont on Thursday at Larson Field as well.

""We pulled it together after the first game against Wenatchee," Walleyes coach Quintz Whitaker said. "We are working on giving a more consistent effort.  It's one of those things that these guys are getting better at.  They just need to make sure the are giving their best no matter the opponent."

Mason Mathews earned the win with a 4.1 inning performance which included a strike out and the scattering of two hits around four walks.

"Mason threw well for us," Whitaker said. "It was his first start this season and he did a great job of changing speeds and getting ahead in the count."

Brad Fox closed out the game by facing the 13 batters and earned the save by keeping Wenatchee out of reach.

Gunner Raymond, Hector Zavala, and Colton Kelly all had two hits apiece for the Walleyes who ended up with eight hits total.

In the loss, Moses Lake gave up 11 hits and committed four errors.

Wenatchee led 5-0 after two full innings of play and after the Walleyes cut the gap to 5-3, the visitors erupted in the top half of the fourth while pushing five runs across the plate for a 10-3 lead.

"We just didn't bring it to start the game," Whitaker said. "We really seemed to be just going through the motions.  I think we had a big let down coming off the league games from Thursday.  It takes mental toughness to be able to give the effort each time out.  It's something we will get it figured out."

Despite the loss, the Walleyes did see a good pitching performance from Chase Tunstall.

Tunstall pitched four innings in relief and gave up one earned run while striking out two and giving up four hits.

"Chase looked good on the mound," Whitaker said. "He was able to induce a couple of double play ground balls and keep us in the ball game.  However we just couldn't get the bats going."

Mathews and Kelly each had two hits to lead the Walleyes' offense.