Chiefs softball sweeps behind varying results
MOSES LAKE - They are just a feisty little bunch, this Moses Lake softball team.
The Chiefs (6-2) started off their doubleheader yesterday against Eastmont flat but ended proceedings on fire and left Larson Field with 3-1 and 15-7 wins to earn the sweep.
In the opener, Moses Lake was undone early by a number of base running errors as four players where thrown out on the base paths.
Still behind a strong pitching performance by Haylie VanLaethem the Chiefs were still within striking range of a win.
VanLaethem would end up with a complete game win, striking out seven while allowing only two hits.
"It was a great game for her," Moses Lake head coach Dave Gregory said of VanLaethem. "She was hitting her spots and she got by because her changeup wasn't working. She pitched a real good game because she wasn't getting the run support she needed."
Despite their offensive woes, the Chiefs took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Holly Perry bunted home Brianna Valdez, who was pitch running for VanLaethem and Moses Lake led 1-0. The Chiefs started the inning with two walks.
Eastmont evened things up in the top of the third, 1-1, and the teams would exchange blanks until the Chiefs found a way to win once again.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Tasha Gentry led off with a single and stole second base. VanLaethem walked and Alex Jones doubled home Gentry for a 2-1 Moses Lake lead.
Perry then squeezed home Valdez and it was 3-1 Chiefs.
"We just couldn't get going offensively," Gregory said. "Our bats weren't ready to come out of the gate swinging. But also their girl was a little wild and so we could never get set. It was a combination of things. But this team is scrappy and keep at it and showed that in the sixth inning."
In the nightcap the Chiefs' bats finally came alive and in turn buried their guests from East Wenatchee.
Early on Eastmont did hold a 3-1 lead before the bottom of the third inning until the fireworks started.
Gentry would pound out a three-run home run to give her team a 4-3 lead.
The Chiefs would surrender the lead back as Eastmont got to VanLaethem in the top of the fourth to go up 7-4.
"She ran out of gas and they teed off on her in those two innings," Gregory said of the third and fourth Eastmont frames. "I just left her in way too long. Our number two pitcher has a pulled thigh muscle and in this game with the cold weather. But she pitched lights out."
That number two was Sadie Smigaj who came in and threw three scoreless innings, scattering four hits, to earn the win.
Eastmont's lead was short-lived as Moses Lake erupted for six runs in the bottom half of the fourth and the rains that blew through Moses Lake had a splash of Chiefs power added to them.
"I think what got us all fired up was Tasha's homer," Gregory said. "After that it was lights out and we started crushing the ball. But we should be doing that all the time. We turned it up a notch."
Cassandra Guerrero finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI, Gentry went 3-for-4, with three runs scored and her home run, while Jones ended up 2-for-3 with three
"It's still non-league so we got everyone to play and they are all, all 14 of them contributing," Gregory said. "There are no superstars on the team. This is one of the more fun teams I've had. We are always joking and they are always making fun of me, it's a lot of fun. Everybody gets along and it's great chemistry."