Chiefs Softball drops game to Chiawana
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake looked to be the odds on favorite to advance in a district loser out game against Chiawana Thursday. After all, the Chiefs were the higher seed and playing in front of their home crowd at Larson Field.
Moses Lake had just swept a twin bill from the Riverhawks at home the week prior as well. But when the most important game of the season was on the line, the Chiefs were unable to handle the pressure and dropped the contest 13-8. The loss eliminated Moses Lake from postseason play.
"It's real hard to beat a team three times in a row," coach Dave Gregory said. "But quite frankly, I think we got caught looking past them and were thinking about playing Richland next."
Moses Lake dug itself a hole early as the team trailed 6-0 after three innings. The Chiefs were down 8-0 after the fourth, but scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to make a game of it 8-3. The Riverhawks stretched their lead to 9-3 in the top of the sixth. Moses Lake finally got the big inning it was looking for as the Chiefs scored five runs in the bottom of the frame to close the gap to 9-8.
But Chiawana responded with four runs in the top of seventh to which the Chiefs had no answer for, and lost the game by five, 13-8.
"It seemed like we just couldn't get any breaks on the close plays in the game," Gregory said. "It took us a while to figure out their pitcher, and when we finally did, we hit the ball right at someone for an out."
Hailee Bishop was the big stick for the Chiefs going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs. Haylee Van Laethem who was on the bump and took the loss for Moses Lake, had two hits in four at bats. Jazmynn Jesse added a home run for the Chiefs in the sixth inning.
Despite the early exit from postseason play, Gregory said the season was a success.
"We made a lot of strides ... improved a lot over last season," he said. "We are only losing one player to graduation and are returning seven starters, so I am encouraged and looking forward to next season."