Moses Lake takes doubleheader

MOSES LAKE - The Chiefs extended their win streak to six games in Columbia Basin Big Nine league play with a twin killing over Sunnyside at home Friday.

Moses Lake shut out the Grizzlies 15-0 in game one, then broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning to come away with a win in game two.

"We came out with our hitting shoes on in game one," coach Quintz Whitaker said. "It was nice to piece together some really good at bats.  Squaring the ball up is something we work on daily in our drills and we saw those efforts paying off in this game."

Moses Lake 15

Sunnyside 0

Hunter Boyd pitched 5 innings of 1-hit ball while striking out six Grizzlies, and his mates gave him all the run support he needed as the team scored 15 runs off 11 hits in the shutout win in game one of the doubleheader.

The game was scoreless for the first inning and a half. But the Chiefs bats came alive in the bottom of the second as Moses Lake posted 2 runs on the board.

The team added 5 runs in the bottom of the third to make it 7-0, then exploded for 8 runs in the fourth inning to win in a cake walk. 

Brad Fox had the hot stick for the Chiefs, going 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and 2 runs scored. Elliot Sage had 2 hits in 3 at bats, Drew Loera was 1-for-2 with a double, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored, and Colton Kelly finished with 1 hit in 3 plate appearances with a home run in the win.

"Hunter was again very solid on the mound.  He was aggressive with his pitches and got ahead so he could use his breaking ball in all counts. It was a great performance," Whitaker said. "It was (also) great to see Colton, Drew, Brad, Gunner (Raymond) Trino (Rubio) and Jordan (Hooper) driving the ball and finding some gaps in the outfield." 

Moses Lake 4

Sunnyside 3

The Chiefs put a run on the board in the bottom of the first, second and third inning of play to go up 3-0. The lead held up until Sunnyside brought 3 runs home in the top of the seventh to tie the game 3-3. Moses Lake, not about to let the game slip away, answered back with a run with two outs in the bottom of the frame to pull out the win, 4-3.

"The seventh inning for us was text book.  It's exactly the way we want to execute as a team," Whitaker said. "Rubio had a good at bat making the pitcher work, drawing a walk.  He moved to second on a wild pitch on a bunt attempt.  Nick Bailey moved him over to third on a perfect sacrifice.  Brett Moser then put some pressure on them by laying down a great safety squeeze giving us runners on first and third. They intentionally walked Brad Fox to load the bases and that brought up Colton Kelly. He was able to hit a liner to center for a sac fly to get the final run.  It was a well played game by both teams." 

Hector Zavala got the start for the Chiefs and pitched five solid innings of 1-hit ball. Chase Tunstall came on for 2 innings of relief to pick up the win

"Hector was a competitor for us tonight (Friday)," Whitaker said. "He did a phenomenal job of battling despite some adversities ... a real gutty performance." 

The wins over the Grizzlies runs Moses Lake's record to 6-0 in league play and 9-2 overall, and keeps the Chiefs in a three-way tie with Eastmont and Wenatchee.

"Overall we are exactly where we need to be.  We have some goals as a team and those goals are within our grasp," Whitaker said. "The league will shake out over these next three weeks, so things are going to get interesting. This week we've got to continue improving our quality of at bats and execution.  Hopefully the boys got a chance to see how executing and taking what the defense gives you is an important part of a quality baseball team."

The Chiefs are back on the diamond tomorrow when the team hosts Eisenhower for a single game at Larson Field. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.