Chiefs split with Wildcats

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake High School baseball picked up a crucial win in doubleheader action at home against Eastmont Friday.

The Chiefs dropped game one, 1-0, but bounced back in game two, 4-2, to maintain a one-game lead in the Columbia Basin Big Nine standings with three left in the regular season.

"Game one was a real pitchers duel. Hector Zavala got the start for us and had one of his better outings of the seasons, He had great stuff on the mound ... had a good slider working and they had trouble hitting him," coach Quintz Whitaker said. "I was proud of the way the guys fought back in the second game. It would have been easy for them to get down after a close loss, but they did a good job of rallying and came back to win it. "

Zavala pitched seven solid innings, giving up one run off five hits, while fanning three Wildcats. Chase Tunstall gave up two runs off seven hits and struck out three Eastmont batters to get the win in game two.

The split with Eastmont improves the Chiefs to 10-2 in league play, and 13-4 overall and sets up a three game showdown with Wenatchee (9-1, 13-2) this week for the Big 9 title.

"This (the split) puts us in a good spot and gives us a chance to reach our goal as we face off in games that really matter," Whitaker said. "We go to Wenatchee Tuesday, then host a doubleheader with them Friday. It would be nice to see the stands full as we hopefully fight for the league championship."