Walleyes break two-game losing streak

MOSES LAKE - The Walleyes snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-4 win at over Yakima Valley at Larson Field last night. The victory gives Moses Lake a momentum boost heading into the district playoffs this weekend, after dropping both games of a twin bill on the road at Yakima Monday.

"This was a nice win for us," coach Quintz Whitaker said. "We definitely needed to get the losses out of our hair going into the district tournament this weekend."

Walleyes 5

Yakima 4

The Walleyes broke open a 0-0 score with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Kevin Cosper and Hunter Boyd drew back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second with no outs. Ryan Pena was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Then up stepped Derek Crum, who singled to center to drive in Cosper and Boyd, and move Pena to third base. Jared Haddican fanned for the first out. Pena then stole home to post the third run of the inning. Spencer Vela and Nathan Ball stuck out to end the Walleyes at bat.

Yakima Valley threatened with two men on base in the top of the third, but was unable to bring a runner home and the score remained the same, 3-0, Moses Lake.

Neither team scored in the fourth as both went down in order. But a two-out rally for Yakima in the top of the fifth tied the game, 3-3. Two of the runs were unearned.

The Walleyes regained the lead, 5-3 with two runs in the bottom of the frame. But Yakima got a run back in the top of the sixth to get within one, 5-4.

It looked as though Yakima would tie the game or possibly take the lead in the top of the ninth as they had a runner on second with one out. But closer Blake Springer got the next two Yakima batters to fly out to end the game.

Anthony Longmire got the start for the Walleyes and went five innings to pick up the win. Carson Fisk came on for Longmire and pitched three strong innings of relief. Springer closed out the ninth to earn the save.

"All three of our guys pitched well against a good team today," Whitaker said. "We haven't played a lot of close games this summer, which was a real concern of mine. So it was good for us to have this type of game. It was the first save we recorded this season."

The Walleyes dropped both game of a doubleheader on the road to Yakima Monday. Moses Lake lost the first game, 5-2, and was shutout 2-0 in a pitchers duel in the night cap. Hunter Boyd was hit with the loss in Game 1. Kevin Cosper went the distance in Game 2, giving up two runs off six hits in the loss.

The Walleyes are back in action Friday when the team travels to Walla Walla Community College for the first round of the district tournament.

Their opponent is yet to be determined, but Whitaker thinks it will be either Richland or Hanford. The game is scheduled to start a 5 p.m.

"I think we have a pretty good chance of earning a state berth," Whitaker said. "We've played a lot of tough games on the tail end of our schedule so that should bode well for us."

The top two teams in bracket play move on.