ML Walleyes advance to state

WALLA WALLA - The Moses Lake Walleyes have punched their ticket to the state tournament next weekend.

After two victories over the Kennwick Phantoms and Wenatchee at Walla Walla Community College over the weekend, the Walleyes have locked up the number two seed in their region for the state tournament.

The Walleyes missed out on the district championship and the number one seed in their region after dropping Sunday night's game to Walla Walla 12-1.

Moses Lake 6

Kennwick 2

Hunter Boyd was solid on the bump pitching a complete game and only allowing seven hits and one earned run. Boyd also only walked one and struck out four Kennwick batters.

"Kennewick and the Tri-Cities schools are always good competition," head coach Quintz Whitaker said.

Boyd was able to pitch with a comfortable lead throughout the game as the Walleyes scored four runs in the top of the first inning and two more in the top of the fifth inning.

"[Boyd] stayed in the strike zone and was able to be effective with all his pitches," Whitaker said.

Tyson Karstetter provided run support for Boyd going 2-4 from the plate. Karstetter drove in one run and scored two of his own. His two hits came on a double in the first inning and a single in the fifth.

Kennewick was able to get on the board after an RBI single to make the score 6-1, but the threat was quickly extinguished by Boyd.

Kennewick tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh, however Boyd was able to produce a ground out to end the game.

Walla Walla 16

Moses Lake 1

The first of two games on Saturday didn't start well for the Walleyes as they lost a blowout to Walla Walla.

The team trailed throughout and the wheels fell off in the fourth inning when Walla Walla was able to score 10 runs. The game ended after the Walleyes had a scoreless fifth inning.

Whitaker thought the defense wasn't as solid as usual. An error and a wild pitch contributed to the fourth inning scoring barrage by Walla Walla.

"Defense was a little shaky, but there were a few bad throws putting guys on base," he said. "We've got to be able to back up our pitchers and give them a better chance to get some innings in."

Moses Lake's only run came on an RBI single in the fourth inning from Spencer Vela.

Moses Lake 11

Wenatachee 1

Karstetter starred for the Walleyes pitching a complete game and driving in three runs. On the mound Karstetter baffled Wenatchee allowing one earned run while striking out eight. He helped his own cause by doubling in the fourth inning and homering in the sixth inning.

"[Karstetter's] really swinging the bat real well right now," Whitaker said. "He came out and did a heck of a job yesterday in a game that we had to have in order to advance."

Wenatchee led early after scoring one run in the third, but the Walleyes came back to tie the game in the next inning and took the lead after a four-run fifth inning. Nathan Ball and Kevin Cosper added three hits and two hits, respectively. Boyd drove in a run in the fifth after a single.

The Walleyes end the district tournament with a rematch against Walla Walla and, depending on the outcome, a nightcap against Wenatchee. The Walleyes must win both games in order to be crowned district champions.